Takeover proposal to aid struggling school
A struggling secondary school is today set to be taken over by one of the area's best performing schools under plans put forward by the county council.
John Beddoes School in Presteigne is expected to be formally recommended for closure by Powys County Council's Cabinet today so it can be taken over by Newtown High School, 30 miles away.
John Beddoes was placed in special measures by inspection body Estyn following a poor report last year, while over the past decade Newtown High School has transformed itself from one of the poorest performing to one of the best in Powys.
The county council's cabinet is meeting today at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, at 10am and is expected to back plans to turn John Beddoes into a campus of Newtown High School, overseen by the same headteacher. Newtown High School would provide "high-quality" education for 11 to 16-year-olds on the Presteigne campus, the county council said.
The proposals were drawn up in response to a letter from Welsh Education Minister Leighton Andrews, saying that he was considering using ministerial powers to close John Beddoes School.
John Beddoes became the first secondary school in the county to be placed in special measures last year.
Newtown High School is the county's first ever Lead Practitioner School, a Welsh Government initiative which sees the country's best performing schools providing support to others.
A decade ago Newtown High School was placed on a serious weakness list after a critical inspector's report, but since then it has seen a reversal in its fortunes.
Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, cabinet member for learning, said: "Our priority is to ensure that high quality, sustainable 11 to 16 secondary education thrives in Presteigne. Any alternative runs the risk of losing all secondary provision and that would have a hugely damaging impact on learners, the town and surrounding communities."
A group of concerned parents set up the Friends of John Beddoes School action group, who say they fear some students will now attend schools in England.
A spokeswoman said: "If the school is closed or taken over it will be the end of locally-accountable secondary education in East Radnorshire."
If the plan is backed, it will close and be taken over at the end of the year.
