Academy link aim for new school plan

Apr 8 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

LONG-AWAITED plans for a much-needed new school in Llantwit Major will be drawn up this summer with the aim of helping to prepare pupils for jobs at the multi-billion-pound Defence Training Academy in St Athan.
(What Jobs?)
The redevelopment plan at Llantwit Major Comprehensive School is part of a multi-million- pound school investment strategy
Consultants are carrying out design work for a new school at Cowbridge Comprehensive School and a planning application is expected to be put before councillors later this year.
Meanwhile, initial design work to replace St Cyres Comprehensive School, in Penarth, has started with a full scheme due to be ready by the second half of next year.
Bryan Jeffreys, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s director of learning and development, said: “At Llantwit Major, initial design work is planned for later this year.
“The intention is to link the redevelopment of Llantwit Major school with the roll-out of the Ministry of Defence Training Academy at St Athan. The School Investment Strategy is a priority.”
The role of schools, colleges and universities in providing skilled workers for the academy is seen as vital to its success.
However, academy opponents have called for the Open University in Wales to sever links with the academy. The Open University is part of the Metrix consortium, which made the successful academy bid.