Anglesey £66m school plans pass latest test

The issuing of a statutory notice by the island’s local authority progresses the development of the 900-pupil school for 11- to 18-year-olds, set to replace the existing Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi in Holyhead.

If approved, the £66m facility would be constructed on 7.8 acres by Holyhead Leisure Centre, subject to the successful procurement of the land.

A target opening date has been set for September 2030. The school would have a capacity for 750 pupils in years 7-11, and a further 150 spaces for post-16 provision.

The slight cut in numbers would remove 29% of surplus places and address the lack of suitable playing fields for learners, which would be included as part of the new scheme.

Up to £60.7m of the cost of the building would be funded by the Welsh government and the county council, through a mutual investment model, which has yet to be established.

The remaining £5.2m would be financed through the county council’s capital and the Welsh government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning fund.

According to the statutory notice, the construction of the new building would mean the county council could avoid paying the estimated more than £29m maintenance cost of the existing facility.

In addition, a direct replacement would help mitigate the discovery of Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete, which plagues around 30% of the school.

Currently, there are 1,170 pupils attending the school. The proposed capacity of the new school building will decrease to 900, allowing for a more productive teaching environment.

The issuing of the notice has kick-started a 28-day statutory objection period, which is to last until 3 December.

Anglesey County Council’s executive will consider the report in January 2026 before it is submitted to Welsh Ministers for a final determination by March 2026.

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Aaron Evans, director of education, skills, and young people at Anglesey County Council, said: “Creating a modern, purpose-built school building for Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi represents a major investment in education in Caergybi and its catchment area.

“This project would secure the long-term sustainability of secondary education locally and provide specialist learning spaces of the highest standard.

“Such a facility will help ensure the best possible experiences and outcomes for our young people, while fully supporting the aims of the county council’s Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy.”

Cllr Dafydd Roberts, education and Welsh language portfolio holder for Anglesey County Council, added: “The publication of the statutory notice marks an important milestone in our proposal to provide high-quality, sustainable education for young people in Caergybi.

“A modern learning environment at Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi would ensure that pupils have access to the best facilities and opportunities available.”

He added: “This proposal directly supports one of the county council’s key strategic aims – education – by helping to ensure effective provision today and long into the future.”