Controversy has erupted over proposals to close Llandinam Primary School, as local councillors express strong opposition to the plan during a council meeting on December 11, 2023. The meeting, held by the Learning and Skills Committee of Powys County Council, featured a report detailing community feedback regarding the potential closure of the small school, which serves just 35 pupils.
The report highlighted significant public opposition, with a petition titled “Save Llandinam CP School” gathering 745 signatures. In response to the proposal, Cllr Angela Davies criticized comparisons between school transformation efforts in different regions of Powys. She stated, “It is ridiculous to compare school transformation proposals for one part of Powys with the rest of the county.” Her comments underscored the unique challenges faced by rural schools.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Cllr Davies noted the distinct benefits of small schools. She remarked on the challenges faced by Llandinam’s Year One class, which currently has only five pupils, indicating that such a small cohort cannot adequately participate in extracurricular activities like sports teams.
Judith Hickey, the Head of Additional Learning Needs, Inclusion, and Wellbeing, acknowledged that while transformation has successfully occurred in areas like Ystradgynlais, the outcomes may not be directly applicable to Llandinam. Hickey, a former headteacher at Ysgol Golwg y Cwm primary school, emphasized that larger schools can offer more opportunities for extracurricular activities, which has been beneficial in the Ystradgynlais area.
Cllr Sue McNicholas, representing Ynyscedwyn, echoed Hickey’s sentiments, stating, “We resisted, we fought against the closure of all the schools, but we were wrong.” This acknowledgment of past decisions reflects a growing recognition of the complexities involved in school closures.
Conversely, Cllr Aled Davies, leader of the Conservative group, argued against the applicability of the Ystradgynlais model to rural Powys. He pointed out that the geographical realities differ significantly, with students in rural areas often needing to travel long distances. “You have to be careful when you say that something works in one area so it will be fine in another,” he stressed.
In recent years, both Ysgol Llangedwyn and Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Cllr Davies’ ward have faced closure. He supported the closure of Llangedwyn due to low enrollment numbers and proximity to other schools but opposed the closure of Bro Cynllaith, noting that a third of its pupils have since moved to schools across the border in Shropshire.
Marianne Evans, Head of Transforming Education, reiterated Cllr Davies’ perspective, explaining that during the transformation process in both Ystradgynlais and the Gwernyfed catchment areas, new school facilities were constructed alongside closures, ensuring that educational quality and opportunities were maintained.
The Learning and Skills Committee’s recommendations will now be incorporated into the report to be presented to the Liberal Democrat/Labour Cabinet, where a decision on the next steps in the process is anticipated. The ongoing debate highlights the broader challenges faced by rural education in maintaining adequate access and quality for students across the Powys region.
