‘Devastated’ parents hit out as council votes to AXE village school despite rising numbers claim

Carmarthenshire County Council has today (Wednesday 4 March) issued a notice to shut Ysgol Llansteffan, marking the end of an era for the local community.

The controversial move, which will see the school close its doors on August 31, 2026, will force pupils to move to Ysgol Llangain from September 1.

Council bosses have defended the decision, claiming the school has too many empty desks and a mounting budget deficit.

Official figures suggest the school had just eight registered pupils at the start of 2025, with bosses claiming there is little chance of numbers picking up.

But the Ysgol Llansteffan Parent Teacher Association has slammed the move, previously telling chiefs that pupil numbers were actually starting to grow. This follows a statutory closure notice that was issued in late 2025.

Language campaigners from Cymdeithas yr Iaith have also waded into the row, previously vowing to fight what they describe as “flawed” closure plans, and have now submitted a formal complaint to the Welsh Language Commissioner.

Ffred Ffransis, representing the group, has said that parents are “devastated” by the lack of support for the school in the council chamber today.

“Not only does closing a school disrupt children’s education and remove one of the main Welsh language institutions from the community, but we saw a democratic deficit today,” Mr Ffransis has stated.

He also hit out at the fact that there was “not a single word” in favour of the school from councillors during the meeting.

The school is one of four across the county facing the axe as part of a massive shake-up of local education.

Cllr Glynog Davies, Cabinet Member for Education, has admitted the decision was “difficult for everyone involved” and has been agreed with “sadness.”

Welsh language campaigners prepare to fight ‘flawed’ Carmarthenshire school closures

The council’s Cabinet has agreed to publish a statutory notice to close Ysgol Llansteffan, while also launching consultations on the future of Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Y Fro, Llangyndeyrn.

Campaigners argue the decision is flawed, with Cymdeithas criticising councillors for pressing ahead despite admitting that the initial statutory stage of discussions with the schools — known as stage 0 — “did not happen properly.”

Ffred Ffransis, speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire, said preparation work to mobilise responses and objections would begin immediately alongside the schools themselves:

“The cabinet should not have voted for a consultation after admitting that the initial statutory stage of discussion with the schools, known as stage 0, did not happen properly. The council officers’ reports say clearly that a consultation or a statutory notification to close should not be authorised unless councillors were sure that it was the best option. The preparation work to ensure responses to the consultations and objections to the statutory notice to close, together with the three schools, will start straight away.”

Four schools under review as viability questioned

As Swansea Bay News previously reported, Carmarthenshire councillors considered proposals last month to close four rural primaries under the county’s Modernising Education Programme. Reports highlighted falling rolls, high surplus places and financial pressures.

• Ysgol Llansteffan has just eight pupils on roll, with costs per pupil more than three times the county average.
• Ysgol Y Fro has 15 pupils and was placed in Special Measures by Estyn earlier this year.
• Ysgol Meidrim, with 31 pupils, is also in Special Measures following an inspection in 2024.
• Ysgol Pontyates has 24 pupils and more than 70% surplus places, with projections showing numbers continuing to fall.

Pontyates campaign continues despite reprieve

Although Pontyates was excluded from the immediate closure process, villagers have vowed to continue their fight. At a packed public meeting earlier this month, governors and parents insisted the threat remains and uncertainty continues.

“Of course it is a relief to hear that the consultation process is unlikely to proceed in the case of Ysgol Pontyates, but the anxiety and uncertainty will continue. For the benefit of the children and staff we must continue to fight, demand fairness for our families and our community, and ensure a future for a school – which has just celebrated its hundred and fifty years – for generations to come.”

Campaigners accused the council of rushing plans “in a thoughtless and unnecessary manner” and warned closures would mean upheaval and long journeys to larger schools. One pupil told the meeting:

“Our school is small but it is very special. We all know each other… We learn everything in Welsh and we are very proud of that. It is part of who we are and it helps keep our village and our language alive.”

Parents and supporters plan to protest outside County Hall in Carmarthen when the Cabinet meets on 17 November to decide whether to continue with the consultation.

Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Glynog Davies said:

“We of course understand how difficult this is for the schools involved and wholeheartedly sympathise with the parents, staff, governors and local members.

“It is important to note that no decisions have been made with regards to Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol y Fro and a consultation process will provide an opportunity for those school communities to have their say as part of the decision-making process.”

Related articles

• Four Carmarthenshire schools face closure under modernisation plans
• Pontyates villagers vow to continue fight to save school

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#Palestine #CymdeithasYrIaith #YLlinellGoch #RedLine #Aberystwyth

https://cymdeithas.cymru/newyddion/gweithredu-dros-balesteina

#Kneecap #Palestine #CymdeithasYrIaith

https://nation.cymru/culture/kneecap-and-massive-attack-form-musician-alliance-to-support-palestine-supporting-artists/

Yes, that's right. There is nowhere for local people to buy, precisely because the various Retch newspaper titles have been relentlessly publishing 'the village in Wales where you can buy four houses for the price of one in England' articles for years.

Still, they can afford to change tack, given it brings in clicks, regardless.

#housing #wales #cymru #nidywcymruarwerth #cymdeithasyriaith

What better example of how unimportant Wales and Welsh is to the Tories than this letter from parachuted-in MP for Anglesey, Virginia Crosbie?

A letter in Welsh that switches to English, mid-flow!

Even the QR code caption is a mess.

#toriesout #cymdeithasyriaith #Wales #Cymru #Cymraeg