The bar for performance and outcomes was set as high as it could go by stakeholders working on the Coleg Cymunedol Y Dderwen school development in Bridgend. 

They set out to establish ‘one of the best frameworks ever’, according to Simon Owen of main contractor Leadbitter, to achieve BREEAM Outstanding rating and to be considered an Exemplar project.  In close collaboration, they achieved all these goals and were voted CEW’s Project of the Year 2014 as a result and now it has been named as one of CEW’s exemplar projects. 

CEW judges maintained it was hard to find fault with the £36.6m project to design and build a new secondary school for Bridgend County Borough Council, bringing together in one new facility two existing schools that were no longer fit for purpose.  It is Exemplar on every front from sustainability, local investment and engagement, to learning environment and community hub. The resulting building is inspirational for staff, pupils and community alike and lays down future best practice for truly sustainable buildings. 

To find out more and to learn from one of the exemplar schemes in Wales visit our website