SUPPORTERS of a Powys primary school that is due to close in a matter of months hope a miraculous reprieve could be possible and that the decision could be reversed.

It was announced by Powys County Council in November last year that it would be closing the doors at Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School this August as part of its latest round of proposals to revamp education in the county.

Castle Caereinion was put on the chopping block earlier in 2021, along with three other Powys primary schools – Churchstoke, Llanfihangel Rhydithon in Dolau and Llanbedr.

But while a U-turn for Churchstoke was announced last November and it was dramatically saved, the council decided it would press ahead with the decision to shut Castle Caereinion – with the former cabinet announcing the closure would go ahead on August 31 this year, with pupils transferring to their nearest alternative school.

A council report said the school had fewer than 25 pupils and is projected to drop to 19 by 2025. During 2020/21 each pupil cost £6,919 compared to the Powys average of £4,264.

Now, however, there is a feint glimmer of hope for school supporters. Following a reshuffle of the local authority in the aftermath of last month’s elections, the cabinet has switched from a Conservative-Independent coalition to a Liberal Democrat-Labour one – with the cabinet last week announcing that its first order of business would be to revisit key school decisions taken by its predecessors.

“Despite the limited window of opportunity, there remains a strong desire to save Castle Caereinion School,” said David Edwards, of the Save Our Community Schools action group.

“Some residents and myself have contacted Councillor Adrian Jones (PCC member for Berriew and Castle Caereinion), to request that he puts forward an amendment to Cllr Iain McIntosh's motion asking that the school be included, with a view to reversing the closure decision made by the last Powys cabinet.

“I have also informed council leader James Gibson-Watt and portfolio holder Pete Roberts of this possibility, as well as the diocese.

“A further update will follow when we receive a formal response from all parties.”

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Commenting on last week’s announcement to revisit the controversial school closure programme, new council leader Cllr Gibson-Watt, said: “Reviewing the schools’ transformation process was a clear commitment and forms an important part of our progressive partnership agreement.

“The decisions on these schools were taken right at the end of the previous council, in the teeth of opposition from not only pupils, parents and staff at the schools but also from some of the affected communities and indeed many members across the council.

“Accordingly, the new cabinet will revisit these matters as one of its first actions as part of that process.

“This may delay the process and cause some uncertainty, but we believe wider implications need to be carefully considered by the cabinet.

“However, the partnership is committed to the transformation strategy and wants to accelerate delivery, as the status quo is not an option across the county.”

Last week’s revelation will now give hope to pupils, staff, parents and supporters connected to Llanfihangel Rhydithon and Llanbedr too. After Churchstoke was saved but Castle Caereinion was shut in the same month last November, the axe was swung by PCC on Llanfihangel Rhydithon in February – despite hundreds of objections. The decision to close Llanbedr Church in Wales Primary School, near Crickhowell, was announced a month later.