Plans for area school in Aeron Valley move forward

A “golden opportunity” to provide the best chances for children in the Aeron Valley was approved but will mean the closure of three schools.

Ceredigion full council approved a plan to create a new area school in the Aeron Valley by September 1, 2022 on December 19.

It would be preceded on August 31, 2022 by the closure of Ciliau Parc School, Dihewyd School and Felinfach School.

A public consultation on the plan had resulted in 11 objections considered by cabinet, Cllr Catrin Miles said at Thursday’s meeting.

The cabinet member for Schools Service and Lifelong Learning said it was a “golden opportunity” to create the best education for children in the area.

Local member Cllr Marc Davies supported the proposal saying area schools were playing a larger part in Ceredigion’s role as one of the “best educators in Wales.”

He said closing schools was an emotive subject but “the creation of an area school is the only viable option” and it would mean an investment in the Aeron Valley of more than £7million.

Leader of the opposition Cllr Ceredig Davies said this school was “supporting education in rural areas.”

Another councillor with an area school in his ward Lynford Thomas opposed the plan, although he acknowledged his school had been successful.

“As all of you here I want the best for our children and our schools. Personally I see the 21st Century Schools being detrimental to a lot of Ceredigion areas,” he added, saying villages that had lost a school were now empty during the day.

Cllr Alun Lloyd Jones was also against closing smaller schools, with both men abstaining from the vote, which was otherwise totally in favour.

Cllr Euros Davies highlighted how pleased residents were in his area with the facilities and success of the larger Ysgol Dyffryn Cledlyn which saw three schools come together.