YET another small, rural Powys primary school appears to be on the brink of closure, due to a “significant” decrease in pupil numbers.

Irfon Valley Community Primary School in Garth, near Builth Wells, will close if a recommendation to Powys County Council’s (PCC) cabinet is approved at the end of the month.

PCC is proposing to close the school, despite the fact it received a glowing Estyn inspection report in November 2022.

The local authority carried out a six-week consultation on the proposal between October and December. Its findings will be considered by PCC’s cabinet on Tuesday, January 23.

The cabinet will also be asked to continue with the process to close Irfon Valley, which currently has 18 pupils.

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.

“The council would like to thank all those who took part in the consultation exercise for this proposal,” said Councillor Pete Roberts, cabinet member for a Learning Powys.

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“After carefully considering all the consultation’s responses, the recommendation that cabinet will be considering is to continue with the proposal by publishing the statutory notice formally proposing the closure of Irfon Valley School.

“The decrease in pupil numbers has impacted on the school’s educational and financial sustainability and this needs to be addressed.

“The proposal would address the issue of low pupil numbers at Irfon Valley. It would also reduce the council’s overall surplus capacity in primary schools while providing a revenue saving to the council.”

In October 2023 we reported how a recommendation had been made to close the school due to the "significant" decrease of pupil numbers.

If the decision is formalised it is thought the school would shut this September. Current pupils would then attend their nearest alternative school in the area if the plan is given the go-ahead.

The proposal comes after discussions with the school’s governing body and officers reviewing the situation and considering potential solutions.

The local authority said that although this is not part of an area catchment review, its transforming education work programme allows for reviews of individual schools on a case-for-case basis, based on specific circumstances.

County Times: Irfon Valley Primary School pupils celebrate with Mr Urdd and ambassadors Euros and Jemima. Irfon Valley Primary School pupils celebrate with Mr Urdd and ambassadors Euros and Jemima.

A little over a year ago the school was being praised for the “caring and nurturing” environment it provides for its pupils.

The special relationship between pupils and staff was highlighted by Estyn.

Executive headteacher Rhoanne Clark was left beaming by the report, which she said was reward for the small but dedicated team of staff at the school, as well as for the pupils, who have been through such a testing period during the pandemic.

“It’s a team effort,” said Ms Clark. “It’s about making sure they’ve got some lifelong memories and experiences to take away with them.

“We try and provide them with opportunities, and that is what came out loud and clear in the report. There’s a strong relationship between staff and pupils.

“The progress they make from when they come in to when they go out is incredible. Especially when you think about the circumstances people have been working and living in for the last 2-3 years.”

To read the council’s strategy for transforming education 2020-2032 and details of the transforming education programme wave 2 (2022-2027), visit www.powys.gov.uk/transformingeducation.