Plans to change school language category move step forward

Plans to change Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon in Trefeglwys from a dual-stream school into a Welsh-medium setting have moved a step closer with Powys County Council's cabinet agreeing to publish a statutory notice on the proposal.

Council leader Cllr Rosemarie Harris said she is urging people to share their thoughts before the objection period ends on July 22.

She said: “Moving Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon along the language continuum, it will help us meet the aims and objectives within our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys. It will also ensure that all pupils attending the school have the opportunity to become fully bilingual, fluent in both Welsh and English, therefore contributing to the Welsh Government’s aspiration to achieve a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

“However, it is important that Cabinet hears the views of those who object to the proposal before any final decisions are made and I would urge them to send their views to us so that they can be considered.”

Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon, Trefeglwys.

Ysgol Dyffryn Trannon is currently a dual-stream school providing English-medium and Welsh-medium education for pupils aged four to 11.

The decision to publish the statutory notice was taken earlier this week after Cabinet considered the findings of a consultation report after the council carried out a seven-week consultation during February and April.

The proposed change would be introduced on a phased basis, year-by-year, starting with Reception in September 2022.

Powys Council said the proposed change would not affect pupils already at the school, and that children would be able to continue to access English-medium education until they leave school.

Objections can be written to Powys County Council by emailing education@powys.gov.uk or via post to the Interim Chief Education Officer, Powys County Council, Powys County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG.