Four small Welsh medium schools in Ceredigion are facing closure as the local council grapples with financial challenges and declining pupil numbers. The affected schools – Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa in Borth, Ysgol Llangwyryfon, and Ysgol Syr John Rhys in Ponterwyd – collectively have just 90 pupils. Ceredigion Council is considering shutting down these schools due to deficits exceeding £50,000 and higher-than-average costs per pupil.
The Welsh language campaigners have criticized the council’s plans, stating that they contradict the Welsh Government’s code, which favours keeping small Welsh medium schools operational. Cymdeithas Yr Iaith has threatened to file a complaint with Education Minister Lynne Neagle if the council proceeds with consultations to close the schools.
Reports outlining the challenges faced by each of the four schools will be presented to the Ceredigion Council cabinet on September 3. The reports highlight declining pupil numbers since 2020, with some schools operating at less than half their capacity. For instance, Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn currently has just 19 pupils compared to 30 in 2020, with a projected enrollment remaining below 19 over the next five years.
Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa in Borth has seen a drop in pupil numbers from 42 to 29 since 2020 and is projected to further decrease to 22 within five years. Ysgol Llangwyryfon and Ysgol Syr John Rhys are facing similar challenges, with declining pupil numbers and increasing deficits. The schools face surplus places, with Ysgol Llangwyryfon having 25 surplus places and Ysgol Syr John Rhys facing backlog maintenance costs.
Cymdeithas yr Iaith has vowed to fight to save these schools, stating that the council’s approach goes against the principles of maintaining rural schools and providing excellent educational provisions. The Welsh language campaigners have warned that the council’s actions could discredit government policies and harm Welsh-speaking communities. The future of these small Welsh medium schools hangs in the balance as consultations on their closure loom.
Ceredigion Council has yet to provide a comment on the matter. The fate of these schools will be decided following the cabinet’s review of the reports detailing the challenges facing each institution. The closure of these schools could have a significant impact on the local communities and Welsh language education in the region.