High schools unite to save sixth forms
Both sixth forms are in serious danger of being lost, with Powys County Council wanted to streamline their offering by centralising all Post-16 teaching at a new hub in Newtown.
But that would mean a journey time of nearly an hour-and-a-half for some pupils in the north of the county with both schools concerned that it will lead to a mass brain drain to Oswestry and Shrewsbury sixth forms.
Last night, Dewi Owen, Headteacher of Ysgol Llanfyllin, said that he is encouraging the public to stand against the proposals and to back the public meeting at the Town Hall on September 23.
“Closing our sixth forms would be a devastating blow to the young people of North Powys,” he said. “It would lead to an exodus of students out of the county, as many will not accept long, exhausting journeys to and from Newtown each day.
“From Llanrhaeadr alone, pupils face a one-way public transport journey of around 1 hour 30 minutes - this is simply unacceptable. Our young people deserve local, high-quality education on their doorstep.”
It has also been revealed that the headteachers and governors of Welshpool, Llanfyllin and Llanfair Caereinion are developing a TRISGOL+ model as a viable and ambitious alternative to closure.
TRISGOL+ would give students access to the full range of academic and vocational courses across the three school campuses, in both English and Welsh. It builds on the already successful Trisgol partnership, combining the very best of each school through a blend of face-to-face learning and innovative online provision.
Mr Owen told us that this model reflects the spirit of collaboration and learner-centred provision that organisations such as Medr and Estyn emphasise in their frameworks.
“It offers sustainability, choice, and continuity—while keeping education rooted in our communities,” he said, adding that the message was clear: the future of post-16 education in North Powys must not be dictated by closure and centralisation. Instead, it should be strengthened through partnership, innovation and local leadership.
Event Details
Welshpool Town Hall
Tuesday, September 23
6pm
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