Abergavenny’s King Henry VIII school is set for a multi-million pound root and branch redevelopment after councillors confirmed on Monday that the project had been greenlit.

The plans involve a substantial £45m funnelled into the comprehensive school under the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme, with a new Welsh language primary school also built as part of the ambitious proposal forwarded by county councillors back in September.

Councillors pressed for King Henry VIII’s redevelopment to take priority due to its ‘poor condition’ and its ‘deprived area’ status. The school also has the highest number of pupils in receipt of free school meals – a government-defined poverty marker – across all secondary schools in Monmouthshire.

The move was met with some opposition by Chepstow-based councillors, after King Henry VIII was pushed ahead of a development earmarked for Chepstow, which has been postponed until the late 2020s.

A cross-party effort helmed by Abergavenny’s Martyn Groucutt, and the Conservative councillor Richard John, first pressed for the school’s ‘urgent’ redevelopment back in August. It is understood that Welsh Government will provide £22.5m

Councillor Groucutt said, “As both Deri View and King Henry VIII schools are in my ward I am absolutely delighted with the news that we can now look to replacing both of these schools with the development of a brand-new, state-of-the-art campus that will provide for pupils throughout their school lives from 4 to 18, and will also enable Welsh medium secondary education to be provided in Abergavenny.

“It is tremendous news for the town,” continued Mr Groucutt.

“I will try to ensure detailed scrutiny of the plans to ensure we get the very best for our youngsters, so that they can continue to benefit from the excellent education that they are currently receiving, but in fantastic new facilities.”

A report discussed by councillors said both schools needed redevelopment, but argued that King Henry VIII should get priority owing to its building condition. Councillors also contended that Abergavenny’s hosting of the National Eisteddfod allowed the authority to build on its Welsh language aims with the creation of a new home for the over subscribed Ysgol Gymraeg y Fenni.

Another point suggested the abolition of tolls on the Severn Crossings anticipated an increase in Chepstow residents, a notion ‘difficult to predict’, and grounds to move the Chepstow School development to a Band C status, giving King Henry VIII priority.??

Councillor Richard John, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said, “Renewing King Henry VIII is the third proposed rebuild as part of the Conservative commitment to modernise all four secondary schools in Monmouthshire.

“I am delighted that the Welsh Government has provisionally endorsed our plans and agreed to match fund the renewal of King Henry VIII, albeit all subject to approval of a robust business case.

“Having recently delivered a brand new secondary school in Caldicot and another mid-build in Monmouth, building a third new secondary school would put enormous further pressure on the council’s budgets, but it would enable thousands more students to learn in a state of the art environment.

“These plans remain at an early stage and subject to considerable amendments as we will want the input of teachers, students, parents, governors and the wider community as we develop detailed plans for the project.”

King Henry VIII posted strong A-Level and GCSE results recently, underlining a turnaround spearheaded by head teacher Elspeth Lewis. The Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme has allocated millions for ‘long-term and strategic’ investment in Welsh schools to modernise buildings and facilities, as fundamental reforms bestride the Welsh education system.

Development blueprints are likely to involve total reconstruction of the comprehensive school’s ageing buildings, with half of all funding matched by the county council in tandem with Welsh Government.