Agenda item

a.    To approve finally the proposal under Section 43 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, given through a statutory notice, to close Ysgol Felinwnda on 31 December 2023, and to transfer the current pupils to an alternative school nearby, either Ysgol Bontnewydd or Ysgol Llandwrog, according to parents' choice, from 1 January 2024.

b.    To approve transport arrangements for the transition phase only, where free transport would be provided for those learners who are currently registered in Ysgol Felinwnda and living in the catchment area of Ysgol Felinwnda, to Ysgol Bontnewydd or Ysgol Llandwrog, for the remainder of the learner's time in either of those schools, in accordance with Cyngor Gwynedd's transport policy.

c.     To consult on the future of Ysgol Felinwnda's current catchment area to agree which school, or schools, will serve as a future catchment school for the children of Ysgol Felinwnda's current catchment area.

The report was submitted by Cllr Beca Brown

DECISION

a.    To approve finally the proposal under Section 43 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013, given through a statutory notice, to close Ysgol Felinwnda on 31 December 2023, and to transfer the current pupils to an alternative school nearby, namely Ysgol Bontnewydd or Ysgol Llandwrog, according to parents' choice, from 1 January 2024.

b.    To approve transport arrangements for the transition phase only, where free transport would be provided for those learners who are currently registered in Ysgol Felinwnda and living in the catchment area of Ysgol Felinwnda, to Ysgol Bontnewydd or Ysgol Llandwrog, for the remainder of the learner's time in either of those schools, in accordance with Cyngor Gwynedd's transport policy.

c.     To consult on the future of Ysgol Felinwnda's current catchment area to agree which school, or schools, will serve as a future catchment school for the children of Ysgol Felinwnda's current catchment area.

DISCUSSION

Members were reminded that Ysgol Felinwnda was the smallest school within the county following a PLASC (Pupil Level Annual School Census) in January 2023, with only 8 pupils attending the school. It was detailed that an item had been submitted to the Cabinet on 11 July 2023 to receive permission to issue a statutory notice of the proposal to undertake a consultation to close the school.

It was reported that an objection period had been undertaken between 5 September and 4 October and that four objections to closing the school had been received. The members were assured that these objections had been considered.

It was noted that consultations had been undertaken with pupils and staff of the school. It was summarised that some of their considerations included feeling saddened, scared to lose friends, worried about the future of the building and the support available for them in new schools. Despite this, it was also noted that they were proud of the experiences the school had provided to them and there was a sense of a close family within the school, and pupils were looking forward to making new friends.

Consideration was given to the community impact of closing the school. It was not considered that there would be a negative impact on the community should the school close as there was no community use of the building beyond educational use. It was explained that this was the situation because the community hall was located next door to the school and was used regularly. It was recognised that the local cylch meithrin used this community centre and there was a possibility that closing the school would affect the cylch. Despite this, it was reported that the figures of children attending the cylch were very healthy and this did not follow onto the school, therefore, it was considered that there would not be much impact on the cylch meithrin.

It was explained that specific consideration had been given to the community centre, ensuring that the Community Support Service would work with the centre in future, as well as the Council's Early Years Unit providing support to the cylch meithrin.

Reference was made to the possibility that pupil numbers in the school had decreased as a result of constructing the new bypass in the area recently. Despite this, it was reported that investigations to the possibility had been carried out and it appeared that the number of school pupils had begun to decrease before the bypass had come into existence.

It was recognised that it was unfavourable timing to announce that Ysgol Bontnewydd would get a new building. It was explained that this was beyond the Council's control as it had succeeded in a competition to fund a new school in this case, and the results had been shared by the organisers.

It was concluded that the most appropriate option, despite the four objections, would be to close Ysgol Felinwnda on 31 December 2023, with pupils moving to Ysgol Bontnewydd or Ysgol Llandwrog on 1 January 2024 onwards, according to parents' choice. The members were assured that reaching this conclusion had been a very sad and difficult decision. It was confirmed that the Council would provide transport to those relevant schools for the pupils. It was explained that this would cost approximately £7,600 - £22,800 for the Council, depending on the parents' choices.

It was explained that this decision would lead to staff redundancies. However, it was ensured that arrangements were being agreed with unions, and the department’s officers were working closely with the Council's Human Resources department.

The Local Member added that closing the school would be a very sad occurrence as it had served the community for a century and a quarter. Despite this, he accepted that this was the appropriate step to take because of the school numbers and forecasts. The Local Member detailed the following points:

·       It was important that all perspectives raised within the consultation and objection periods were respected. Officers were thanked for their care in ensuring that this was the case.

·       It was important to undertake a review of the future of the Felinwnda catchment area.

·       It was important to ensure that focus was placed on small schools to protect rural and Welsh communities as the Council proceeded to consult on a new Education Strategy in future.

·       It was important to ensure that strategic support was available for schools where pupil numbers were predicted to decrease in future so that schools could collaborate with the Council to increase numbers.

It was reported that several reasons had affected the decision to close the school and that the quality of the education was very important in this. It had been proven that receiving education in a larger school with more pupils of the same age and different ages supported pupils’ educational experience. It was also recognised that it was a requirement to examine school numbers and cost per head when considering a school closure.

Gratitude was expressed to everyone who had contacted the officers during the statutory consultation period. The Local Member, staff and pupils were also thanked – they had worked closely with the Education department during the recent uncertain period and officers were thanked for their work.