Powys County Council's cabinet is to consider the closure of a primary school in the north of the county.

Powys County Council is proposing to close Llangedwyn Church in Wales School and carried out a six-week consultation on the proposal between October and November 2023. The findings of the consultation will be considered by cabinet on Tuesday, December 19.

If given the go-ahead, the council will publish a statutory notice formally proposing the change. It would then be required to consider another report to conclude the process.

Chair of Governors at the school, Chris Richards, said he was disappointed with the news of the potential closure.

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“Llangedwyn School has served the local community for nearly 200 years and has an enviable reputation for providing a caring and nurturing environment for the children it has cared for over the years,” said Mr Richards.

“Many in the community will know that the school has been under constant threat of closure for over a decade. This has created real uncertainty for parents thinking of bring their children to us.

“This combination of the long-term uncertainty over the future of the school and the rapidly diminishing funding has created a situation where it is not possible for the governors to continue to believe that the school is sustainable.”

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The council has cited the small number of pupils at the school for its potential closure with the school having only seven pupils currently.

“The new schools funding formula introduced in recent years has moved from funding schools by the classroom to funding per pupil. This policy is very damaging to small schools,” added Mr Richards.

“Many of the governors have been associated with the school for decades and we have collectively done everything we can over the years to save Llangedwyn. The reality is that small schools throughout Powys are under threat and that many more will face what we are facing.

“This is a sad time for the school and the community, we believe that if the decision is made to close our wonderful school that we should spend the time we have left celebrating its amazing legacy.”

The closure would likely see the pupils at Llangedwyn being moved to a neighbouring school.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “After carefully considering all the consultations responses, the recommendation that Cabinet will be considering is to continue with the proposal by publishing the statutory notice formally proposing the closure of Llangedwyn Church in Wales School.

 “The proposal would address the issue of low numbers at Llangedwyn Church in Wales Primary School and it would increase pupil numbers at Llanfechain Church in Wales School. The proposal would also reduce the council’s overall surplus capacity in primary schools.”