THE Minister for Education in Wales has visited the first church schools to have federated in the Diocese of St Asaph.

Kirsty Williams AM visited The Maelor Church Schools Federation on Thursday, January 30, which includes St Paul’s VA Primary School in Is-y-coed near Wrexham and Borderbrook Anglican Controlled School Talwrn Green, near Malpas.

In January 2016 the two schools formed a federation, a formal and legal arrangement allowing them to share governance arrangements and have a single governing body. It was the first in the Diocese of St Asaph and among the first of its kind within Church Schools in Wales.

Ms Williams met staff and pupils in both schools and took the opportunity to answer questions from the children.

The Headteacher of the Federation, Fay Green, invited Ms Williams to the new federation three years ago. Mrs Green is now seconded to another school and the acting headteacher of The Maelor Church Schools Federation, Emma Jones, showed the Education Minister around the schools.

Mrs Jones said: "We were delighted to welcome Kirsty Williams to our two schools today.

"She spent time talking to the children in both schools and they’ve had the opportunity to ask her questions too.

"Both schools in the federation are rural primary schools and we know Ms Williams is a strong advocate of the importance of schools as the heart of a rural community."

In Borderbrook, Kirsty Williams attended Wednesday Worship which is led by the pupils. Afterwards she was asked questions, including “who is the most famous person you have met?” She answered: "Barak Obama, the former US President," and the children were very impressed.

The Maelor Church Schools Federation is supported by the Diocese of St Asaph. Its director of Education and Lifelong Learning, Rosalind Williams, accompanied the Minister.

Mrs Williams said: "Federations have become an important opportunity for primary schools to remain open to serve their local community.

"The ability to share key roles, such as headteachers, governing bodies and policies significantly reduces the pressure on administration and budgets allowing all those who teach to focus on their passion for working with and emboldening the next generation. Today’s visit reinforced to us her commitment to the federated model and small rural schools."

The Diocese of St Asaph looks after 50 Church in Wales schools in north-east and mid-Wales.