Plans to merge two schools agreed by Powys County Council
A plan to merge two schools as one all-age school has been approved by a council.
Powys County Council said it will now establish a new all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion – it will be created by closing Llanfair Caereinion C.P. School and Caereinion High School and setting up a new, four to 18 all-age school on the existing sites from September 2022.
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.
After receiving and considering the objection report, the council's cabinet today approved the proposal.
Councillor 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’m delighted that cabinet have approved the proposal to establish the all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion, which will benefit both pupils and teaching staff.
“Although the main issues raised in the objections are about the need for a designated Welsh-medium secondary school, the proposal was specifically about establishing an all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion.
“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 with the two schools and feeder schools.
“This dialogue will now continue at pace 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.”
