Ysgol Carno: School might be spared under new plans

Children have been taught in a temporary building in Carno since 1992

A Welsh-medium primary school that has been under threat of closure could now be spared under new plans.

Powys council had wanted to shut Ysgol Carno, near Newtown, and move its 44 pupils to nearby Llanbrynmair.

But following a consultation period it is now proposing that Carno joins Ysgol Llanbrynmair and Ysgol Glantwymyn to form a "Welsh-medium area federation".

Ysgol Carno SOS action group, which has been fighting to keep the school open, said it was thrilled.

Powys council's cabinet launched informal consultation in January over the possible closure of Carno and nearby Llandinam primary school, along with plans to federate Ysgol Llanbrynmair with Ysgol Glantwymyn.

A decision about the future of Llandinam has now been deferred until autumn.

Carno parent and action group member Rhiannon Snape said: "This is exactly what we wanted.

"We obviously have to wait for the cabinet to vote, but the council has obviously listened to the feedback from the community and that feedback has been very strong.

"More than 300 letters of support have been filed with the council to keep the school open."

Mrs Snape praised "conscientious" members of the community who had "done an awful lot of work" to keep the school open.

Radical plans

"We felt that if the school closed the Welsh language would die in the village," she added.

Ysgol Carno SOS unveiled radical plans last month to build its own school by extending the community centre.

Since 1992, children in the village have had lessons in a temporary classroom after the original school was sold and the proceeds placed in a trust fund. Villagers wanted to use that money to help build the new school.

Powys council's cabinet will consider the recommendation to keep Carno open on 14 May.

It will also look at plans to unite Ysgol Bro Ddyfi secondary school in Machynlleth with the town's primary school to create the county's first super school for 3-19 year olds, and it will consider the federation of Llanidloes high and primary schools.

The plans for the major shake-up in Machynlleth and Llanidloes were unveiled in January.