Village school could close

Pontfadog primary school in the Ceiriog Valley near Chirk is being recommended for closure by education officers. They say the growing number of children opting for Welsh medium education has contributed to the recommendation.

There are 18 pupils at the school.

Wrexham Borough councillors meet on Tuesday to consider a report on the future of the Ceiriog Valley Federation of schools.

There are currently three primary schools in the valley, the Welsh medium Llanarmon primary, dual stream Cynnddelw at Glyn Ceriog and the English medium Pontfadog.

The report says: "There is a growing Welsh medium demand in the valley and the English medium numbers are dropping as a consequence at both Pontfadog and within the Cynddelw English medium stream."

A consultation was undertaken looking at three options, retaining the status quo, changing the status of Ysgol Cynnddelw to Welsh medium and allocating English medium children to Pontfadog or closing Pontfadog and re-locating pupils to Cynnddelw.

"A move to lose the English medium only school at Pontfadog and those pupils accessing a larger, dual stream school will lead to a more effective and efficient education system within the Valley Federation. There would be investment required to increase the provision at Cynddelw to accommodate a larger group of pupils," the report says.

If councillors vote for the recommendation Pontfadog school would close in July 2019.

Closing the school would save the council more than £98,000.