WREXHAM'S new school, Ysgol Maes y Mynydd in Rhos, welcomed Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Hutt, to its official opening.

The 360-place school opened in September following a £2.9m refurbishment which saw the amalgamation of three schools – Ysgol y Rhos, Ysgol y Wern and Ysgol Ponciau – and marked the end of a £6.9m project to reorganise primary education in the Rhos area.

The reorganisation also saw opening of new Welsh medium school, Ysgol ID Hooson, built on the former Pant Brickworks site in the village last September.

Ysgol Maes y Mynydd has been built to the same high standards offering first class facilities and has the same eco-friendly theme with a ground source heat pump that draws heat from the earth to provide heating and hot water as well as solar panels on the roof tops.

Leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Aled Roberts said: “Ysgol Maes Y Mynydd is our newest showcase school in Wrexham improving the quality of education for young people. This is a priority for the council and Rhos can now boast primary facilities that are second to none.

“I should like to thank pupils, staff, governors and their families for their hard work in ensuring the school’s opening weeks have been such a success.”

Jan Rowlands, headteacher, said staff and pupils are extremely pleased with the new facilities.

Minister for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Jane Hutt, added: “Since 2002, 1,724 projects have received Assembly Government School Buildings Improvement Grant. Building new schools fit for a sustainable future is a top priority for the Welsh Assembly Government – and we all have a role to play in the climate change challenge.

“If a school building in itself can become a symbol of responsible attitudes towards conserving natural resources, then the message will filter throughout the classrooms and the playground, becoming a natural part of every day life.”