Castle Caereinion school campaign launched after closure plans commence
By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter and a MyWelshpool reporter
Earlier this week we reported how more than 1,000 people had signed a petition to save Churchstoke after news broke last week that four schools would be earmarked for closure across Powys.
The proposal was backed by Powys County Council’s cabinet yesterday who approved the process to begin with a public consultation starting by the end of the month. The move would save £58,000 a year.
Both villages say that while pupil numbers are currently low, the county council’s projections don’t take into account the housing developments planned for both villages in the coming years.
Around 100 houses are planned for Churchstoke, which currently has 38 pupils, while 31 new houses are earmarked for Castle Caereinion, which has 23 pupils attending.
“Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School is at the heart of our community and is under threat of being closed by Powys County Council,” said Paul Roberts, who launched the petition.
“Whilst we are aware that we are a relatively small school, we are a strong school and together with the wider community feel that our school is set for growth.”
At yesterday’s debate, it was pointed out that Castle Caereinion is a faith school, so children should be offered places at a similar school.
Cllr David Jones, who represents Castle Caereinion, said that discussions with the Diocese of St Asaph would be “key” to what happens to the school.
Cll 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.”
Cllr 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 Cllr Jones, who 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.”
Education consultant, Geraint Rees, said that they were “mindful” of engaging with staff, families and children, and would make sure that people that are excluded digitally 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 challenges around Covid,” said Mr Rees.
Head of Transformation and Communication, Emma Palmer, answered the question on school denomination.
She 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 go ahead and start the statutory process to close the school on August 31, 2022, with pupils transferring to their nearest alternative school.
The report showed that during 2020-21 each pupil cost £6,919 compared to the Powys average of £4,264.
The Castle Caereinion petition can be seen here
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