WELSH Education Secretary, Kirsty Williams, officially opened two schools in Colwyn Bay.

Both Ysgol Nant y Groes and Ysgol Swn y Don have been refurbished and extended to provide state-of-the-art facilities.

The overall cost of the two projects was £4.2 million, and was half funded by the Welsh Government and half by Conwy County Borough Council.

Kirsty Williams said following her visit on Thursday: “It is a pleasure see how the Welsh Government’s investment is having a positive impact on education in the area.

“Our national mission is to raise standards and deliver an education system that is a source of national pride and confidence. Our 21st Century Schools and Education Programme plays a key part in this and is the largest investment in our schools and colleges since the 1960s.”

The new Ysgol Nant y Groes is the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan y Mor infants school and Ysgol Pendorlan junior school, which were housed in separate buildings on the same site.

This £2.25 million investment project refurbished the site and developed a physical link between the two buildings. In addition internal improvements included room remodelling, boiler replacement and improved IT facilities and externally the playground has also been improved.

The Ysgol Swn y Don project involved the amalgamation of the existing infants and junior schools, Ysgol Babanod Penmaenrhos and Ysgol Iau Tan y Marian, with a new primary school established on the Ysgol Tan y Marian site.

As part of this £1.97million refurbishment, the building has been renovated, with a new entrance and reception, new nursery and reception classrooms, renovated school kitchen, and new electronic whiteboards in each classroom and the hall.

A soft play area for nursery and reception classes was introduced together with a new boiler and heating system, nature trail, benches, garden sheds and flower beds.