YSGOL Dyffryn Aman has marked the completion of a £21million investment with an official opening ceremony.

Carmarthenshire County Council deputy leader Cllr David Jenkins, of Glanaman, completed the opening with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, witnessed by pupils, staff, dignitaries and guests.

The investment programme involved a four-phase development which included a new extension, the refurbishment of one of the existing buildings, plus two new buildings.

The extension houses a new sixth form common room, library, staff workrooms, science laboratories and a reception area. A Special Educational Needs facility – Canolfan Amanwy – is located in one of the new buildings.

Three new fields and a cricket pitch have been developed, along with new changing rooms and showers.

The work was carried out by Betws-based TRJ through the council’s Modernising Education Programme, with part funding from the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools initiative.

Addressing the pupils at the opening of the ceremony, council leader Cllr Emlyn Dole, said: “This is a special occasion in the history of the school.

“We are very proud of this investment.

“This resource and these buildings are there for your use, you can realise your true potential here.”

Former council leader Kevin Madge, who was at the helm at County Hall, when the refurbishment programme began, expressed his delight at seeing the project reach completion.

“I am extremely proud of the work we did as an administration to make this project happen,” he told the Guardian.

“We were forced to take tough decisions, but these are the results.

“I was a pupil at Amman Valley and then a governor and I am proud that this modernisation is my legacy for the youngsters of this valley.

“We oversaw the biggest investment ever in education in Carmarthenshire when we spent £70m at Fairfach, Ysgol Maes y Gwendraeth and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman.

“Amman Valley has benefitted greatly from that programme.

“The kids of this valley now have first class facilities and I am sure we will see the school go from strength to strength and I expect we will see that in the results.”