Powys Council's cabinet has given its backing to moving forward with plans that could close three schools in the county.

Three schools in Powys could potentially combine or be closed as part of the council’s proposed plan to transform education in the area, with Llangedwyn Church in Wales School, Ysgol Bro Cynllaith and Brynhafren County Primary School all expected to shut under the proposals.

The cabinet backed the proposals at a meeting on Tuesday, September 26, voting in favour of the preferred method of transforming education in the Llanfyllin and North Welshpool catchment by investing in up to three new schools to replace the “ageing school estate”.

The discussed plans also included moving other schools, including Ysgol Bro Caereinion, along the language continuum to become a Welsh-medium school.

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The proposals are part of the council’s efforts to move forward with their Transforming Education Programme, which was re-launched in 2022.

Cllr Pete Roberts, cabinet member for a learning Powys, said: “Securing the best start in life for our young people is the only way that we can build a Stronger, Fairer and Greener Powys. One of the ways we can achieve this is by transforming education.

“These proposals would see the council provide well planned provision for increasing the opportunities for a growing number of children and young people to become fully bilingual, fluent in both Welsh and English while delivering 21st Century facilities that would provide environments where learners and teachers thrive and reach their potential.

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“I believe that these proposals meet the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys and implement the commitments in our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, which will enable us to make good progress against our target of increasing the number of pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh.”

Powys Council reportedly agreed that their preferred way forward for the Transforming Education programme would be increased investment in new schools, while supporting others to alter their language provisions and provide more Welsh-medium education.

This plan could see some schools combine and marge, while others may be closed or replaced with new facilities.

Cllr Roberts added: “All changes will be subject to the statutory school reorganisation process which involves further extensive consultation with school and their communities, before any final decisions are made.”