CONWY’S cabinet member for education has welcomed cost-cutting plans to merge two Old Colwyn primary schools as part of a shake-up proposed by Conwy County Council – with redundancies possible.
Ysgol T Gwynn Jones (Infants) and Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn (Juniors) could become a single “all-through” primary school, operating across the same two sites but under one headteacher and governing body.
The plan is part of the council’s long-term strategy to modernise schools, reduce duplication, and improve learning from ages three to 11.
The proposal would see both schools formally close and a new institution opened in their place; however, pupils would remain on their current campuses.
A public consultation is now open and runs until 15 July 2025. Parents, carers, staff, governors, and residents are being encouraged to take part before a final decision is made by Conwy’s cabinet later this year.
The move follows a similar cost-cutting merger at Mochdre’s primary schools.
Cabinet member for education Cllr Julie Fallon said: “I’m happy that we are moving forward with this proposal to consult.
“Effective school planning is key to ensuring that education provision in Conwy is resilient and able to provide the best learning environment and outcomes for our pupils, and bringing together junior and infant schools is a proven and important part of this strategy.”
Cllr Paul Luckock has long campaigned for more schools to be “rationalised” or amalgamated.
“Basically, we are in a bit of a perfect storm,” he said.
“I’m personally very supportive of the rationalisation of schools because, in the long term, most importantly it will improve teaching and learning opportunities for children and also be much more cost effective.”
The merger report states: “The proposed new school would remain located on two separate sites, under the leadership of one Headteacher and Board of Governors but with a unified management structure, mission statement, school values, logos, uniform, policies, and procedures.”
Whilst a new build school building was ruled out as “unaffordable”, keeping the schools separate was also considered but rejected for offering no clear educational or financial benefit.
The merger is expected to reduce the combined school budget by around £77,000 (£77,299).
But staff restructuring could result in redeployment or redundancies, although no concrete details are contained within the report.
Anyone who wants to express their views on the consultation can write to Dr Lowri Brown, Head of Education, Education Services, Coed Pella, Colwyn Bay, LL29 7AZ, or email their views to [email protected]
