laboratories. The school recently went through a six million pound overhaul that has seen numerous changes. The school now has performing arts facilities including an auditorium housed in the Haberdashers' Building. The special educational needs department has been expanded and there is a new cafeteria. Facilities West Mon has an AstroTurf football pitch which has floodlights. As of November 2019, the AstroTurf was closed due to it being upgraded to a 4G pitch which will come with new flood lights and fence, construction was due to finish in early April 2020. There is also a performing arts centre and two gymnasia. There are six IT suites and a comprehensive technology centre. The school also has a running track, tennis courts and the Albion rugby fields nearby. The school has been extended once again; the old dining hall has been converted into classrooms and a new cafeteria built on the west side of the site. This was due to the amalgamation of Trevethin Community School which closed in 2007. Notable alumni Arts and Entertainment Sir Anthony Hopkins - actor Public Life Ivor Bulmer-Thomas CBE - Labour (then Conservative for two years) MP for Keighley from 1942–50 Theodore Huckle QC - Counsel General for Wales David Gwilym James - Vice-Chancellor from 1952-65 of the University of Southampton Alun Gwynne Jones, Baron Chalfont of Llantarnam in the County of Monmouthshire OBE MC - former Foreign Office minister from 1964–70, and Chairman of the Radio Authority from 1991-4 Noel Debroy Jones - Bishop of Sodor and Man from 1989–2003 Paul Murphy - Labour MP for Torfaen since 1987 Rhys Probert CB - Director from 1973-80 of the Royal Aircraft Establishment Edwin Stevens CBE - Inventor of the first hearing aid Sporting James Waite - Newport County AFC football player Terry Cobner - Wales international rugby union player Ken Jones - Wales international rugby union player Bryn Meredith - Wales international rugby union player Graham Price - Wales international rugby union player Iestyn Thomas - Wales international rugby union player Mako Vunipola - England international rugby union player Etymology The school has been known by a variety of names over the last 100 years. Originally conceived as Jones' West Monmouth School it has also been known as Haberdashers' West Monmouth School, West Monmouth Boys' School and in later years West Monmouth Grammar School. Today the school is often referred to (incorrectly) as West Monmouth Comprehensive