Mid Wales school closure plan 'vital due to deficit', say council

Powys County Council announced earlier this year that it is looking to close a "sufficient number of high schools", thought to be three, as part of cost cutting measures.

Councillor Arwel Jones, cabinet member for schools, said: "Currently we have too few children spread across a number of schools which affects the range of the curriculum that can be offered on any one site. This is not the best use of resources and risks putting our young people at an educational disadvantage when schools in other counties are able to provide a wider selection of courses in better facilities.

"Our school buildings must be fit for purpose, meet pupils' needs and be resources which the whole community can use. We must ensure our young people are able to compete with other parts of the UK and have access to the best educational start in life."

Councillor Jones said the county's current structure of secondary schools is "no longer viable".

He said: "It is also in everyone's interest that the council's focus is on driving up the attainment and ambition of the majority of its pupils with a special emphasis on those from more disadvantaged backgrounds.

"We must achieve this in the context of significant financial pressures brought about by falling school rolls and poor budget settlements.

"We know that many schools have already taken difficult decisions in the face of these pressures, but much more is needed. The current secondary structure is no longer viable. Without action 75 per cent of schools will be in deficit by 2017 to the sum of £5 million. The scale of the problem has the potential to undermine the stability of secondary education in Powys and compromise the council's entire budget."

The next step in the process will see the council's cabinet decide which areas of the proposals can be carried out immediately and which will require detailed examination.

Councillor Jones also pledged that in locations where schools are to close communities will be fully consulted.

He said: "On March 24 the cabinet will be asked to accept the key principles that will drive the process, the overall goals we set ourselves as an education authority now and for the future. Cabinet will also be asked to prioritise the roll-out of the Secondary Reorganisation Programme by agreeing areas for immediate action and areas where further detailed business cases are required.

"While urgent and decisive action is needed, it will not be rushed and the communities affected by any proposals will have a clear opportunity to take part and express their opinions."