A COUNCIL has been urged to “open doors not close them” amid concerns over the potential closures of two primary schools “close to people’s hearts”.
Cyngor Gwynedd’s cabinet gave permission for two statutory consultation periods to be carried out on the future of Ysgol Nebo and Ysgol Baladeulyn.
A “significant and consistent reduction” in numbers had been seen at Ysgol Nebo and a “substantial and sustained drop” at Ysgol Baladeulyn.
The “vulnerable position” of the two schools came before the council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, October 14.
It granted permission to hold statutory consultations over a proposal to close Ysgol Nebo, on December 31, 2026, providing pupils places at Ysgol Llanllyfni, from January 1, 2027.
The same was agreed for Ysgol Baladeulyn, to close on December 31, 2026, but with places being provided at Ysgol Talysarn, from January 1, 2027.
The consultations are likely during the Autumn term, and aim to hear people’s views.
Since September, 2015, at Ysgol Nebo, there has been a 52% reduction in reception to year six learners and a 54% drop in nursery to year six learners.
With only 11 reception to year six learners on the register, and a capacity of 51, there were 40 surplus places. It also had capacity for seven learners in the nursery, but had only one on its register.
Alternative options to closure mooted have included doing nothing, federating with a neighbouring school, federating whilst adding a specialist unit for children with additional learning needs at Ysgol Nebo, Ysgol Nebo developing into a specialist location for some subjects, offering a specialist unit supporting children with additional learning needs, offering a language unit for the Dyffryn Nantlle catchment area or establishing a multi-school site.
At Ysgol Baladeulyn there were 23 reception to year six pupils and six nursery age children.
Options there included no change, federation with nearby Ysgol Talysarn, to close Ysgol Baladeulyn and offer learners a place at nearby Ysgol Talysarn, to change the status of Ysgol Baladeulyn to be a Christian school, merging local schools to support and maintain Ysgol Baladeulyn, add a specialist area for children with additional learning needs at Ysgol Baladeulyn, federation with another school and to add a specialist area for children with additional learning needs in Ysgol Baladeulyn to include a language unit.
Llanllyfni ward Cllr Peter Thomas met the proposals with “great disappointment”.
He said: “This would be very sad for the children, parents and the teachers who have done excellent work at this small school for many years.
“Proposing to close two more small schools in Dyffryn Nantlle will be a shock for this close knit community, coming after the council closed 25 primary schools in Gwynedd.
“Ysgol Baladeulyn is in the [Eryri] national park with excellent views of Llyn Baladeulyn and Crib Nantlle, there’s nowhere better for children to have their education than in a beautiful, clean environment.
“Losing the school would mean losing a village community resource, for staff; redundancies, there would be changes for children and parents challenging for their health and welfare.
“I’m also concerned for the impact on the community, families with children may not be keen to come and rent in the village because the school has closed and the impact on the Welsh language.
“He called for consideration of the option of “federalisation” with Ysgol Talysarn, adding a specialist unit in Ysgol Baladeulyn for children with additional learning needs (ALN).
Last week Cllr Thomas expressed fears that the move could lead to “immigrants buying houses and making the village a foreign place”.
Cllr Dafydd Davies, the Clynnog ward member, said: “Only after all other practical options had been explored should the school (Ysgol Nebo) be considered for closure,” he said.
He “encouraged the Cabinet to look at an “innovative pilot model” offering the site to support children with social and emotional needs, adding: “Let us not be a council that closes doors but one that opens new ones.”
Cabinet member for education Cllr Dewi Jones said: “We also have a duty to look carefully at the situation we are facing, we have fewer children across the county, costs are increasing and we have responsibility to ensure the education throughout Gwynedd continues to be sustainable, fair and resilient for many years”.
He said no decision had been made yet, and pledged “every voice from parents, pupils and local residents will be heard and respected”.
