A REVIEW of a small school near Lampeter with only 18 pupils will be carried out by Ceredigion County Council.

Ysgol Gymunedol Cilcennin has seen pupil numbers drop over the years and it has been agreed that a panel will visit and review the school.

In 2013 there were 42 pupils, 29 in 2015 and 22 in 2017. The school has a capacity of 52.

A report from corporate lead officer for schools Meinir Ebsworth states that the average cost per pupil at the school is £6,435, nearly double the county average of £3,777.

Local member Marc Davies said he met with parents and governors earlier this month and was dis­appointed no senior council officer attended.

Draft options for consideration include keeping the status quo, removing foundation phase provision or closing the school.

“The parents were very cross that these options were in front of them,” he added.

Cllr Davies said an opposition group had been started and he asked the process be delayed until the proposed new ‘area school’ for Dyffryn Aeron is in place.

The council’s learning communities overview and scrutiny committee voted in favour of the review on Thursday, 26 April.