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For Immediate Release
Ambitious education plans to be considered
Ambitious plans to transform education in Powys, providing learners with the world-class facilities they deserve, will be considered by Cabinet next week, the county council has confirmed.
Following extensive engagement with key stakeholders including headteachers, school staff, governors, parents and learners last winter, Powys County Council is committed to bringing forward plans to deliver an improved learner offer for children and young people by delivering its Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, which was approved in April.
The four strategic aims of the strategy are – To improve learner entitlement and experience; To improve learner entitlement and experience for post-16 learners; To improve access to Welsh-medium provision across all key stages; and To improve provision for learners with special education needs / additional learning needs.
To deliver these aims will require significant investment in the education infrastructure in Powys.
On Tuesday, September 29, Cabinet will consider five reports which could see a potential investment of over £170m, resulting in brand new school facilities across the county as well as a proposal to consult on establishing a new all-age school.
However, several small schools could close as part of the transforming education work.
Cabinet will be considering the following plans:
Cabinet will be asked for approval to submit Strategic Outlines Cases for Ysgol Calon Cymru, the school investment plans in the Brecon and Llanfyllin catchment areas as well as a revised Strategic Outline Case for Ysgol Bro Hyddgen to the Welsh Government 21st Century Schools Programme for their consideration, who could fund 65% of the project with the council funding the remaining 35%.
All changes will be subject to the statutory school reorganisation process which involves extensive consultation with school and their communities, before any final decisions are made.
Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “Providing high-quality teaching and learning environments is one of the aims of our Vision 2025 and our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will help us meet these aims.
“These are exciting times and these plans ensure that we provide the best facilities for our learners, their families and the wider community.
“The last five months has been an extremely difficult period for the council as it responds to the Covid-19 pandemic but it is a testament to everyone involved in our transforming education programme that Cabinet will be considering some of these initial plans at the end of the month.”
Further information on the plans are below:
Ysgol Bro Hyddgen
A state-of-the-art learning and leisure community campus for Machynlleth’s Ysgol Bro Hyddgen could take a step forward if Cabinet give the go-ahead to submit revised plans to the Welsh Government.
The flagship all-age school campus, which will replace the existing school buildings, will include early years and education provision, along with brand new leisure and library facilities, replacing the existing Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre and the town’s library.
Ysgol Calon Cymru
New and remodelled facilities could be provided for Ysgol Calon Cymru.
The new facility for 925 for pupils aged 11-18 at the Llandrindod campus would replace the existing accommodation, which is in poor condition while a new remodelled 450-pupil facility for pupils aged 4-18 would be provided in Builth Wells.
As part of the plans for Ysgol Calon Cymru, the Llandrindod Wells campus would deliver English-medium provision and the Builth Wells campus would deliver Welsh-medium provision. Consultation with pupils, parents, staff, governors and the wider communities would need to take place before any changes are implemented.
Llanfyllin catchment area
Two new schools could be built in the Llanfyllin catchment area.
The council is looking to build a new community campus for Ysgol Llanfyllin, which recently opened as an all-age school following the merger of Llanfyllin High School and Llanfyllin Primary School. The school could include pupils from the Llangedwyn, Llanfechain and Llansilin areas which means that the primary schools in those areas could close.
A new 360-place area primary school could also be built to replace Carreghofa County Primary School and Llandysilio Church in Wales Primary School, and possibly other schools in the Welshpool catchment area. Investment could also see an extension to Llansanffraid Primary School.
It is also planned to open a new Welsh-medium primary school in Llanrhaeadr-y-Mochnant by merging Ysgol Pennant and Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant primary schools – the school would be situated on the current site of Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant but would need capital investment to accommodate all pupils.
Again, these will be formally consulted upon before any final decisions are made.
Brecon catchment area
Two new primary schools could be built in the Brecon catchment area as part of investment plans.
The council wants to build an English-medium primary school on the site of the old Brecon High School, replacing Mount Street Infant, Mount Street Junior and Cradoc schools. This development could also include leisure facilities, including a swimming pool. There are also plans to build a new pupil referral unit on the site.
It also wants to build a new dual-stream primary school in Sennybridge, replacing the current Sennybridge CP School building, which is in poor condition.
Consultation would need to take place before any final decisions are made.
New all-age school for Llanfair Caereinion
Llanfair Caereinion’s primary and high school could merge to create the county’s third all-age school.
Cabinet will be asked to give the go-ahead to start consultation on the amalgamation of Llanfair Caereinion County Primary School and Caereinion High School and opening a new all-age school. The new school would provide dual-stream education for pupils aged 4-18 on the current site of the two schools.
The target date is to close the two schools on the 31 August 2022 and to open the new school on the 1 September 2022.
ENDS
The Secondary School Admission Round for learners born between 01/09/2009 – 31/08/2010 opens on Monday 21 September 2020.
Parents/Carers need to complete an online application at https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/1158/Applying-for-a-School-Place
Applications need to be made by the deadline of Friday 13 November 2020.
