Parents in a Gwynedd village face an anxious few months after councillors commissioned a report which could decide the fate of the local school.

According to Gwynedd Council, Ysgol Llanaelhaearn is expected to have only 11 pupils on the books come September, despite having a capacity of 53.

Amid ongoing concern over dwindling numbers, members of the council Cabinet have commissioned a report on the future options which will include holding formal meetings with the governing body.

If approved, a formal report is expected in October 2019 which could include the possibility of closure.

But local councillor, Aled Wyn Jones, urged members to consider all factors when coming to a decision regarding the Llyn school.

“It’s fair to say there are many factors which have led to the falling numbers, and I’m sure these will be made clear in due course,” he told the Cabinet meeting in Caernarfon.

“It is possible to find an answer to this sad situation and while I accept there will be financial issues if pupil numbers do not rise, I urge you to consider the quality of education and the happiness of pupils and parents when coming to a decision.

“This school has excellent staff who are working hard to ensure the best quality standards of education.”

But the Cabinet member for education told councillors that the schools was in a “vulnerable position” due to being 79 per cent below capacity, with additional estimates showing that pupil numbers could fall to as low as eight by 2021.

As a result, Cllr Cemlyn Williams said it would be “irresponsible” of the authority not to consider the future.

Despite this he confirmed that the authority would have to meet the guidelines of the new Schools Organisations Code – which Anglesey Council recently fell foul of when trying to close some rural schools on the island.

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