THE name for the new Cwmbran merger school has been officially announced.

The new school, due to open next September, will see Fairwater School and Llantarnam School close, and the current Fairwater School site revamped.

The name of the new secondary school has been confirmed as Cwmbran High School.

This was the working title put forward by the local authority, and it was also the first choice name of the joint student council, which is made up of students from both Llantarnam and Fairwater.

Current Fairwater School headteacher Helen Coulson will take up the post when the school opens.

She said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to establish an outstanding school in the heart of Cwmbran. This will be a high achieving, academic school, that will bring success to its pupils and the local community.”

The senior leadership team for Cwmbran High School has also been appointed, with Geoff Dixon as deputy headteacher, and assistant headteacher positions taken by Bernie Smith, Jeff Savory, Jack Lewis and Claire Ager.

The school’s motto is Cwmbran High School – Stronger Together.

The closure of the schools is part of the 21st Century Schools Programme that aims to reduce surplus places.

In April, a petition of more than 4,000 signatures was handed to Torfaen council calling for Llantarnam school to be saved.

But the authority maintained that Fairwater School was the best location for the new school.