3RD SCHOOL AT RISK IN U-TURN
‘Shock and dismay’ as extra funds for new build bring plan to centralise at £10m ‘super school’
GOVERNORS at an underthreat school have expressed their dismay at a council’s “U-turn” that could now see three primaries close their doors.
Last year saw Anglesey Council launch a consultation over plans to shut both Ysgol Corn Hir in Llangefni and nearby Ysgol Bodffordd in favour of a new school capable of holding 330 pupils at a cost of £6.7m.
In December, however, the plans were put on hold after the Welsh Government announced an extra £2.3bn for its 21st Century Schools programme, which provides roughly half the cost of any new builds.
With the authority now holding another public consultation, residents in Llangristiolus have expressed their ‘dismay’ at the amended proposals which would now also see Ysgol Henblas close.
The now-larger £10m “super school” would have a capacity of 450, and could be situated in Llangefni or Rhostrehwfa.
Rhys Parry, Chair of Ysgol Henblas’ board of governors, said: “This latest consultation has come as quite a shock, as last year’s consultation stated that Ysgol Henblas would stay open and would, indeed, be refurbished. But three weeks ago, as a bolt out of the blue, this new consultation was published with only one option, to close Ysgol Henblas, Corn Hir and Bodffordd. This is a complete U-turn.
“Feelings are very strong locally and a vigorous campaign has started as we want to ensure that approporiate choice is available. There’s obviously room for larger schools but also a fundamental place for smaller or medium-sized schools.
“Without that choice, it’s a like it or lump it scenario, leaving only two schools covering a large swathe of central Anglesey.”
According to Anglesey Council, however, with both of Llangefni’s primary schools, Ysgol Corn Hir and Ysgol y Graig, being full to capacity, funding already secured by the authority would not have been enough to meet the needs of the area.
A spokesman added that confirmation that an extra £18m is now available to modernise school infrastructure on the island gave education officers an opportunity to assess other options.
Council Leader, Cllr Llinos Medi, said, “We must ensure that new schools built as part of our modernisation journey are fit for purpose, in the right place and meet the needs of pupils and staff.
“The County Council hopes to match the funding provided by Welsh Government. This will mean a further investment of £36m in new education infrastructure on Anglesey during the next phase of its school modernisation programme, between 2019 and 2024.”
The consultation report also notes Ysgol Henblas is being monitored by Estyn following a 2017 inspection, with arrangements having been made to ensure appropriate leadership.
But, according to Mr Parry, Ysgol Henblas’ 29-year-old building is already fit for purpose, with 84 pupils meaning it should have a “vibrant future for many years to come.”
The findings of the public consultation, which ends on April 3, are expected to be discussed by Anglesey Council’s Executive on April 30.