SECTOR INSIGHT
was a key priority in the development’ s design – keeping this clearly in mind as we also provide on-site facilities for the wider community. I’ d like to thank South Wales Police and contractor Wynne Construction for their dedication in this area, and I’ m pleased this aspect of the project has been recognised for its excellence.”
Pupils and staff moved into the new school in January 2025. Since opening, there have been no reported crimes on the school site, highlighting how effective design and partnership working can contribute to safer educational environments. The school has also had positive impact on the wider community and plays an important role in promoting bilingual learning and supporting Welsh heritage.
Karen Wilson, Project Manager for Rhomco said,“ Working on the Llyn y Forwyn School as Project Manager for Rhomco, but also as a parent it felt vital that all the advice and recommendations received through the SBD process were incorporated into the scheme throughout design and construction to provide the safest place possible”.
Richard Wynne, Director of Wynne Construction said,“ Wynne Construction adopted a proactive and fully collaborative
approach with South Wales Police to ensure that Ysgol Llyn y Forwyn was designed to the highest standards of safety, ultimately achieving Secured by Design accreditation. From the outset, we recognised that creating a safe and secure learning environment was fundamental to the school’ s long-term success, particularly given its role as a key community asset.
“ Working in close partnership with the Design Out Crime Officer( DOCO), Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council, the project architect, and landscape architect, we facilitated a series of regular, structured design workshops. These sessions enabled all parties to review developing proposals in detail, ensuring that security considerations were embedded into the design rather than retrospectively applied. Through this process, we carefully balanced robust security measures with the need to maintain an open, welcoming and inclusive environment for pupils, staff and visitors.
“ Key aspects of the design were rigorously tested, including natural surveillance, access control, boundary treatments, lighting strategies and external landscaping. Importantly, each element was assessed not only for its effectiveness in reducing opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour, but also for its practicality, buildability and long-term maintenance implications. This ensured that the final solutions were both effective and deliverable within the project constraints.
“ Our collaborative“ one team” approach, enabled informed decisionmaking and early resolution of potential challenges. Integrating security expertise alongside architectural and construction input, the project team was able to design out risk at source, enhancing the overall quality and resilience of the school environment.
“ This integrated methodology was instrumental in successfully achieving Secured by Design accreditation, while also supporting the project’ s wider sustainability objectives, including the attainment of BREEAM‘ Excellent’. The result is a high-performing educational facility that not only meets stringent environmental standards but also provides a safe, secure and supportive setting for its users and the wider community.”
Principal architect, Carys Fisher, from Arcadis Architects added,“ I am immensely proud that YGG Llyn y Forwyn has been recognised with a Secured by Design award. From the outset, the design team worked closely with the Designing Out Crime Officer to embed effective crime prevention strategies into the design, promoting natural surveillance and secure layouts, even on a challenging site, while always balancing security with the wellbeing and child-friendly environment essential for pupils, staff, and the local community. This approach ensured that the school is not only safe and secure, but also welcoming and supportive for all who use it.”
www. securedbydesign. com
JUNE 2026
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