School may remain with fewer pupils
A CARDIFF primary threatened with closure may be kept open with smaller numbers of pupils after parents protested.
Cardiff council looks set to review proposals to shut Glan-yr-Afon Primary in Llanrumney.
The recommendation will be looked at when the council’s cabinet meets on December 13 and comes after concerns raised during a public consultation held in September and October.
Issues raised by parents during the consultation included limited places for their children at nearby primaries, the impact the closure would have on pupils and the loss of education provision in the area.
Latest figures show 261 (19.4%) of the 1,342 primary school places available in Llanrumney are unfilled.
In Glan-yr-Afon that proportion is significantly higher, with 140 (47.9%) of its 292 places unfilled.
The council said in a statement: “Pupil numbers is a significant factor in determining the level of school funding, so while other options are being explored, a proposal to reduce the capacity of Glanyr-Afon to 210 places would be taken forward, a move intended to reduce running costs at the school, and to reduce the pressure on its finances.”
Councils are bound by law to consult on changes to school admissions arrangements. If it is agreed the reduction in places at Glan-yr-Afon would be introduced in September 2020 to give time for consultation.
Deputy Leader of Cardiff council, and Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry, said: “I said throughout the consultation that we would listen to the concerns of the Glanyr-Afon parents, and this recommendation to keep the school open while we look at other options is a clear indication of that commitment.
“The issue of there being too many primary school places in Llanrumney remains a significant cause for concern however, placing a huge financial strain on schools in the area.
“This is particularly the case in Glanyr-Afon, which has the highest proportion of unfilled places of any school in the area.
“The size of the school, combined with the low number of pupils, means that unless something is done, it will continue to face severe financial difficulties.
“Finding the right solution to address surplus primary school places in Llanrumney is therefore a priority, and further options will need to be explored and considered moving forward.”
If Cabinet agree the recommendations on December 13, a further report setting out details of how the provision of primary school places in Llanrumney can be addressed will be considered at a later date.