WHEN the bell rings at the end of the school day across Powys today, spare a thought for one tight-knit community, where it won’t just be the end of term, but the end of the school forever.

Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School will mark the end of term with a far sombre atmosphere.

The school, in Dolau, near Llandrindod Wells, opened in 1848, moving to its current site in 1930, but shuts for the last time today after a long fight to keep it open.

Powys County Council announced plans to close the rural school in early 2021, but locals battled for more than two years to fight them – even launching a Judicial Review at the High Court.

The school and community’s motto throughout the saga has been ‘We are Dolau and we are proud’. And while today is tinged with sadness, there is plenty for everyone associated with the school to be proud of.

“Tomorrow sees the end of an era and the day we have all dreaded coming,” said headteacher Adam Shearman in a social media post on Thursday evening.

“Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School will ring its bell for the last time tomorrow afternoon.

“It has been a privilege to be the executive headteacher of this wonderful school for the past eight years.

“I have been fortunate to work with some outstanding individuals during my time here. The staff at Dolau go above and beyond to offer the best start to the children of Dolau.

“Dolau School is a very special school and it has been a pleasure to have played a small part in its long and proud history.

“A huge thank you to the staff, past and present, for all you have done for the school, for the fun we have had along the way, for the laughter and the tears through the good times and the hard. Thank you for the memories.”

County Times: Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School first opened its doors 175 years ago Llanfihangel Rhydithon Community Primary School first opened its doors 175 years ago (Image: Dolau)

The school hosted a final leavers assembly on Thursday, with a post on the school’s Facebook page stating: “Words cannot express how proud we are of all the children at Dolau today.

“The Year 6 children spoke with pride during their presentations and the whole school sang beautifully.

“We are so lucky to be a part of such a special school where everyone cares for each other.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to Friends of Dolau School for gifting each child a commemorative teddy bear, and to Tracey Jones for making each bear, they are wonderful and such a treasure for each child to have.”

OTHER NEWS:

Parent Beth James, whose daughter April has attended the school since the family moved to Dolau in 2019, said she was “absolutely devastated” to drop her child off for her final ever day at the school.

Beth said: "Such a sad day today. After moving here in 2019 and April joining Llanfihangel Rhydithon after doing reception in Crossgates Community Primary School we are absolutely devastated that today will be the last time to drop her off and pick up at Dolau.

“She’s had the best three years in Dolau and it’s been an amazing school, the staff are amazing and the community.

“We will all miss it so much but wish everyone the very best for the future. Hope the children and staff have the best last day.”

Last June, Mrs Justice Steyn refused permission for a Judicial Review into the decision made in February 2022 to close the school.

The final nail was delivered last December, when an alternative proposal to establish Welsh-medium education in Dolau was deemed unviable.

Conservative group leader, Councillor Aled Davies, said in mid-December the Welsh medium idea was a “non-starter, a flight of fancy”.

It had first been floated by the new Liberal Democrat-Labour coalition in May last year, who granted the school a reprieve and pushed the closure date back to August this year, after the previous Conservative-Independent regime initially introduced proposals.

At a PCC cabinet meeting on December 20 last year, schools transformation manager Marianne Evans said: “It doesn’t meet the aspiration to develop Welsh medium provision in Powys’ main centres of population in order to stimulate demand.

“High quality Welsh medium education is available locally at both Ysgol Trefonnen (Llandrindod Wells) and Rhayader Church in Wales primary schools.”