WORKS have now been fully completed at Christ the Word Catholic School in Rhyl.

The new school, which opened in September 2019, has replaced Ysgol Mair primary school and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic high school.

The works have seen the car park and pedestrian access arrangements completed and a new grass football pitch at the front of the site, although this will remain off limits until the grass is well established and can be brought into use.

The school also has access to an all-weather pitch and a number of hard play courts.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, the council’s lead member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement, said: “It’s great to see this project reaching its completion.“The facilities at the school are superb and fit for 21st Century learning - a building that pupils and staff should be proud of.

“I wish all the pupils and staff the best for the future. Supporting young people is a priority for the council under our corporate plan and so far more than £90 million has been invested in Denbighshire’s schools which has seen more than 3,500 pupils benefit from improved facilities.”

The school is part of the Diocese of Wrexham provision and caters for 420 full time pupils aged 3-11 and 500 pupils aged 11-16.

The works have been completed by Kier Construction with the last parts of the external works being progressed under Covid-19 safe working practices.

The Rt Rev’d Peter M. Brignall, Bishop of Wrexham said: “Almost two years to the day since ‘cutting the turf’ and announcing the name of the new school in Rhyl as ‘Christ the Word’ I am delighted to celebrate the full hand over of the School and to express my gratitude to all who have made this possible especially our partners in Denbighshire County Council’s Education department and Welsh Government.

“Thanks to all involved in the planning, design and construction of this first class school building and facilities.

“Most importantly thanks to the children and young people, their families and the teachers who have lived and worked through the inevitable disruption during the building stage.

“It is they who are the true foundation of this flagship school and the ones who have shown and kept faith in this vanguard in schools for the Catholic Church and the people of Denbighshire.

“With Christ at the centre, this new school is superbly placed to provide the very best education, learning and life opportunities in these challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic and beyond to the children and young people of Denbighshire; they and all associated with Christ the Word have my best wishes, support and prayers.”

The project was funded in partnership by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools Programme.