PLANS to shut two Bangor schools are set to be rubber stamped.

If the findings of the report are approved by Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet, both Ysgol Glanadda and Ysgol Babanod Coedmawr would shut on August 31, 2020.

Parents would be given the choice of sending their children to Ysgol y Garnedd which would see its capacity upgraded to 420 thanks to a new building to be constructed adjacent to the existing school.

At present the school has 305 pupils on the books despite only being designed to accommodate 210.

In March, Gwynedd Council decided to formally consult on the future of both primary schools, a situation which was described by officers as “unsustainable.”

As part of the proposed £12.7m reorganisation of schools in the city, the council is also holding discussions with the Church in Wales over carrying out improvements and increasing the capacity of Ysgol y Faenol to 315 pupils from its current 186.

The report that will be discussed by Gwynedd’s Cabinet on Tuesday, July 3, says: “Pupil numbers in schools have changed significantly since 1980, with a 62% reduction in Ysgol Babanod Coedmawr and 68% at Ysgol Glanadda.

“During the same period, Y Garnedd numbers increased by 55%.

“Increasing the size of Ysgol y Garnedd to 420 would mean a structure that would include two classes for all ages i.e. access for 60 children in each year group, between Reception and Year 6 groups.

“It is anticipated that age range limits within existing classes in schools will disappear, which can help to overcome the challenges and effective teaching and learning problems that can occur when there is a wide age range in one class.”

The authority has shown a determination to expand Ysgol y Garnedd after the latest Estyn inspection found: “Although rooms in the building are very confined for pupil numbers, the school makes good use of the site through careful organisation and the pupils’ good discipline”.

Neither of the schools earmarked for closure currently have a permanent headteacher, with the cabinet report outlining that pupil numbers at both schools are the lowest in 25 years.

Glanadda is also described as a “Victorian stone building,” with Coedmawr said to be requiring re-wiring, refurbishment to the flat roofs, new windows and work to the kitchen.

Education Cabinet Member, Cllr Gareth Thomas, said the move would boost Welsh language education in the city while providing 21st Century facilities.

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council Cabinet Member for Education said: “I am grateful to everyone who has taken time to contribute to this statutory consultation. Before deciding on the final recommendation to be presented to Cabinet, the concerns and questions raised during the consultation were carefully addressed.

“Having taken into account all the comments that have been presented, we feel that the option that will be presented to Cabinet provides us with an exciting opportunity to develop a new first class primary building for this area of Bangor.

“The significant investment will mean that the pupils are taught in a modern building in keeping with today’s curriculum.

“Whilst accepting that any plan that considers closing sites is a difficult decision, I feel that the proposed option provides the best opportunity to improve primary education provision and offers an opportunity to strengthen the Welsh language provision in the city.”

The next key stage will be to publish the statutory notices on the school closures and to hold an objection period.

Following the objection period, the matter will be presented to the council’s cabinet for final confirmation