Wales-England border school taken off closure list

A primary school on the Wales-England border has been taken off a council's closure list - for now.

Powys council has confirmed that Brynhafren Community Primary School in Crew Green is no longer part of its reorganisation plans.

The school was highlighted at a meeting of the council’s cabinet during a debate around a proposal to start the legal process of closing Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin, which is on the Powys/Shropshire border near Oswestry.

Fears were aired that when a border primary school closes its pupils move to those in Shropshire or Herefordshire rather than the Powys one earmarked for them by education officers.

The council said it had reviewed the school's position "and will not be bringing forward a proposal, at this time. However, we will continue to monitor the situation in the area".

A report by inspectors Estyn in May described 31-pupil Brynhafren as "a happy and inclusive school where pupils thrive", and the "dedicated head teacher and staff work together effectively to ensure that the well-being of pupils is at the forefront of the school".

The area, which is close to the confluence of the Vyrnwy and Severn rivers, is prone to flood during heavy rain which sometimes sees the road bridge at Llandrinio washed out.

Conservative councillor Lucy Roberts, whose ward includes Crew Green, said: "I understand that there were a number of factors contributing to this decision, including flooding of the B4393 which would make travel to alternative schools in Arddleen and Llandysilio difficult and potentially result in lost days schooling.”

Long term council plans had included building a school at an unconfirmed site in the Four Crosses area.

This would have taken pupils from Carreghofa (Llanymynech) and Llandysilio (Four Crosses) primary schools in the Llanfyllin catchment area.

Arddleen and Brynhafren primary schools from the Welshpool catchment area were added to the idea.

In May, the council's Liberal Democrat/Labour cabinet agreed a £300m school building programme for the next decade with the new area school included in the potential projects from 2030.

Powys council said further discussions will take place with Arddleen, Carreghofa and Llandysilio schools to "explore the possibility of establishing an area school".