Official Opening of new £4 million Ysgol Cae Top

The new £4 million Ysgol Cae Top in Bangor has been officially opened by former Wales and Lions rugby star, Robin McBride and Gwynedd Council Chairman, Councillor Anne Lloyd-Jones.

Over 200 pupils attend the brand-new Ysgol Cae Top which boasts a wide-range of modern facilities including a purpose-built IT suite, libraries, music room, playground, nursery and community club room.

Gwynedd Council Chairman, Councillor Anne Lloyd-Jones said:

“The new state-of-the-art Ysgol Cae Top creates a totally modern facility fit to meet the educational requirements of the 21st century. The new school is located in an area of particular ecological interest, and the building has been designed accordingly.”

Robin McBride, who is now an integral part of the Wales rugby coaching team, has strong links to the Bangor primary school where his late father John McBride was a former headteacher. Speaking at the official opening, Robin said he was delighted to open Ysgol Cae Top’s brand-new home.

“It’s a huge honour for me to be here today to be part of the official opening of the new Ysgol Cae Top. The family connections with school go back decades, with myself and my sisters former pupils, but probably most notably with my father being a former headteacher.

“During his time at Ysgol Cae Top, he was forthright in his efforts to secure a new school, and I’m sure that he would be very happy to see that it actually has happened. My father was always keen to ensure that every child has every opportunity in life, and this fantastic new Ysgol Cae Top will mean that its pupils won’t miss out on anything.

“I’d like to thank the school governors, Gwynedd Council and Rhys Hughes the headteacher for the privilege of being part of this important day. I wish the school, its staff and pupils all the very best for the future.”

The former Ysgol Cae Top - which had served thousands of Bangor’s youngsters since the 1870s – was previously located in a Victorian building. In contrast, the new school boasts cutting edge green technology such as sonar panels, geothermal heating, wind-turbines and a system to collect and re-use rain water.

Local Gwynedd Councillor for the Glyder ward in Bangor, Dai Rees Jones added:

“I’m absolutely delighted to see the new Ysgol Cae Top officially opened. This modern school provides an invaluable facility for the pupils and staff, as well as providing an important focus for our local community.”

As part of the ceremony, the school was blessed by The Bishop of Bangor, Right Revd. Andrew John.

Photograph: Gwynedd Council Chairman, Councillor Anne Lloyd-Jones; Robin McBride and The Bishop of Bangor, Right Revd. Andrew John at the official opening