Objections to merging schools in Llanfair Caereinion were brushed aside as Powys County Council continues with the amalgamation.
At their meeting on Tuesday, May 18, the Independent/Conservative cabinet looked at the official objections to the legal notice which starts the process of merging Llanfair Caereinion Primary School and Caereinion High School into an all through four- to 18-year-old school.
In total there were 31 objections, some of which complained that Llanfair Caereinion could become the Welsh medium secondary school for the Severn Valley area, when other sites might be better suited geographically.
Powys County Councillor for Llanfair Caereinion, Gareth Jones: “I’ve read in detail the 31 objections to this.
“I’m sure it’s been noted that this is a proposal for an all through school in Llanfair Caereinion and that some of the objections seem to be based around the establishment of a Welsh school in certain areas and not Llanfair.”
In the consultation on the proposal 52 per cent of respondents indicated that they supported the merger, Cllr Jones assured cabinet that support in the town for this was much higher than that.
“We are committed to all through school and look forward to working with officers to move this forward”, said Cllr Jones.
Adult social care and Welsh language portfolio holder, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander is a former Caereinion High School head girl.
Cllr Alexander said: “I want to welcome this, it’s the best solution for our community, it’s the best solution to allow us to build a really strong curriculum offer.
“It’s a very firm jumping off point for the journey on which the school is going.
“This is not the end of the development in Caereinion catchment area but the beginning.
“There is a great deal of community support and willingness to put our shoulders to the wheel to create an aspirational vision for the school which reflects its community.”
Education portfolio holder, Cllr Phyl Davies, said: “In terms of Welsh medium in the Severn valley I appreciate there has been strong feeling around this report.
“If it becomes apparent that developing designated Welsh-medium provision in Llanfair Caereinion will not be desirable or possible, the council will reconsider its previous plans to develop Welsh-medium provision within the Severn Valley, to ensure that designated Welsh medium provision can be offered to pupils in the area.
“If this were to go ahead, there could potentially be an impact on the all-age school in Llanfair Caereinion.”
Cllr Davies welcomed the comments made by Cllrs Jones and Alexander of endeavouring to make this proposal work.
The proposal to continue he merger was backed unanimously by cabinet.
It is expected that the council can close the schools on August 31, 2022 and they open as an all through school on September 1, 2022.
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