FOUR Aeron Valley schools could close under proposals being put forward as part of a review into education in the area.

The education department launched the review of education in the Aeron Valley as part of the ongoing review into education across the county, and proposals under consideration include closing schools at Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd and Felinfach – with two of the four options proposing the formation of a new area school.

Councillors on the learning communities scrutiny committee will discuss the proposals at a meeting on Monday, 9 May. Options put forward include retaining the 10 schools in the area as they are; closing just Cilcennin school; and closing Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd and Felinfach schools to open either a new area school at Felinfach’s Education Centre campus, or building a new area school at a central site.

Barry Rees, the strategic director for learning and partnerships, said the review was aimed at ensuring that surplus places at schools were addressed to ensure that schools were sustainable and cost-effective.

In the report he says: “Learning services has undertaken a review of the educational provision in the Aberaeron district with the main focal points of the report being: to improve the sufficiency and stability of school places in the Aberaeron district; to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the education estate.”

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