A CEREMONY to mark the official start of work on Newport’s first Welsh language secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, took place yesterday.

The city’s mayor, Councillor David Atwell, led the ground-breaking on the site in Duffryn, accompanied by students, teachers and governors.

The Welsh school is being built adjacent to the existing Duffryn High which is being refurbished and extended as it becomes John Frost School in September.

Councillor Atwell was joined at the site by Rhian Dafydd, head teacher at Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed and Duffryn High head teacher Jon Wilson.

Pupils from Duffryn High and Welsh medium feeder primary schools at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon, Ysgol Gymraeg Casnewydd, Ysgol Gymraeg Ifor Hael and Ysgol Gymraeg Y Ffin were also in attendance.

Councillor Atwell said at the ceremony: “Every child in this city deserves the best possible start in life. The improvements to John Frost School and the purpose built Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed, will provide the best possible facilities fostering pride and enthusiasm in our students.”

Newport City Council approved plans for the new Welsh medium secondary school in May this year.

The approved plans include an extension to the existing Duffryn High, with the new school having its own buildings and grounds.

The school, which is set to open in September 2018, will deliver up to 900 school places in future years to meet growing demand for Welsh medium secondary education in the area.

From September 2016, while construction work is ongoing, pupils of the new school will be temporarily housed in part of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Teyrnon in Brynglas, one of Newport’s three Welsh medium primary schools.

The new school is being funded by the 21st Century Schools programme as a joint enterprise through Welsh Government, Newport City Council and Monmouthshire County Council, providing secondary school places for both local authorities.