Powys pupil denied free Builth bus after Irfon Valley closes

Irfon Valley Primary School closed at the end of term, and one family have also been left searching for a way to get their child to his new school.

Miriam Lacey’s young son Joshua has spent the last few years at the school in Garth, near Builth Wells, before it closed last month.

Joshua will attend Builth Wells Primary School when the new term begins next month, where many of his friends are also heading.

But Joshua won’t be able to get the school bus – Powys County Council rules say because he lives closer to another school he is not entitled to free transport.

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“It drives me insane,” said mum Miriam.

“He’s been very emotional and angry over the school closing anyway; he doesn’t understand why it’s closing.

“He’s asking me what’s going on and he usually gets the bus.”

Joshua’s friends who either live closer to Builth or are in the Welsh stream will be on the bus, Miriam must get him there herself, because he is in the English stream and because of their location.

The family live in Llangammarch Wells and, because Llanwrtyd Wells’ Ysgol Dolafon is closer, the authority will only provide transport there.

“The nearest English unit is Llanwrtyd and that was their simple response,” said Miriam.

“They’re going further for Welsh medium pupils and collecting them from our bus stop.

"My friend lives two minutes up the road, opposite the school in Garth, and her child is eligible for transport.

“So, I asked if I could just drop him there and they said no, it has to be door to door. But I know for a fact they pick up Welsh medium pupils from bus stops.

“I was also told we had four schools to choose from, but that wasn’t true, because Newbridge and Llanelwedd are both full.”

Joshua Lacey, pictured with younger sister Jasmine. (Image: Miriam Lacey)

Joshua will be attending Builth Wells Primary School when the new term begins next month, as that’s where many of his friends are heading too. (Image: Miriam Lacey)

The school was closed because of dwindling numbers, after governors approached the council last summer. Pupil numbers had been forecast to fall to 14, with the lack of after school clubs cited as a major reason for the falling numbers.

That in turn had affected its financial sustainability, the council said.

But Miriam added: “It’s such a good school because it has such small numbers.

“He’s had such a great start to life with the one-to-one teaching. You could understand closing a school if it was rubbish, but it wasn’t.

“At Dolafon we could have free transport but why would I send him to another small school?

“As a general rule, if a school has less than 90 pupils, they’re under threat. So, why send him there, another small school, for this to possibly happen again?"

Sje added: “Another family have even moved from Beulah to Builth, because of the transport farce. It’s mad.”

Daughter Jasmine, three, is now attending Cylch in Builth, having previously gone to Rainbow Tots, the pre-school at Irfon Valley.

A spokesperson for Powys County Council said: “For most learners previously attending Irfon Valley, their nearest school would be Ysgol Dolafon in Llanwrtyd Wells.

"However, those parents wishing their children to attend Welsh language provision are transported to Builth Wells as their nearest provision.

“The council respects parents’ choice in relation to the school they wish their child to attend. However, this does not necessarily entitle them to receive transport.

“The school buses the council provide to Builth carry those pupils entitled to receive transport and are often at capacity. The council cannot offer vacant seats due to restrictions in legislation.”