Protest pledge in school axe talks

Angry parents, teachers, and governors were travelling to Llandrindod Wells today to lobby Powys County Council in a bid to stop the "devastation" of the county's education system.

Powys Against Cuts in Education is calling on the council to safeguard the future of all high schools and sixth forms in the region.

The lobbying group said it would continue to campaign until the council throws out its proposals.

It is feared high schools at Llanidloes, Gwernyfed, Crickhowell, Llanfyllin or Llanfair Caereinion and Builth Wells or Llandrindod Wells, could close.

Sixth forms at every school across the county could also shut with pupils being sent to the three Coleg Powys sites, but council bosses have stressed no decisions have been made.

Councillors have already held an emergency debate to discuss proposals, and plans to set up a special committee as part of its review into secondary education are due to be determined by full council today.

Mary Compton, lobby organiser, said the group would not rest until the plans to close high schools and sixth forms were abandoned.

She said: "We want to ensure that the so-called 'school modernisation' process does not include the closing of sixth forms or high schools in Powys.

"All of Powys' high schools are vital to their local communities and provide, by any measure, a high standard of education."