On the 5th of March 2024 Innovare’s Business Development Manager Ian Howell was invited to take part in the Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron SIPs signing ceremony. Pupils from Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd and Felinfach schools signed their names on to the Innovaré offsite Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) used to build the new school in Dyffryn Aeron. Ceredigion County Council appointed Contractor Wynne Construction to build the new school providing first class, modern facilities for primary age children. The building will be suitable for 210 pupils, with additional capacity for ALN, Welsh Language and pre-school provision, as well as a 3G sports pitch with flood lights.
SIPs are a lightweight and efficient build system made off-site which will form the walls and roof of the new school in Dyffryn Aeron. The panels have an elevated level of insulation and can reduce the energy used for heating and cooling, while they also produce less carbon during the manufacturing and installation process. The panels are made to measure off-site, so they reduce waste, while their quicker assembly reduces overall construction time.
Bryn Roberts, Wynne Construction site manager for the project, said: “We enjoy celebrating the completion of the SIPs on our school builds, as it reflects the first real step towards the delivery of a modern, high-quality facility. Inviting pupils, staff, and council members onto site to make their mark in the history of the new school is always an exciting event, and we hope they all enjoyed learning about how the new school is being built and having a first look around. The scheme has been progressing well, and now the SIPs work has been completed, we can focus on ensuring the building is watertight and move onto the next stage of works.”
The £16.3m school is being funded through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme (£10.1m), the Welsh Government’s Early Years and Childcare Capital Programme (£1.6m) and a matched funding contribution from Ceredigion County Council of £4.6m.