CONSULTATION on a proposal to close a south Powys primary school has been extended.

Powys County Council is looking to reconfigure and rationalise the primary school provision in the county as part of its ‘Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030’ and is proposing to close Llanbedr Church in Wales School, near Crickhowell.

The council is asking for views from the public on the proposal, which can now be provided until Wednesday, June 23.

To respond to the consultation, visit https://en.powys.gov.uk/transformingeducation and follow the links to give your views online.

If you would like a paper copy of the consultation document, contact the transforming education team by phone 01597 826618 or email school.organisation@powys.gov.uk.

You can respond in writing via post at: Transforming Education Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LG.

If the proposal goes ahead, the school could close at the end of August 2022 with pupils transferring to their nearest alternative school.

Councillor Phyl Davies, cabinet member for education and property, said: “We are committed to transforming the learner experience and entitlement for our learners and we will achieve this by delivering our ‘Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys 2020-2030’.

“Our strategy is ambitious, exciting and we believe it will give our learners the best possible start they deserve. However, as we start to implement it, we will be faced with significant decisions as we look to address some of the challenges facing education in Powys which include the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers and the high number of surplus places.

“This proposal has not been reached lightly but we have ensured that the best interests of the learners at this school were at the forefront of our discussions and decision-making.

“If this school is to close, then the learners would be attending schools that would be better equipped to meet the requirements of the new national curriculum and that could provide a wider range of educational and extra-curricular opportunities.

“However, it is important that the people of this school community as well as the wider area have their say on this proposal. I would urge them to send their views so that they can be considered.”

Supporters of the school have, however, reacted angrily to the proposed closures and lambasted the council’s policy.

“They are pressing ahead with this even though our children have already endured an unprecedented year of worry and upheaval,” said supporters of the school in a statement.

“We totally refute the assertion made by Powys County Council that the closure decision has been made in the best interests of the learners and that the children were at the forefront of the decision making. Powys are not providing any new schools in our area and our children are NOT part of their ‘Transforming Education’ plans.

“Powys state that the children would be attending schools better equipped to deliver the new curriculum with a wider range of educational and extra-curricular opportunities. This is also untrue as Llanbedr is at the forefront in implementing the new curriculum and is more than equipped to deliver the requirements of the new curriculum in the future.

“The school provides an extensive range of educational and extra-curricular activities for pupils and members of the community. There are outstanding facilities including much outdoor learning, sport, puppet club, and only last week a Year 3 pupil won a county art prize. In 2018 Llanbedr won the Welsh Primary Schools Cricket Championship and, in 2019, were overall champions in a national STEM competition.”