PARENTS in Machynlleth are said to be considering sending their children to secondary schools elsewhere, after the town’s new ‘super-school’ was ranked among the worst in Wales.

The warning comes from town councillors, after Ysgol Bro Hyddgen received a ‘red’ ranking in the recent Welsh Government tables.

Machynlleth town councillors have called for assurances on staff retention and education quality at the school after hearing “significant concerns” from residents.

Cllr Gareth Jones told members at a town council meeting that, when the new school was mooted in 2013, Powys council argued it would lead to “an improvement in educational standards and outcomes for pupils”.

“Why is it then that such a short time afterwards, the performance has dipped so much?” he said.

“There has been a reduction in teaching staff since September and suddenly we have a red rating. I can well understand why people feel deceived, let down and cheated over this whole process.

“We need to urgently prevent any further reduction in education standards here.”

Cllr Rhydian Mason said: “A good school is the cornerstone of any community. We all thought the all-through school was going to be a huge boost for the area. Instead I have many parents who are considering taking secondary school pupils away from Machynlleth. People deserve to know what’s going on.”