The merger of two Newtown schools will be discussed by Powys county councillors next week.
In September, Powys County Council’s (PCC) cabinet decided to go ahead with a consultation exercise on proposals to close both Ladywell Green Infant School (aged four to seven years) and Hafren Community Primary Junior School (seven to 11 years) on 31 August 2021.
PCC would then re-open a newly merged (four to 11 year) school on September 1, 2021.
According to the report, the decision could save just under £132,000 for the council.
At the moment the estimated funding for both schools next year is £1,025,032. If they merged this figure comes down to £893,466, this calculation is based on pupil numbers.
The consultation took place from 26 October to 7 November.
Meetings were also held with staff and school governors of both Ladywell Green Infants School and Hafren Junior School; children on both school councils and two drop-in sessions.
According to the report, 16 people responded and of those, 10 or 63 per cent are in favour of the merger.
School inspectors Estyn were also consulted and have backed the proposals.
Estyn said: “It is Estyn’s opinion that the proposal is likely to at least maintain the current standards of education and provision in the amalgamated schools.
” A clear rationale for the reasons behind this proposal has been provided.
“It has outlined well the reasons for amalgamating the two schools and creating an all through 4-11 primary school.
“It states clearly that this would be in accordance with its policy of amalgamating separate infant and junior schools and developing high
quality learning environments.”
Estyn goes on to add that the potential benefits of a merger would include:
Management of projected deficit budgets
Responding to falling numbers over the next four years
More effective transition arrangements between foundation phase and key
stage 2
More effective staff development
Addressing the poor condition of both buildings and in the long term replacing
with a new build.
If the councillors vote in favour of the merger, the decision and their views would go back to the cabinet for them to make the final decision.
After that, a 28 day period to receive objections would take place.
When the proposals were made public earlier this year, it was noted that a “mini-hospital” could be built near the schools.
This raised that the pupils would lose green space” play areas.
In May, The Welsh Government announced that £2.5 million of funding has been made available for the Wellbeing/Regional Hub Centre project which is earmarked for The Park area of Newtown.
Although it is likely that the project would cost at least 10 times that amount to build.
Services run from the centre could include some pre and post-operative care, day case procedures, diagnostics, outpatients and rehabilitation services.
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service