Dozens of children gathered with their homemade placards and posters and loudly chanted ‘save our school’ outside their primary school in Newtown which is under threat of closing.

Treowen C.P. School could close by September 2025 under Powys County Council’s proposal to merge the school with the larger Ysgol Calon y Dderwen, formerly Hafren and Ladywell Green schools.

Mum-of-four Gemma Layton-Morris said the school is a vital part of the Treowen community, and spoke at a protest against the plans on Monday (January 29).

County Times: Daryl, Kaci, James with their placards outside Treowen Primary School on Monday afternoon, January 29.Daryl, Kaci, James with their placards outside Treowen Primary School on Monday afternoon, January 29. (Image: Anwen Parry/Powys County Times)

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“It is the heart," she said. "All the kids in all the years are intertwined. The teachers aren’t just teachers here; they are part of us.”

Year Six pupil Madison said: “I feel really upset because the school is for everyone.

READ MORE: Plan to close Newtown, Powys school in merger slammed

“The council are very selfish for doing it, for funding other schools but can’t fund our school.

"Our school is a community school; it’s small but everyone knows each other and have fun.

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“We need to save our school immediately. We need people to tell the council to save our school and to help fund and appreciate our school because it is a really good school.”

A parent who has two young boys at the school said: "It's very sad and upsetting to know that these people are taking the heart of our community away. It's not just a school , it's the hub of our community.

"Our children love coming here and they're known by their names by every single member of staff. They're not just a figure; they are a person who is loved and cared about. 

"Our children are small town kids who need that extra care and support. This is one of the most deprived areas in Wales and there's going to be such a split divide with us up here and them down there. 

"We want our school. Why rip it away from us? We're being ignored. Be kind to us, have a heart. Don't be so heartless. Stop thinking of your pockets. Think about the children. You're selfish. Totally, utterly selfish."

Treowen School pupil Keegan: "We have the best teachers here. There's strong learning here. It's really good here.

"It's so sad that the council is thinking about their pockets and not the school. Please save our school."

Newtown High School student Riley said Treowen School meant a lot to him when he was a pupil until he left last year.

"The teachers were amazing," he said. "Everyone got along and it was really nice and calm to be there.

"I felt really sad when I heard that the school could close. I don't want it to close. I really want my little brother to go to the school."

His mum Rosie O'Shaughnessy said Riley's "amazing" grades is a testament to his time at Treowen School.

"They've been amazing with him and me," she said. "All the children in all of the years know each others names. You wouldn't get that in a big school. It's just very sad.

"It makes absolutely no sense."

Pupils, parents and staff are urging people to tell Powys County Council their views on the proposals through a public consultation that will end on Monday, February 26.

The online consultation can be found at: www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/ysgol-calon-y-dderwen-and-treowen-c-p-school