Education other than at school (EOTAS) project
This project is jointly funded by Welsh Government's 21st century schools and colleges programme and Swansea Council.
We are implementing plans to transform education for some of Swansea's most vulnerable young people and dramatically improve their life chances. Swansea Council has been given the go-ahead to build the new Swansea Pupil Referral Unit (PRU) on land at the rear of Cockett House and work is now progressing in conjunction with the appointed contractor to deliver the new school build so that it is open to pupils in Spring 2021.
The project includes:
New accommodation for the pupil referral unit, which will provide:
- improved well-being of learners and staff;
- buildings and facilities fit for the 21st century;
- a broader, more effective curriculum;
- improved academic and wider outcomes for learners;
- a number of the existing buildings will be demolished.
Progress update - November 2020
- Brickwork to main building completed in June 2020.
- Roof works completed in June 2020.
- Retaining walls completed in September 2020.
- Service installations completed in October 2020.
A summary of the key milestones for the project is below.
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-construction phase | |
| Head of Swansea PRU appointed | December 2016 |
| Consultation commenced | January 2017 |
| Feasibility and design for accommodation commissioned | January 2017 |
| Head of Swansea PRU commences duties | April 2017 |
| Swansea PRU Senior Leadership Team (SLT) positions advertised | May 2017 |
| Support team posts advertised | May 2017 |
| Remaining support team posts appointed | May 2017 |
| SLT and remaining support team posts commence duties | August 2017 |
| Begin implementation of new service model | September 2017 |
| Proceed to planning application for new accommodation subject to outcome of feasibility/design | October 2017 |
| Construction procurement period | July - September 2018 |
| Welsh Government approval of the Full Business Case (FBC) | October 2018 |
| Construction phase | |
| Demolition and construction works commence | January - March 2019 |
| Construction completion | December 2020 |
| Facility opens to pupils | January 2021 |
Education other than at school (EOTAS) - project team
| Name | Job title |
|---|---|
| Amanda Taylor | Head of Swansea PRU |
| Alayne Smith | School Business Case Development Manager |
| Stuart Page | Project Support Officer |
| Darrel Barnes | Architectural Design Manager |
| Antony Davies / Charlotte Balcombe | Design Architect - Powell Dobson Architects |
| Nigel Hawkins | Projects and Procurement Manager / Senior Quantity Surveyor |
| Peter Rogers | CDM Construction Officer |
| Jason Bowen | Project Manager, Kier Western Ltd |
Community benefits
The council is committed to supporting local firms and creating jobs for local people. During the works, the principal contractor will use local suppliers, where possible, for materials and products. Contractors will be encouraged to employ local workers and offer work experience to unemployed young people.
Pupil engagement
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) engagement will form an integral part of the project. the contractor and council will work together to support learning opportunities throughout the build project.
Community projects
As part of the project the contractor will be expected to support local initiatives in the area. Further details on this will be provided as the project progresses.