Calls for Welshpool to have centralised sixth form

Civic leaders have called for a centralised sixth form to be built in Welshpool under plans to modernise secondary education in the county.

Welshpool Town Council has said other sixth form colleges around the county should be closed and centralised in a few locations as part of a drive to save the county council money.

But councillors want one of the sites to be based in the town.

At meeting of the council's finance and general purposes committee last night councillors agreed changes would need to be made to secondary school education.

Powys County Council is carrying out a secondary school modernisation review, which could see the potential closure of several secondary schools in the region.

It has now published an in-depth report outlining challenges and possible future options and is asking residents, community councils and youngsters to comment.

Centralising

Robert Robinson, council clerk, said "doing nothing" and sticking to the existing arrangements was not an option.

"Falling pupil numbers, changes in education and legislative requirements and finances are the reasons why changes need to be made," he said.

Councillor Shane Squibb said out of the seven models being put forward in the document - she preferred the option of leaving high schools as they are for 11-16 year olds and centralising sixth forms.

At the moment sixth form education is provided at most secondary schools in the county but under proposals they could close and be provided in fewer areas.

Councillor Squibb said: "I prefer the options of keeping education for the 11-16 year olds at the high schools and having centralised sixth forms in Newtown, Welshpool and Brecon for those over 16."

Councillor Hazel Evans agreed but said centralised sites should be based at both Newtown and Welshpool. She said: "People from Llanfyllin won't want to travel as far as Newtown and people from Llanidloes as far as Welshpool."

By Anwen Evans