Cabinet approve consultation to move ahead with Castle Caereinion School closure

Closing the school is supposed to save Powys County Council around £58,000 a year.

It was pointed out at the council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 9, that Castle Caereinion is a faith school.

The expectation therefore would be that pupils would be offered places at a similar school.

Councillor David Jones who represents Castle Caereinion, pointed out that discussions with the Diocsese of St Asaph, would be “key” to what happens to the school.

Councillor Jones, said: “The diocese rightly brings attention to the fact that no special allowance has been made for the fact that it is a Church in Wales school.

“Welsh Government rules require that special attention be paid, if there is a possibility of pupils going to a school of a different denomination or none at all.

“The possible receiving school in Berriew is non-denomination.”

Councillor Jones explained that the school category is amber, which means that it needs improvement.

He said that when it was last assessed it could do no better than amber as the school had an “acting” headteacher.

The post had been made permanent a year ago, and there had “not been an opportunity” for the school to rise, said Councillor Jones.

He added: “There is no mention in the report of the community spirit, and it’s important to us. The report is not a balanced one.”

Adult Social Care and Welsh Language portfolio holder, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander, asked whether Covid-19 would have an effect on the consultation process.

Education consultant, Geraint Rees explained: “Covid clearly poses some challenges, but consultations nationally have been proceeding.

“Likewise the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme has not been suspended.”

Mr Rees added that they were “mindful” of engaging with staff, families and children, and would make sure that people that are excluded digital have other methods of contributing to a consultation.

He also said that any changes to Welsh Government guidance for consulting during the pandemic would be “built in” to any consultation.

“We can’t be certain how long this will continue and it’s not inconceivable that we have another year and a half of challenge around Covid,” said Mr Rees

Head of Transformation and Communication, Emma Palmer, answered the question on school denomination.

Ms Palmer, said: “I know Cllr David (Jones) referred to Berriew, we have actually articulated a number of different schools that would be identified as the nearest

“Welshpool Church in Wales School would have capacity, it’s up to family choice rather than the local authority dictating.”

Cabinet voted unanimously to goes ahead and start the statutory process to close the school on August 31, 2022, with pupils transferring to their nearest alternative school.

The report shows that the school has 23 pupils at the moment and is projected to go down to 19 by 2025.

During 2020-21 each pupil cost £6,919 compared to the Powys average of £4,264.