Welshpool sixth form: MP slams closure plans

Montgomeryshire’s MP Steve Witherden has slammed plans that could see Welshpool High School’s sixth form closed with pupils sent to Newtown to study.

Our story yesterday sent shockwaves through the area, with Powys County Council’s post-16 education review coming up with the idea that two central English-medium sixth form campuses could be set up in Brecon and Newtown.

You can read that story here.

It didn’t go down well locally, and last night Mr Witherden joined the debate by accusing Powys of “continuing with their mission of downgrading public services”.

Here is what Steve Witherden MP has said:

“Powys County Council continue with their mission of downgrading public services. Today they announce proposals to replace every English-medium sixth form in the county with just two sites. The Montgomeryshire site will be in Newtown.

“I am supportive of boosting Welsh-medium learning, but I do not think that making English-speaking students travel further for post-16 education is fair. I would not be surprised if many more pupils in the north of the county choose to go across the border instead. Powys is just too big for this to work; the sixth forms should be kept open.

“Since my election I have repeatedly stood against the local consequences of austerity. I have done so on primary school closures, such as Ysgol Bro Cynllaith and Ysgol Treowen. I have done so on healthcare, with the downgrading of Llanidloes Hospital, deliberate increase of waiting times for cross-border treatment, or the planned closure of our air ambulance base. I did so just last week on tenant farmers, who are facing eviction due to ever deeper cost-cutting measures.

“We have been dealt blow after blow over the past few months. You can criticise the council for the management of its budget, but ultimately, we are feeling the sharp end of austerity because local authorities across the UK have had their real terms funding cut massively over the last decade and a half.

“Meanwhile, the gap between the very richest and everybody else continues to widen. But it is our services that get cut. Our operations that get delayed. Our schools that get shuttered. I will not stand for it.”