A MEETING will take place to discuss plans to close Gwernyfed High School a week before Powys council holds its official consultation meeting.

The county council is holding a meeting at the school on Wednesday, April 20 but Gwernyfed Community Council is holding its own meeting on Wednesday, April 13.

It takes place at Felindre Village Hall at 7pm and is intended to allow people to hear more details about the council’s proposals and how they can help save the school.

Powys council intends closing both Gwernyfed and Brecon high schools. It would open a new 11-16 English medium school in their place which would operate from the existing two sites until a new school could be built in Brecon.

The community council is also encouraging people to attend the council’s official consultation meeting the following week. It starts at 6.30pm but Powys council has said admission will be by ticket only. Tickets are free and available from the county council.

Campaigners opposed to the proposals are also encouraging people to respond to the consultation that closes on May, 23.

Reverend Ian Charlesworth, chair of Gwernyfed’s governing body, said of the official consultation meeting.

"By law, Powys have to take your responses into account when they make their final decision on Gwernyfed’s future, so make your voice heard and come armed with some challenging questions for their panel.

"Tell them how important a matter this is. They are trying to rip the living heart out of our community, and compromise our resilience to cope with the future.

"Ask them who will look after the elderly when the young have moved away. Ask them who will buy our houses when there is no school.

"For health and safety reasons, all the school consultation meetings are ticketed but free events. Tickets are going fast for the Gwernyfed meeting - please book yours through the Powys County Council website, or by phoning 01597 826954."