CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a small but thriving rural primary school from closure remain defiant – even though the axe will likely fall later today (February 8).

The future of Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School in Dolau, near Llandrindod Wells, will be decided by Powys County Council’s (PCC) cabinet at a meeting at County Hall. Councillor Phyl Davies, the cabinet member responsible for education, is recommending that his colleagues press ahead with the school’s closure – despite hundreds of objections over the last year.

The council received 430 initial responses alone from concerned members of the community opposing the closure during the original consultation period last year. A further 273 people contacted PCC inside a month to voice their objections at the end of 2021.

There has been an angry response from supporters and local residents following last week’s announcement by the council – with many pointing out that PCC county councillor elections are approaching in May and would be a good way to channel their frustration.

“Having been there and done that with Nantmel I would bring your attention to the council elections in May. If you want change, make it happen,” said Tim Wilson in a Facebook comment reacting to last week’s news.

“Interesting that one of the main reasons for closure, according to Councillor Davies, is that the new curriculum can’t be implemented in smaller, rural schools,” said Tom Miles, who accompanied his post with a screenshot of an email from Welsh education minister Jeremy Miles, which seemed to suggest otherwise. “Elections in May,” added Mr Miles.

Juelles Holt added: “People, vote carefully in the May elections.”

The decision to continue to stave off closure in August this year, meanwhile, has been backed by one Powys county councillor who has long been against the decision.

Llandrindod North representative Jake Berriman said: “So sad to have just read the full report going forward to cabinet next week; the recommendation doggedly remaining to close the school despite numerous, and in my view, well founded objections.

“I applaud the stated aim of the school, parents, governors and the action group to fight on, and in this they have my full support.”

The 170-year-old village school which educates 37 pupils will close in the summer if the cabinet agrees with a recommendation to rubber stamp the move at today’s meeting; a decision which sadly seems inevitable.

Cabinet will be asked to consider the objection report and to approve the proposal to close the school, with pupils to transfer to other schools in the area from September.

The council’s strategy for transforming education in Powys outlines their concern that the county has a high proportion of small schools which raises the budget share per pupil.

Cllr Davies said: “After carefully considering the objections, I will be recommending to cabinet that they approve the proposal to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon CP School.

“We are committed to transforming the learner experience and entitlement for our learners and we will achieve this by delivering our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030.

“Our strategy is ambitious, exciting and we believe it will give our learners the best possible start they deserve.

“However, as we start to implement it, we will be faced with significant decisions as we look to address some of the challenges facing education in Powys which include the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers and the high number of surplus places.

“This recommendation has not been reached lightly. Not only has it been robustly challenged by senior leaders within the council at every step, but it has been developed with the best interest of the learners, who have been at the forefront of our discussions and decision-making.”