A CONSULTATION will be held this Autumn into plans to teach all under-7s in Ceredigion through the medium of Welsh.

The plans would be see big changes to education at four schools in the Aberystwyth area and Ysgol Cei Newydd in New Quay.

The council plans to launch Welsh-medium nursery classes at St Padarn’s and Comins Coch, with the existing nursery classes at Ysgol Plascrug and Llwyn yr Eos switched from bilingual to fully Welsh.

A new language centre will also be built at Ysgol Gymraeg which will add 30 new places as a ‘latecomers’ immersion centre’ for primary school aged youngsters with no Welsh.

The plan also calls for an “expansion of Welsh medium provision in all childcare provision in the Aberystwyth area”.

Ysgol Cei Newydd is the only English language primary school in Ceredigion outside the Aberystwyth area.

The council’s plan would create a new Welsh-medium nursery class at the school, with a target that all pupils are taught in Welsh up to the age of seven within 10 years.

Aberaeron has also been identified in the plan as an area where “more Welsh-medium childminder provision is required” to ensure youngsters are taught in Welsh.

During a Cabinet meeting held virtually on Tuesday, 15 June, members discussed the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for 2022-2032.

Cabinet Members agreed to hold a consultation period during the autumn term of 2021 for eight weeks, incorporating views by pupils, parents, schools and governing bodies.

Cllr Catrin Miles, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, Support and Intervention, said: “The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan reinforces Ceredigion County Council’s aspiration to strengthen the position of the Welsh language through its Language Strategy. I’m pleased to see that a consultation period will be held this autumn to gather ideas in order to plan and develop Welsh medium education in our county.”

Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of Ceredigion County Council, added: “I welcome this draft document which aims to create more opportunities for pupils across the county to take full advantage of Welsh medium education.”

Following the consultation period, feedback will be considered and the plan will be reintroduced to the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the full Council for consideration and final decision.