School merger decision expected next week

Two schools in the area are likely to be merged despite opposition from some parents and others in the local community.

Powys County Council said its Cabinet would make a decision on merging Llanfair Caereinion high school and primary school next week.

The council wants to establish a new all-age school which would be achieved by closing both schools and establishing a new, 4-18 years all-age school on the existing sites from September 2022.
 
The proposal is part of the council's Strategy for Transforming Education, which wants to improve the learner entitlement and experience. The strategy was approved in April 2020.
 
Earlier this year, Cabinet gave the go-ahead for a statutory notice to be published formally proposing the change, which was published in February. During the statutory notice period, 31 objections were received.
 
On Tuesday, 18 May, Cabinet will receive and consider the objection report and will be asked to approve the proposal to merge the schools.
 
Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “We are committed to delivering an improved learner offer for the children and young people in Powys through our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys. I believe that our proposal for the schools in Llanfair Caereinion will benefit both pupils and teaching staff.
 
“This proposal is specifically about establishing an all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion. However, the main issues raised in the objections received are about the need for a designated Welsh-medium secondary school."