The Church in Wales has stepped in to encourage people to formally object to the proposed closure of a Powys primary school.

Yesterday (September 9), a statutory notice was published by Powys County Council proposing to close down Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School” from August 2022.

The closure is part of a raft of similar closures to small village schools in the county as part of the local authority's ongoing education transformation project.

Now, the Diocese of St Asaph says parents should make their feelings known on the closure, with the statutory notice giving the public a 28 day period in which to lodge objections before the decision is officially ratified.

The interim Director of Education for the Diocese of St Asaph, Heather Loveridge, said: “It’s important for everyone wanting to object to the proposal for Castle Caereinion School to respond in writing or email in line with the statutory code and to do so within the 28-day time limit, so by 7 October 2021.

"Anyone can formally object and it’s really important that people make their views known now, even if they responded during the previous consultation stage. This statutory process is the opportunity to object to the proposal and influence the final decision.

"As a diocese, we believe that parents should be able to choose a church school education for their children and having local provision is very important. We will be submitting our objection to the statutory notice accordingly."

Castle Caereinion School reopened after the summer holidays with a new interim headteacher in place.

A spokesperson added that new headteacher Angela Jones is an experienced leader of Church in Wales schools and was set to take the school forward over the next academic year.

Heather added: "Our 51 diocesan church schools, across north-east and mid-Wales, are inclusive by nature, welcoming children from families of all faiths and none, while recognising that faith is something that shapes people’s lives.

"Church schools are committed to celebrating the rich heritage of faith, language and culture in Wales and provide a natural point of community focus, supported by a network of clergy and churches across Wales. Preserving the choice for parents of a church school education for their children is therefore very important.”