Gorseinon Primary School
Future proof school designed to accommodate increasing pupil number and curriculum development
The project involved the design and construction of a new single-storey primary school at Parc y Wern, Gorseinon, successfully delivered as a design and build contract. The scheme provides a modern 1.5 Form Entry facility for 315 pupils, comprising 11 classrooms alongside shared communal spaces, administrative areas, and external learning environments.
To ensure future adaptability, the school has been strategically designed to accommodate future expansion to a full 2 Form Entry (420 pupils). The layout allows for the seamless addition of three further classrooms and associated circulation space, ensuring long-term flexibility and value for the local authority.
The first phase of the project focused on the creation of a new play area just outside the school boundary, complete with new play equipment. Once completed, construction commenced on the 2,761 sqm single-storey school building, followed by the delivery of a 2G sports pitch and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), both of which are accessible to community groups and local sports teams.
Sustainability was a key design driver, with the school supporting Swansea Council’s Carbon Reduction Strategy through a range of “low carbon” design principles. Key features include:
Effective solar shading to mitigate passive heat gain
Natural ventilation throughout the main teaching spaces
Maximised use of daylight to reduce reliance on artificial lighting
Heat recovery systems
High-performance building fabric to minimise thermal loss
Stakeholder collaboration was central to the success of the project. As part of a comprehensive Stakeholder Engagement Plan, we worked closely with Swansea Council, the Head Teacher, and the school’s Leadership Group. This included site visits to other local schools to evaluate and learn from existing designs—an approach that helped inform key decisions and supported a smooth transition into the new school environment. The process fostered a highly collaborative relationship between all stakeholders and ensured the final design met the needs and aspirations of the school community.
As a school we have felt part of the team from the word go, working with Andrew Scott and Swansea Council to put forward ideas for our new school. We have been provided with great visuals and visited other local new build schools which has been a great help to look at what will work for us, in particular the learning street. The Andrew Scott team have also engaged with the pupils, providing information about the build process, holding assemblies and site visits to keep the pupils interested and excited for their new school.
Jason Dodd - Gorseinon Primary School Head