TWO Monmouthshire headteachers are “delighted” with a £71.8 million investment to build new schools for 2016.

The Monmouth schools project is a £36.9 million investment which will see a new school built for Monmouth Comprehensive and renovation works for its eight feeder primaries.

The secondary school which holds 1,600 pupils will receive an investment of £33 million and the feeder primaries – which include Cross Ash, Kymin View, Llandogo, Osbaston, Overmonnow, Raglan VC, Usk VC and Trellech primaries – an investment of £3.9 million.

Vaughan Davies, headteacher at Monmouth Comprehensive, said: “We are absolutely delighted with this investment for the students and the community. We are all really excited. It is just fantastic. There has been investment in the school by us as well as Monmouthshire council but it is oversubscribed. Hopefully this will meet the need of students in this big rural community.”

The school has a range of 20th century buildings, from its original, built in 1903, to the most modern, built in 2000.

The Caldicot school project will receive £34.9 million, including £31 million for Caldicot Secondary School which has 1,500 pupils, and £3.9 million refurbishment for its eight feeder primaries.

These are Castle Park, Dewstow, Durand, Magor VA, Rogiet, Undy, Ysgol Y Fin and the Arch Bishop Rowan Williams primary schools.

Susan Gwyer-Roberts, headteacher at Caldicot School, said: “This investment will not only enhance school facilities but will enrich the lives of members of the local community who share these facilities.”

Monmouthshire council approved the 21st century schools programme earlier this month. It is a joint initiative between the Welsh Government and local authorities to improve the standards of schools in Wales. The two new secondary schools are set to open in July 2016.