News

Parents and governers get chance to fight for schools

THE fight to save two rural schools from closure will go before a full meeting of Ceredigion Council tomorrow (Thursday 18 February).

Schools at Capel Seion, near Aberystwyth and Mydroilyn, near Aberaeron, have been earmarked for closure by the council’s education department with members of the council’s Cabinet already saying they support the closure plans.

But governors and parents at both schools will get a chance to make the case to keep the schools open after the authority’s education scrutiny committee said the closures should be discussed by the whole council.

Education director Eifion Evans said both schools should close after pupil numbers dropped below 16. He said that it increased the cost of education per pupil and caused problems because both schools could only employ one teacher under regulations.

The Cabinet decision was called in by Catrin Miles, Rhodri Davies and Ellen ap Gwynn. And Cllr ap Gwynn said: “We felt these matters aren’t being discussed in-depth and properly. I know in Capel Seion there is a strong feeling to keep education provision in the village. I accepted our policy on small schools on the condition that we listened to the community.”

Councillors on the committee agreed that the closure plan for both schools should go to a meeting of the full council on Thursday, 18 February.

• Pictured is under-threat Ysgol Capel Seion
• See this week's Cambrian News for the full story