Plans to close two schools in Llanfair Caereinion to create a new all-age school have moved a step closer.

Powys County Council's Cabinet has given the go-ahead for a statutory notice to be published to establish a new all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion following a six-week consultation on the proposals.

It would mean closing both Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School and Caereinion High School to establish the new all-age school for four to 18 year olds on the existing sites from September 2022.

Cabinet also agreed to hold more talks with representatives of the two schools, the community and feeder schools to find ways to develop the Welsh-medium provision in Llanfair Caereinion. 

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: "I would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation exercise over these proposals. The majority of those who took part in the consultation agreed with the proposal to establish a new all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion.

"We will now continue with our proposal to create a new all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion by publishing the statutory notice formally proposing the change.

"However, as part of the consultation, we did receive a significant number of comments about the language category of the proposed new all-age school.

"Although this was not the formal part of our proposal, it is only right that we take those views into consideration.  That is why we will accelerate dialogue with representatives of the two schools and the community to explore ways to develop and enhance the Welsh-medium provision in Llanfair Caereinion. We will include feeder schools in this dialogue.

"We are committed to delivering an improved learner offer for the children and young people in Powys through our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys. I believe that our proposal for the schools in Llanfair Caereinion will benefit both pupils and teaching staff."

It is anticipated that statutory notices will be published before the end of January and that a further report, summarising any objections received, will be considered by the Cabinet before the end of March.