Powys school stays open - despite having no pupils

A MID WALES primary school will remain open for about five more months – despite having no pupils.

Councillors yesterday backed plans to close Aberhafesp Primary School, near Newtown, by Christmas.

The school had 12 pupils until it broke up for the summer holidays last week, but four of these are due to move up to secondary schools from September.

Seven of the remaining pupils have applied to transfer to another school, and council chiefs expect the final child to also do this soon – meaning there will be no pupils for the September term.

Members of Powys County Council's cabinet yesterday said the school would close from December, despite there being no pupils when the school returns after the summer..

But they said the council had a legal duty to keep it open until the end of the year, because by law it needs to give one term's notice to close a school.

Today the authority said it would continue to maintain the school until the end of the year, but was unable to say how much this will cost.

The council was also unable to say how many members of staff would be affected by the closure.

Pupil numbers at the school have plummeted since being placed in "special measures" by watchdog Estyn last year.

Councillor Stephen Hayes, the council's cabinet member for learning and leisure, yesterday said pupils had already left the school.

He said: "Due to the very small number of pupils, a managed transfer by the council has taken place and seven of the remaining pupils have applied to transfer to other schools in September leaving one of whom, officers understand, intends to do so shortly.

The school will therefore have no pupils there in September.

"The council must give one term's notice to a school proposed for closure as well as undertaking a formal statutory notice procedure."

He added no plans had been made for the future use of the school building.

"The closure of the school will inevitably have a detrimental impact, he said.

"The community hall is also a venue for many community activities and the council will endeavour to support the village's ambition to retain the community hall (adjoined to the school) for community use."

By Anwen Evans