A TEACHING block costing £1.8 million has been officially opened at Ysgol Maes y Coed Special School.
The new, state-of-the-art building was needed for the Bryncoch school to meet a demand for places.
With its circular design, it caters for the educational needs of two to 19-year-olds who have a wide range of severe and complex learning difficulties.
The new block boasts seven new classrooms, a common room, coffee bar, staff accommodation, pupil and staff toilets, and offices and storage facilities which are all linked to the main building.
Chairman of governors Derek Jones said: "I would like to give all the staff credit for their incredible commitment to the children and also to the local authority for the commitment they have shown in building this new school and extension."
Built in 2007, the school houses a hydrotherapy pool, sensory rooms and garden, soft play room, classrooms, kitchen/dining hall, changing and toilet facilities, main hall, meeting room and life skills room.
Through partnership working with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, the school, which replaced Briton Ferry Special School, provides a range of therapy staff, in addition to the teaching staff, including a physiotherapist, speech and language therapist, and sensory team.
It also houses the South West Wales Regional Multi Sensory Impairment outreach facility which serves, Neath Port Talbot, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Powys and Swansea.
Director of education, leisure and lifelong learning Karl Napieralla, said: "This new facility has been made possible by the excellent working relationship between the project team and the school staff.
"The quality of the design and build and the state of the art facilities will enable the pupils and staff at Maes y Coed to flourish."
Council leader Ali Thomas added: "I would like to pay tribute to all the teachers and support staff for the dedicated and committed work they do on behalf of some of the most vulnerable young people in our community."
