Plans that could help Powys County Council meet the aims of its Strategy for Transforming Education will be considered by Cabinet later this month, it has been announced.
The council is looking to continue to deliver the next wave of its Transforming Education Programme, which was relaunched last year along with an updated version of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys.
The latest plans, which will be considered by the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, October 17 and by Cabinet on Tuesday, October 24, are:
- Plans for Newtown schools
- Proposal to close Irfon Valley C.P. School
Plans for Newtown schools
The plans being considered by the council are to increase the capacity of the proposed new school building at Ysgol Calon y Dderwen so that pupils from Treowen C.P. School can also be included. It is the intention that, from September 2025, pupils continue to attend the existing Treowen building until the new building at Ysgol Calon y Dderwen is ready.
When the new building opens, the Treowen site closes and all pupils then move to the new school building for Ysgol Calon y Dderwen. Cabinet will be asked to approve the start of formal consultation.
Irfon Valley C.P. School
Following a significant decrease in pupil numbers at Irfon Valley C.P. School, and discussions with the school’s governing body, officers have reviewed the situation and considered potential solutions.
Whilst this is not part of an area catchment review, the Transforming Education Work Programme allows for reviews of individual schools on a case-for-case basis, based on specific circumstances.
Following this review, officers have recommended to Cabinet that the statutory process begins on a proposal to close Irfon Valley C.P. School from the 31st August 2024, with pupils to transfer to their nearest alternative schools in Powys.
All changes will be subject to the statutory school reorganisation process which involves further extensive consultation with schools and their communities, before any final decisions are made.
Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “Securing the best start in life for our young people is the only way that we can build a Stronger, Fairer and Greener Powys. One of the ways we can achieve this is by transforming education.
“I believe that these proposals meet the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys as we look to improve the learner entitlement and experience while delivering 21st Century facilities that would provide environments where learners and teachers thrive and reach their potential.
“The Irfon Valley proposal sits outside my preferred approach of reviewing entire catchments but it is essential for us to remain flexible and respond to concerns raised by individual governing bodies.”
