Education in the round

It's blast off for the new Pen Afan school in Abergwynfi in the Afan Valley as it opens its doors to pupils for the very first time on Monday 7 September!

The school has been dubbed the "spaceship school" because of its state of the art design based on 'pods' or circular classrooms.

The school, which is home to more than 100 pupils, has cost £5.4M, the majority of which (£3.8M) was funded by a Welsh Assembly Government Grant.

Councillor Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council said: "Improving our schools and giving our young people the best possible start in life is one of our top priorities. Our children deserve first class facilities offering them better opportunities to make their way through life. This investment goes a long way towards regenerating our valley communities.

Pupils and the local community will benefit from the very latest hi-tech facilities to meet the needs of the modern teaching curriculum.

Karl Napieralla, the Council's Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning said: "This futuristic facility is an exciting development which will stimulate and inspire lifelong learning for the whole community."

The circular classrooms have been designed to let in natural light and fresh-air and will be designed to minimise the effect of solar glare on teachers and pupils.

The school will be as energy efficient as possible and features underfloor heating throughout, along with automatic temperature controlled windows.

As a community school it will not only benefit pupils but also families in the area as it will provide facilities during evenings and weekends.Lynwen Davies, Pen Afan's Headteacher said: "This is a groundbreaking school which is a source of pride for the youngest through to the oldest member of the community."

Photograph: Karl Napieralla, Headteacher Lynwen Davies, Chair of Governors Gwyn Williams with school pupils.