Radnorshire primary school closure approved

A VILLAGE primary school is to close at the end of this year.

Powys council’s cabinet approved the closure of Nantmel Church in Wales School when it met at County Hall, Llandrindod Wells today.

The 30 pupil primary will close for the final time at the end of the December term with official closure date listed as December 31.

A report for the cabinet said closing the school will save the authority £54,000 a year.

A consultation, that ran from December and was extended to April, received 127 written responses.Cabinet member for schools, Councillor Arwel Jones said the number of pupils at the school had fallen to 30 resulting in more than 15% surplus places and the cost of funding it increasing to more than 120% of the county average for funding schools.He said closing the school would generate savings of up to £54,000 and was needed to help provide a sustainable model of primary education.