“Now is the right time to federate our two schools,” that’s the message from the headteachers of Llanidloes’ primary and secondary schools as a consultation into plans to link up the schools almost comes to an end.

Daniel Owen, headteacher at Llanidloes High School, and Elen Chennetier, headteacher at Llanidloes Primary School, have released a joint statement stating their support of the proposals which they believe will work more effectively for the “diverse needs” of their pupils.

They said: “Governors, headteachers and senior leaders at Llanidloes Primary School and Llanidloes Secondary School believe now is the right time to federate our two schools.

“Collaboration between both schools is already well developed. Our transition arrangements are strong, our firm commitment to promoting the Welsh ethos is closely aligned and excellent professional relationships exist at all levels. However, we do not want to stand still at a time of great challenge and change, both within Powys, and the education sector more widely.

“We believe that federation will help us meet the diverse needs of our pupils even more effectively. This belief is at the heart of our proposal to federate.

“We now hope our local authority councillors, director of education and officers in the Schools Transformation Team support our plea for Welsh Government 21st Century Schools investment to refurbish our inadequate buildings.”

Currently the primary school has 14 pupils over capacity and the high school has 147 pupils under capacity.

People have until Friday, January 25, to respond to the proposal of establishing a federation between Llanidloes CP School and Llanidloes High School.

In March, the governing bodies will meet to consider the consolation responses and decide whether to go ahead with the federation. If they decide to proceed, the federation will be operational with a new single governing body to oversee the two schools in the new academic year in September.

The consultation document can be found online here