A primary school in Gwynedd, Ysgol y Garreg, with only two pupils currently enrolled, is facing closure, a decision a local parent has labelled as neglecting the village's children. Both pupils are due to transfer to secondary education in September, but concerns have been raised about the impact on younger families in Llanfrothen.
Sharon Morgan, whose son Samuel is one of the two pupils, stated that the closure means other families with young children in the village will be deprived of the quality education her son received. She emphasised the benefits of a small, village school environment, suggesting her son gained more from it than he would have in a larger, more distant setting. Ms Morgan, a former teacher in Gwynedd, also claimed that attempts by the children to protest the closure were not acknowledged by the council, despite receiving a reply from David Attenborough to a separate school project letter.
Cyngor Gwynedd, the local authority, defended its decision, describing it as 'painful, but unavoidable.' They highlighted the substantial cost per pupil at Ysgol y Garreg, which stood at £21,471, significantly exceeding the county average of £5,998. The council attributed the closure to 'very low numbers of pupils who attend' and 'low projections of future numbers,' a trend seen across the region.
Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for education, acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, stating it was one of the most challenging he had faced. He explained that primary school pupil numbers across Cyngor Gwynedd have fallen significantly, from around 9,000 in 2016 to just over 7,800 currently. Mr Jones emphasised the council's responsibility to address these demographic challenges and the financial implications of maintaining schools with very low enrolment.
From 1 September, Ysgol Cefn Coch, located approximately 3.2 kilometres from Llanfrothen, will serve as the designated alternative school for the catchment area. The closure of Ysgol y Garreg is part of a broader trend, with other schools in Gwynedd, including two small schools in Dyffryn Nantlle and an independent school in Bangor, also scheduled to shut this year. Data from the Welsh government indicates that 31 council-run schools across Wales have closed since January 2020.
Ms Morgan lamented the closure's potential damage to the village's community spirit, noting that while residents had successfully fought to keep their pub and shop open, the school could not be saved. She expressed worry for families with two and three-year-olds who will now miss out on a local educational experience.
Source: Cyngor Gwynedd