Three schools may close as part of a shake-up in North Powys which could also see up to three new schools built, parents and staff have been told.
Powys County Council has today (Thursday) informed 12 schools in the Llanfyllin and North Welshpool catchment area that it is expected that the plan will take up to 10 years to put in place.
The affected communities have been told that a full consultation will take place about the local authority’s plans to close Llangedwyn C. in W. School which had 17 pupils in 2022, Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin (23 pupils in 2022) and Brynhafren C.P. School in Crew Green (35 pupils in 2022) if it’s approved by the Cabinet later this month.
Director of Education, Lynette Lovell, said: "I realise that this will cause uncertainty for some schools, however I assure you that any decisions will be made with the aim of ensuring that the best possible educational opportunities can be provided to pupils for years to come.
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"I also assure you that there will be opportunities for you all to let us know your views before any decisions are made to proceed with implementation of any elements of the preferred way forward for the area."
Powys County Council said its "preferred way forward" following talks with staff and governors in the area would see capital investment to build up to three new schools while supporting schools to improve Welsh-medium education provision, which could see some schools combine and others close.
The Council's Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee will have discussions next week (Wednesday, September 20) before the Cabinet considers a report later this month where they will be asked to approve in principle the ten-year plan for education in the Llanfyllin and North Welshpool catchment area.
The catchment includes Arddleen C.P. School, Brynhafren C.P. School, Carreghofa CP School, Llandysilio C. in W. School, Llanfechain C. in W. School, Llangedwyn C. in W. School, Llansantffraid C. in W. School, Ysgol Bro Cynllaith, Ysgol Llanfyllin, Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochant, Ysgol Meifod, and Ysgol Pennant.
If the cabinet approves the report, then more papers will need to be considered to take forward the individual proposals.
Mrs Lovell told parents and staff that information about the proposal will be shared with the affected school communities "at the appropriate time".
Welsh Conservative response
The Welsh Conservative Group Leader in Powys County Council Councillor Aled Davies has two schools – Llangedwyn and Bro Cynllaith - in his ward that are earmarked for closure. He has criticised the Liberal Democrats, who lead the council alongside Labour, for standing in 2022 on an election platform of stopping school closures.
Cllr Davies said: “Less than 18 months ago the Liberal Democrats campaigned during the Powys County Council election stating very clearly that they would halt school closures and protect rural schools, often citing the new legislation, designed to protect rural schools, which was introduced by the then Liberal Democrat Education Minister in Welsh Government Kirsty Williams.
“Their election campaign promise to protect rural schools and keep them open led to the Liberal Democrats becoming the largest group on Powys County Council, they now run the Council.
“So, it’s surprising to see that today the Liberal Democrats have published plans to close schools even though it’s very clear that the evidence of the challenges schools face has not changed since they made their election promises.”
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