Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron gains outstanding BREEAM status
Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron has been crowned the highest-scoring education building in the UK by the world’s leading certification system.
Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron, which has been developed by Ceredigion County Council and Wynne Construction, received the honour after securing an outstanding rating of 93.69% under the BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) 2018 Education Scheme.
The new £16.3m facility, which joined three primary schools – Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd, and Felinfach, is only the second educational project in Wales to secure the top grade.
Officially opened by First Minister of Wales Eluned Morgan MS in March 2025. The school can accommodate up to 210 students, with additional capacity for ALN, Welsh language, and pre-school provision. Receiving this outstanding rating is a landmark moment for the school.
Councillor Wyn Thomas, Ceredigion Cabinet Member for Schools and Lifelong Learning, said: “Ysgol Dyffryn Aeron offers our pupils a world-class education and provides a 21st century facility, as well as facilities to support pupils with additional learning needs. The school is a fantastic show of collaboration across the Council, contractors and the Welsh Government. We are very proud to receive an outstanding BREEAM accreditation which reflects our commitment in Ceredigion to sustainability.”
Wynne Construction director Richard Wynne said: “This is a hugely significant achievement by the whole team, especially given the complexities around securing such a high mark. To achieve an outstanding rating, schemes must score above 85%, so to reach 93% and be the highest-scoring education building in the UK is phenomenal. Without collaboration between the client, Ceredigion County Council, ourselves, and the supply chain, none of this would have been possible, and the collective parts of the scheme should be proud of the work that has gone in.”
BREEAM (BREEAM | Sustainable Building Certification) provides a sustainability assessment framework, measuring value in a series of categories that address factors such as low impact design and carbon emissions reduction. These include management, water, energy, transport, waste, pollution, health and wellbeing, and innovation.