Kier has been appointed by Cardiff Council to construct the £64.3m Fitzalan High School, which will provide state-of-the-art teaching facilities for 1,500 11-16-year-old schoolchildren, plus a sixth form.

The school is being jointly funded by Cardiff Council and Welsh Government as part of its Band B 21st Century Schools and Education investment programme.

Located on Leckwith Road to the south-west of the city, the school will have two interconnecting buildings, with 88 classrooms, nine science laboratories, an immersive room, drama studio, sports hall and dining area. The school will also have an 1,800 seat multi-function hall with an atrium and learning spaces to support vocational training, such as construction.

Jason Taylor, operations director of Kier Regional Building Western & Wales, said: “I am delighted that we have been appointed by Cardiff Council to construct Fitzalan High School that will provide modern, purpose-built and inspiring learning environments for its students..

“This is a significant project for the local community and throughout the construction of this new school, we will look to leave a lasting legacy, by creating job and training opportunities, working with our local supply chain partners and engaging with pupils and showcasing the wide range of job roles currently available within the construction industry.”

There will be a range of sporting facilities, including a 25m four lane swimming pool, four multi-use games areas (MUGAs) and grass and 3G/mutli-use sport pitches, which will be available for the local community to use. A staff and visitor car park will also be constructed, offering c.70 spaces, as well as 450 bicycle spaces.

The school is scheduled for completion in time for the 2022/23 academic year.