Newtown area school could close this year

Plans have been drawn up which could see a primary school near Newtown closed for good later this year - amid claims it could have just six pupils by September.

Aberhafesp County Primary School has seen pupil numbers fall since being placed in "special measures" following an Estyn report, with figures projected to fall to an all-time low by the start of the new term.

The school is already one of 11 primary schools in the county with fewer than 30 pupils earmarked for closure by Powys County Council.

But with the plunging pupil numbers, the council could act by shutting it this year instead of along with the others at a later date.

Powys County Council's board will be asked to start formal consultation procedures to close the school when it meets on Tuesday at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells.

Councillor David Jones, board member for schools, said: "Closing a small school is never an easy decision but it is clear that Aberhafesp Primary School is no longer viable.

"Pupil numbers have been falling for a number years but have plunged following the Estyn report.

"If it remained open the cost per pupil would be approximately four times the county average."

Councillor Jones said his report would be recommending formal closure consultation starting immediately and that the school is closed this year.

"I am recommending that formal closure consultation starts immediately and that the school closes as soon as possible," he said.

If the recommendation is approved by the board, consultation will be held with staff and governors on April 14. Formal consultation will run until the end of May with a formal closure notice published in June.

Councillor Joy Shearer, who represents Aberhafesp on Powys County Council, said: "It'll be a sad day if the school closes because a school is the heart of a community," she said.

The Wales education watchdog Estyn last year found the school lacked "a clear direction and sense of purpose".

By Andrew Morris