THREE Anglesey primary schools could close because of financial pressures on the Island’s council and falling pupil numbers.
Anglesey Council’s executive committee yesterday confirmed plans to formally consult on the closure Ysgol Aberffraw, Ysgol Ty Mawr and Ysgol Llandrygarn by August 2011.
Council leader Clive McGregor said that the decision had to be made as falling pupil numbers were putting pressure on the council’s budget.
“Today is undoubtedly a sad day for the Island and those communities affected, but we must act in the best interests of the whole Island,” he said.
“We face dwindling pupil numbers and high surplus places in many of our schools and the status quo simply isn’t sustainable.”
Ysgol Llandrygarn has 19 pupils, and headteacher Jane Richards said that, although consultations were understandable, a delay in the decision has not helped her school.
“The threat of closure has been here since January, and parents have moved their children to other schools as they don’t know if the school will be open in two years, so the number of pupils has dropped suddenly” she said.
Officers have been asked to develop a scheme and secure funding for a new area school to replace Ysgol Llanddeusant, Ysgol Llanfaethlu, Ysgol Llanrhuddlad and Ysgol Llanfachraeth.
Ysgol Bryngwran and Ysgol Bodorgan were not included in the plans, although the committee agreed that they might have to reconsider how primary school services are provided at a later date
The executive also resolved to consult further on the possibility of replacing two schools in Holyhead with a smaller building, but plans to consult on the closure of
Ysgol Llanddona have been cancelled due to pupil numbers and what the committee called “cultural considerations”.
Members also agreed to talks regarding merging Ysgol Talwrn and Ysgol Y Graig, Llangefni to form a multi site school by August 2011.
Education and Leisure portfolio holder Cllr Goronwy O. Parry MBE said that surplus places cost the council up to £600,000 a year and added:
He added: “We have a duty to create education provision which is fit for the 21st century, and the Assembly funding we need to achieve this won’t be forthcoming unless we grasp the nettle and deal with the issue of surplus places.”