Primary Schools set for closure

Powys County Council has named 11 schools that could be closed as part of cost cutting measures.

 

Council top brass will meet the governing bodies of 11 primary schools to discuss their future and possible closure, with Aberhafesp and Dolfor among those affected.

 

A meeting of the council's Learning in the Community Programme Board has agreed to start informal consultation with the governing bodies of schools where pupil numbers are below or projected to be below 30 over the next three years.

 

Discussion with eight governing bodies is planned to take place during the spring term with a further three governing bodies during the summer term.

 

The schools to be discussed in the spring term are:

 

Aberhafesp C P School

Cwmdu C in W (A) School, Crickhowell

Dolfor C P School

Llanfechain C in W School

Llanfihangel Rhydithon C P School

Nantmel C in W School

Pontrobert C P School

Trefnanney C P School

 

The schools to be discussed in the summer term are:

 

Castle Caereinion C in W School

Franksbridge C P School

Llangedwyn C in W School

 

Board Member for Schools, Councillor David Jones said: "The council is committed to providing the best possible education facilities for our young learners through the schools modernisation initiative.

 

"We have started the modernisation process in Ystradgynlais where we will replace 10 ageing schools with four modern facilities and are committed to continuing that process across the county.

 

"When we approved the primary review timetable in July 2008 we also agreed that we would review individual small schools where pupil numbers are below or projected to fall below 30.

 

"A number of schools outside the current review timetable, which extends to May 2012, have reached a level where we need to consider their long term future.

 

"Closing a school is something that is never considered lightly but we have a duty to ensure our school network is capable of delivering high educational standards at a price we can afford. The schools have nearly 300 surplus places between them and reducing that figure will make up to £1m in savings that can be re-invested in other schools.

 

"It is inevitable that school numbers will reduce in the coming years in response to falling school rolls. We need to develop an infrastructure that meets the needs of the next generation not the last."