Brecon and Radnorshire Conservatives have spoken of their disappointment following Powys County Council's unanimous decision to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon primary school.
At the end of January, Fay Jones MP & James Evans MS joined Cllr Iain McIntosh on a save and rebuild Cradoc School protest walk from Cradoc School to the Powys County Council Office on Camden Way in Brecon. Joined by over 50 people consisting of Councillors, Governors, residents, grandparents pupils and parents they delivered a letter of objection with 25 reasons explaining why Cradoc should be saved and rebuilt. This walk also followed the Council's recent decision to also close Llanbedr Church in Wales school.
Commenting after the Powys County Council meeting Cllr Iain McIntosh said :
“The Welsh Government Education minister, Jeremy Miles MS, has confirmed that the new curriculum has been designed FOR small schools.
Dolau school may be a small school, but it is doing what it is supposed to do. It is at capacity, delivering an excellent education for pupils in the area. The school is not running at a deficit, if has good staff, good governance and it serves the community for extra curricular activities and events too
During this morning’s meeting, education officers admitted the school is being closed ‘to realise a financial saving’ - that is what this is all about; saving money. I am hopeful the judicial hearing which will now commence will provide the reasons why this school should not close”
In a joint statement :
Fay Jones MP & James Evans MS added “We are saddened with the decision this morning to close Dolau Primary School. Rural schools not only provide excellent learning opportunities for our children, they are the heart of our communities and they need our full support for future generations. James was educated at a small rural school here in Brecon and Radnorshire and knows fully well the fantastic education he was provided.
The Brecon and Radnorshire team are totally against these proposals"
