IN an effort to highlight the number of small schools which have been closed in Powys in recent years, The Dolau School action group, with the help of children from Llanfihangel Rhydithon Primary School have created scarecrows as visual props to spread the plight of the school, far and wide.

The school is the latest to be earmarked for closure by PCC, with the consultation into its future due to end on June 1 and the scarecrow is currently travelling around Powys looking at the sad, derelict sights of past primary schools that have been closed by Powys County council.

“The Welsh Government stated it was committed ‘raising education standards in rural areas’, in the Rural Education action plan 2017,” said a spokesman for the school.

“As parents and community citizens, we are in agreement with the Welsh Government that every learner in Wales, wherever they live, has the right to benefit from high-quality education and the opportunity to reach their full potential.

“The School Organisation Code November 2018 strengthened small schools in Powys in respect of a presumption against the closure of rural schools. The code states that closing a rural school should only happen after a council has done “everything they can” to keep it open.

“Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School is listed as a rural school within this document. The education provision in our community of Dolau is outstanding. Kirsty Williams, former Secretary of State for Education said that Llanfihangel is “an example of a good rural school. but despite the code, Powys County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Property still proposes to close Llanfihangel primary school,” she said.

“Powys wants to experience a stable and thriving economy and to be prosperous with a well-educated and skilled local workforce, where opportunities exist for all and everyone can reach their full potential.

“We need to strengthen our economy, our high streets, and showcase fantastic local products and skills, and support local pubs, shops and cafés.

“Local businesses are the backbone of our communities and economy. Small primary schools are often the heart of many communities, and if these close then why would businesses stay? Why would young families want to stay in the rural areas? How will the economy thrive in rural communities without the heart?

“Many small rural schools in Powys have been forced to close by cabinet including Bleddfa, Llangunllo, Llandegly, Llandewi and Howey, and many now been left derelict and in ruin including Beguildy, Nantmel and Rhosgoch and we don’t want our school to go the same way.”

The action group is urging residents to take part in the cosultation by

• Filling in the consultation response form–online

• E-mail the Transforming Education Team–[email protected]

• Writing to the Transforming Education Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, Powys, LD1 5LG