Ferndale school recognised for crime prevention measures and community-friendly layout
A WELSH-medium primary school in the Rhondda has been recognised for its outstanding design and commitment to safety after winning a prestigious national award.
Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llyn y Forwyn, in Ferndale, received the Educational Development Award at the ATLAS Secured by Design Awards, which celebrate excellence in designing out crime and creating safer public spaces.
The school was funded through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme and Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, and was built on the site of the former Chubb factory industrial estate.
Opened in January 2025, the state-of-the-art facility replaced an older school that had outgrown its site. It accommodates up to 240 pupils and includes a 30-place Welsh-medium childcare setting, providing a pathway into Welsh-language education from the age of two.
The development features modern classrooms, sports facilities, outdoor play areas and dedicated cycle storage, with a strong emphasis on encouraging active travel and safe access for pupils and families.
A key factor in the award was the involvement of South Wales Police’s Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), who worked alongside architects, contractors and council officers throughout the planning and construction process.
Crime prevention measures were incorporated into the design from the outset, including secure access controls, improved visibility across the site, enhanced lighting and carefully planned pedestrian routes.
The challenging hillside location required detailed planning to ensure safe movement around the school while maintaining effective traffic management and security standards.
One example saw plans for bollard lighting along a pedestrian route revised following safety discussions, leading to the installation of upgraded street lighting that met national standards.
The school’s hall was also designed to allow community use without compromising the security of the main school buildings, with a separate access route created following police recommendations.
Joy Nicholls, one of the Designing Out Crime Officers involved in the project, said: “This is a really good example of how Secured by Design principles can be incorporated into a development, making the school a safe and secure space for pupils, staff and visitors.”
Fellow officer Julie Odgers added: “It was a pleasure to work with our partners on this exciting project and, after lots of meetings, it is very satisfying to see that Llyn y Forwyn has met Secured by Design standards.”
Councillor Sharon Rees, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, said the school had become an important asset for the local community.
“Providing first-class Welsh-medium facilities in a safe environment was a key priority throughout the development,” she said.
“I am pleased that this aspect of the project has now been recognised for its excellence.”
Since opening, no crimes have been reported on the school site, a record that supporters say highlights the benefits of incorporating security and crime prevention measures into educational developments from the earliest design stages.
Secured by Design is the official police security initiative that works with developers, architects and planners to reduce opportunities for crime through better building and environmental design.
Research has consistently shown that developments built to Secured by Design standards experience lower levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, helping create safer communities for residents, staff and visitors alike.
