Following the press release issued by Powys County Council on 21 February 2024 regarding the report to be considered by the Powys Cabinet which will recommend closure of Llangedwyn Church in Wales Primary School – the Chair of Governors of the Dwy Afon Federation said;

It is with a heavy heart that the Ffederasiwn Dwy Afon Governing Body heard the news that Powys County Council Cabinet are to receive a report recommending that our beloved Llangedwyn Church in Wales School is to be closed.

The Governing Body is a group of dedicated and committed people who between them have given decades of service to both amazing schools in the Federation.

The leadership and staff of the school have faced enormous challenges over the years. These include changes in leadership, reducing budgets and COVID. They are truly amazing people and they have always put the interests of the children first.

A combination of multiple attempts by Powys County Council over many years to close the school and a new funding formula which punishes small schools has made the fate of Llangedwyn School almost inevitable.

The Governors have successfully fought off all the previous closure attempts, but with seven children left in the school and a predicted budget shortfall of over £180,000, the school is simply not sustainable.

It is almost impossible to deliver the National Curriculum and provide an excellent education with so few pupils. The rapidly worsening funding situation means that staffing levels are unsustainable.

This is why the Governing Body chose, very reluctantly, not to challenge the latest closure attempt.

The Governing Body are therefore saddened that some individuals and groups have chosen to spread disinformation in the community. They have been suggesting that the governors are responsible for the demise of the school.

This is not only untrue but is very hurtful to the dedicated volunteers who have supported the school for many years.

The governors decided to address these concerns in a professional and measured way and it is now clear that the theory being promoted is based on a complete lack of understanding of how schools are managed.

It is a pity that these groups and individuals did not engage with the governors before they chose to undermine the Governing Body and Headteacher in such a public way.

The Governing Body would like to say a big thank you to the vast majority of the community who have been supportive of the school during this incredibly difficult time.

As a Governing Body we are devastated to may be losing our wonderful school and we really want to spend all the time the school has left in celebrating its rich heritage, countless contributions to the community,  the Tanat Valley and beyond. We will be inviting the community and past pupils to celebrate with us in due course.