Councillors support ‘all-through’ school

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors broadly welcomed moves to amalgamate Llanfyllin Primary and High Schools to become Powys’ second all through age four to 18 school.

At Powys County Council’s (PCC) full meeting, members aired their views on the reorganisation and their opinions will help Cabinet make their final decision on Tuesday.

Education portfolio holder, Cllr Myfanwy Alexander, explained why the decision needed to be made: “This is the result of a radical departure in school organisation policy. We have many issues with schools regarding size and location, ability to attract staff.

“And we know schools form a central role in the heart of their communities. This is a policy to modernise school from the outside in and bottom up.”

Cllr Alexander pointed to past attempted reorganisations that had led to protests and decisions not taken because they did not “have the consent of the community”.

She added that children in years five to eight can “plateau” in their learning and this was due to the inability to transition between primary and secondary school.

She also pointed out that Powys schools were second in Wales in terms of performance and that Bro Hyddgen in Machynlleth, the county’s other current all through school, had seen results improve.

Cllr Alexander said: “Llanfyllin Primary School struggled to find a headteacher, we know that leadership is key to flourishing schools. One of the problems finding leaders is there is no (careers) ladder for teachers to climb. A larger school would provide that.”

Llanfyllin county councillor, Peter Lewis supported the move and said: “I believe this will take away the uncertainty for teachers, pupils and parents that has hung over us for 10 long years.”

Cllr Lucy Roberts and Llanfyllin High School chair of governors added that the staff, pupils and parents were “enthusiastic” about the move.

But other councillors wondered if this decision was being taken early and would have an impact on moves to centralise six forms in one school to provide more choice for pupils?

Welshpool’s Cllr Graham Breeze said: “I do have some reservations. The combinations of high school and primary is a positive step for Llanfyllin. But, is this not the case of putting the cart before the horse? We are very close to starting a sixth form review for the whole of Powys.

“How can Llanfyllin have an all through school, when just down the road (in Welshpool) we may be having talks for a sixth form centre for the whole of North Powys?”

Marianne Evans, school transformation manager, said: “The post-16 education review will be coming to cabinet in the next few months. We could be waiting a long time for everything to be in place.

“Should there be any changes to sixth forms including Llanfyllin that would be subject to the same statutory requirement and another consultation. It does not mean there can’t be changes at a later date.”

If the decision is taken by Cabinet, both schools would close on August 31, 2020. And on the next day, September 1, 2020, a fully bilingual all through school from the age of 4 to 18 will open.

The consultation took place from the end of November 2018 to the end of January 2019.

The proposal was supported by 63% with 29% against and 8% “don’t knows”.