Llanbedr Church in Wales School closure proposal consultation extended

CONSULTATION on a proposal to close a south Powys primary school has been extended, the county council has said.

Powys County Council is looking to reconfigure and rationalise the primary school provision in the county as part of its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030 and is proposing to close Llanbedr Church in Wales School.

The council is asking for views from the public on the proposal, which can now be provided until Wednesday, June 23.

People can respond to the consultation, at Transforming Education and follow the links to give their views online.

Anyone wishing to receive a paper copy of the consultation document, please contact the Transforming Education Team by phoning 01597 826618 or emailing school.organisation@powys.gov.uk

You can respond to the County Council in writing by emailing school.consultation@powys.gov.uk or via post at Transforming Education Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LG.

If the proposal goes ahead, the school could close at the end of August 2022 with pupils transferring to their nearest alternative school.

Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said:

“We are committed to transforming the learner experience and entitlement for our learners and we will achieve this by delivering our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030.

“Our strategy is ambitious, exciting and we believe it will give our learners the best possible start they deserve. However, as we start to implement it, we will be faced with significant decisions as we look to address some of the challenges facing education in Powys which include the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers, and the high number of surplus places.

“This proposal has not been reached lightly but we have ensured that the best interest of the learners at this school was at the forefront of our discussions and decision-making.

“If this school is to close, then the learners would be attending schools that would be better equipped to meet the requirements of the new national curriculum and that could provide a wider range of educational and extra-curricular opportunities.

“However, it is important that the people of this school community, as well as the wider area, have their say on this proposal. I would urge them to send their views so that they can be considered.”