Parents and children are set to gather in Newtown to protest against plans to close a primary school in the town.
Treowen C.P. School in south Newtown could close by September 2025 and merge with the larger Ysgol Calon y Dderwen, formerly Hafren and Ladywell Green schools, then move into a new building on a site with the yet-to-be-built health and wellbeing campus in Park Street during 2026 or 2027.
A six-week public consultation into the proposals launched last week by Powys County Council will end on Monday, February 26.
Louise Swan, one of the parents affected by the proposed closure, said: "I want people to save the school. It’s a big part of the community.
“My whole entire family went to the school, and it means a big deal to us. I want my little boy to follow in his big brother’s footsteps.
"The whole community don’t want the closure to happen. They’re worrying about how to get their children to the new school. It’s one hell of a trek to get there.
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"Parents don’t want it to happen and are willing to fight.
"It’s a proper community school. It means a lot to us. The teachers are absolutely amazing. My little boy has been there 12 months and the confidence he's grown is amazing. I am worried that might be lost in a bigger school."
The protest will take place outside Treowen C.P. School on Monday, January 29, from 3.25pm.
Powys County Council proposes to close the 105-pupil school and merge it with the 251-pupil Ysgol Calon y Dderwen for a number of reasons including a “significant” drop in pupil numbers by January 2028, reducing a large surplus of places in Newtown, moving into a modern building and running the school more efficiently through shared staffing and resources.
The council has noted disadvantages to the proposal such as the impact closing the school would have on staff, possible increase in traffic near Ysgol Calon y Dderwen, pupils having to travel further to get to school, parents concerned about a larger school than they are used to, and that the proposed changes wouldn't address the backlog of maintenance issues at Maesyrhandir C.P. School.
Parents and children will also be collecting signatures for a petition at Bear Lanes Shopping Centre in Newtown from 9.30am on Saturday, January 27. Hundreds of people have already signed the petition urging the council not to close the school.
The ongoing public consultation which ends in late February is available online at www.haveyoursaypowys.wales, by sending an email to school.organisation@powys.gov.uk, telephoning 01597 826265 or by writing to Transforming Education Team, School Service, Powys County Hall, Spa Road East, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG.
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