THE death knell has fallen on two Anglesey primary schools after the statutory notice to shut both primaries was rubber-stamped by councillors.

Last July, members of Anglesey Council’s executive voted to shut Ysgol Gynradd Beaumaris – meaning that Ysgol Gynradd Llangoed was spared the axe.

In the same week, they also voted to close Ysgol Talwrn, with pupils set to be moved 1.8 miles to an extended Ysgol y Graig in Llangefni.

But the formal process to stop maintaining both schools was formalised last week, after an extraordinary meeting voted in favour of the move.

According to Anglesey Council, the island’s average cost per pupil of £3,972 is the third highest in Wales and must be reduced.

But criticism was made of the consultation process, which was described by one councillor opposed to the closure of Ysgol Beaumaris as “one sided” and that reading the report had left him “cross and disillusioned”. Cllr Alun Roberts, a former teacher, said: “I felt it was on very unstable educational grounds and this recommendation has no vision in my view.

“It’s not based on robust educational foundations and doesn’t allow the provision for an education that will satisfy requirements of all the children of the Seiriol ward.”

He also raised concerns that parents would not send children to Ysgol Llangoed as it would mean many having to go “out of their way” during their morning commute, adding that most would be sending their children to other schools.

According to the council report, Ysgol Beaumaris has 40 pupils on the books.

Both Cllrs Lewis Davies and Carwyn Jones spoke out in favour of keeping the school open as the decision to close it leaves the town without a school for the first time since the 17th century.

But according to officers, the maintenance costs of bringing the 66-year-old building up to scratch would be £971,000.

Ysgol Beaumaris Chair of Governors Emma Taylor said: "The decision to close Ysgol Gynradd Beaumaris is hugely disappointing given our hard work on developing viable alternative options.

"We’ll continue to provide the best education we can and will be supporting the pupils, teaching team and families affected by the decision through this difficult phase."

Ysgol Llangoed and Ysgol Llandegfan will be refurbished in a move costing around £1.3m, with about 50 per cent of funding provided by the Welsh Government.

Meanwhile, the closure of the 43 pupil Ysgol Talwrn will lead to a new £4.8m block being built at Ysgol y Graig.

Anglesey MP Albert Owen says he has been “critical” of the approach since the start.

“I have always believed that each of our five major Towns on Anglesey should have a school as they are feeder hubs within our communities,” he said.

“I believe school mergers can work having seen evidence of it doing so and I am disappointed by the news that Ysgol Beaumaris will eventually close as it could have provided a major school for the Seiriol Ward. I feel it’s a political decision made by the council executive.”