Call for urgent action calls over school places in Mid Wales
Continued pressure on secondary schools in Mid Wales due to falling student numbers demonstrates the need for urgent action to provide a sustainable future, council chiefs have claimed.
Latest figures show only two secondary schools in Powys will be oversubscribed for the September intake, with nearly 25 per cent of available places empty. In some cases, the figure is more than 50 per cent.
In Shropshire, a third of schools are oversubscribed, but 88 per cent of all places will be filled for the coming intake.
Powys County Council is currently reviewing secondary education in the county, which could see some schools close.
Councillor Arwel Jones, said: "The number of pupils entering the secondary sector is falling steadily, putting huge educational and financial pressures on our schools. Without action our schools will suffer.
"This September the county has 1,680 secondary places but has only allocated 1,226, creating a surplus for the year of nearly 25 per cent. Only two schools – Crickhowell and Llanfyllin High – received more applications than they had places."
He added: "The resulting pressure on our schools is all too clear and 75 per cent of our secondary schools will be in deficit by 2017 with a cumulative total in excess of £5 million. The review work is essential."
Karen Bradshaw, at Shropshire Council, added: "In terms of transfer to secondary school in September 2015, about one-third of Shropshire secondary schools are oversubscribed. North Shropshire has filled 84 per cent of places, south Shropshire 88 per cent and Shrewsbury 94 per cent. Overall 2,903 of the 3,297 places have been filled."
