'Smallest school' with 25 pupils to close

Powys Council has announced the closure of the 25-pupil Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin

Councillors have voted to close the smallest primary school in Powys, in a move some have warned could see students move to schools outside Wales.

Powys council announced the closure of the 25-pupil Ysgol Bro Cynllaith in Llansilin from 31 August, with students expected to move to Ysgol Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant, about six miles (9.6km) away.

But critics said parents could choose to send their children to schools in Oswestry, Shropshire, which is a similar distance away.

Ysgol Bro Cynllaith was one of three schools due to close in late 2021, but offered a reprieve as the plans were deemed unfeasible.

Richard Jones, director of education on the council, said the proposal had received 20 objections, adding that the 31 August closure was "preferable" for pupils moving to a new school "so they can move at the start of a new, fresh academic year".

Richard Church, also from the council, acknowledged concerns that students could move to schools in England, but questioned whether it "would be right" to make exceptions to keep schools open because they are close to England or another local authority in Wales.

"I don't believe it is sustainable to continue operating schools of this size - we can't make exceptions," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Sandra Davies, another council member, said she had previously campaigned against school closures in the area, but now had a different view.

"Having bigger schools does enhance children as individuals - they do thrive, and they are given more opportunities to grow," she said.

The council voted unanimously for the school to close.