A “FANTASTIC” new school has celebrated its first anniversary with a visit by senior politicians.

A ceremony was held at Ysgol Bro Idris to commemorate a year since the all-through area school, which serves pupils between the ages of three and 16 from the wider Dolgellau area, opened its doors for the first time.

Gwynedd Council chair Annwen Hughes was joined by the Welsh Government’s cabinet secretary for education, Kirsty Williams AM as part of the ceremony to note Ysgol Bro Idris’s successful first year.

Ysgol Bro Idris opened in September 2017 following a £4.3m investment from Gwynedd Council and the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme.

The school is located on sites in Rhydymain, Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd, Y Friog and Dolgellau.

Ms Williams said: “I am delighted to attend this event to celebrate a year since this fantastic new school opened.

“Through the 21st Century Schools and Education Programme we have invested alongside local authorities to create buildings that are well-designed, safe and energy-efficient, that meet the needs of learners, teachers and the wider community and are truly befitting of the 21st century.”

Gwynedd Council Cabinet member for education Gareth Thomas added: “Our aim here in Gwynedd is to ensure that children in communities across the county can make the most of first-rate modern learning environments so they can realise their full potential.

“The work carried out at Ysgol Bro Idris is a fine example of this vision. We have invested to improve school buildings and developed an innovative model which we believe has secured education in this rural area of Gwynedd for many years to come."

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