New Llanfair Caereinion all-age school recommended to go-ahead

PLANS to merge two schools in north Powys to create a new all-age school could be implemented if given the go-ahead by Cabinet next week, the county council has said.

Powys County Council wants to establish a new all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion, which would be achieved by closing Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School and Caereinion High School and establishing a new, 4-18 all-age school on the existing sites from September 2022.

The proposals will help the council deliver its 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, May 18, Cabinet will receive and consider the objection report and will be asked to approve the proposal to merge Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School and Caereinion High School in order to establish a new all-age school.

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.

“Cabinet agreed in February to accelerate the dialogue with representatives of the two schools and the community to explore ways to develop and enhance the Welsh-medium provision in Llanfair Caereinion and to include all feeder schools in this dialogue. Initial discussions have taken place.

“Should Cabinet approve the proposal to establish the all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion, this dialogue will continue with the temporary governing body and leadership of the new school, in order to move the school along the language continuum. Feeder schools and other partners will be essential to help develop this vision.

“I will be recommending to Cabinet that they approve the proposal to establish the all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion.”