Secondary Common Offer Date is Monday 1 March 2021
If are parent / carer is unable to apply online they can contact admissions@powys.gov.uk
If you have any questions regarding Admissions, please contact the team admissions@powys.gov.uk
For Immediate Release
Parents urged to work with schools to reduce coronavirus risk
Concerns have been raised that parents in Powys are gathering outside the school gates and are not following social distancing measures, the county council has said.
School leaders across the county have raised the concerns about the gatherings with Powys County Council, who are now urging parents to work with their child’s school to reduce the risk of coronavirus spreading.
Cllr Phyl Davies, Cabinet Member for Education and Property, said: “We have received a number of reports from headteachers that parents are gathering at school gates before school starts and when it finishes for the day.
“We know that many youngsters have started primary and secondary school for this first time and parents and children are excited but I would urge parents to be mindful of the coronavirus guidance and work with the council and the school to keep everyone safe.
“We have done a lot of work with school leaders to make sure that children are safe in their school and that the risk of the virus spreading is minimised. It would be a shame if this work was undone by parents and older relatives ignoring social distancing by gathering outside the school gates.”
Headteachers have also raised concerns that parents are contacting schools asking them to confirm whether a member of the school has tested positive for coronavirus.
“We understand that some parents are anxious and want to protect their child but contacting a school asking for information about any individual in the current climate is inappropriate,” said Cllr Davies.
“It would not be up to headteachers to inform parents about any potential coronavirus case within their school. This would be down to the Test, Trace, Protect programme which would trace the contacts of people who test positive to put a stop to the spread of coronavirus.”
Parents are also being reminded that if their child shows any symptoms then to keep them at home.
“We are urging parents to err or the side of caution and don’t send their child to school. It would be reckless of parents to send their child to school who is showing symptoms as this would jeopardise the safety of pupils and staff at the whole schools,” said Cllr Davies.
Parents are also being reminded to make sure that they have provided their child’s school with up-to-date emergency contact details.
“Coronavirus is still a very real threat to public health and all of us can help to Keep Powys Safe,” said Cllr Davies.
“Not only are we urging parents to observe social distancing but also ensure regular hand washing is being done by both parents and their child.”
ENDS
Dear all,
I hope you've all enjoyed this summer holiday.
We are really hoping the sun will return next week. If it doesn't, then all pupils will need to bring a coat with them to school.
Please can I ask that you all read this before we open for pupils next week - it is long but notes a lot of key information. Diolch.
We are looking forward to seeing you all again on Thursday 3rd September – thank you for your continued support.
Below is a Q and A sheet ahead of our reopening next week for all pupils and staff. We apologise for the hard line that we have had to take concerning some matters, but the safety of staff, pupils, families and our community remain our ongoing concern.
Guidance states that
This will have an impact on the way we normally operate, we will however try to make things as normal as we can for children, as well as following guidance to keep staff and learners safe.
Here’s a summary...
Yes, but the car park will not be available...we would prefer for pupils to walk to school. We do recognise that in some cases the distance from home to school is too great. If you do drive you will need to drop your child off in the Powys car park. Staff will be in the car park from 8.40am – no earlier. If you need to accompany your child due to their age we ask that you bring them to the car park and leave as soon as possible leaving them in the safe care of staff.
Yes - we politely ask that one adult brings your child to school; the same adult does not have to pick them up.
You can collect your child in the usual way from the external door to their classroom. Year 3 children have moved classrooms and are located next door to their old Y2 class. Staff will be around the first week to help guide any parent who is unsure. We ask and expect, as adults, that you socially distance from other parents and children when collecting your child.
If it becomes clear that social distancing is not being carried out at the end of the day then finish times for classes may have to change and become staggered, as we have a duty of care for our whole school community to keep them safe.
This will not be accepted during this time, your child can be refused entry to school if this will be detrimental to the safety of children and staff – your child must be dropped off & picked up on time. We have to limit the movement within school as children need to remain with their class only at all times.
No - the school office will remain closed to the public. If you need to contact the school urgently then please contact the school using the following email address:
office@cefnllys.powys.sch.uk or call the school on 01597 822297
Have you changed your contact details since you last saw us? If so, please ring or email these to us now.
Please arrive at the following times depending on which class your child is in...
START at 8.40: Year 4 Mrs Prince, Year 4/5 Miss Gough, Year 5 Mrs Smith, Year 6 Miss Powell
START at 8.50: Reception Mrs Blundell, Year 1 Mrs Shearman, Year 2 Mrs Drew/Ms Burden, Year 3 Mrs Francis/Mrs Samuel
No – we are avoiding bringing any extra items into the school building each day at present and this would include a cycle/scooter helmet; thus at this time, we kindly ask you to walk.
We are happy with older children walking to and from school alone so long as you have informed the class teacher.
Breakfast club and after school club will open on Monday 7th September for Breakfast club and Tuesday 8th September for after school club. This can be managed due to our low numbers and the classes the children attend. Children who attend these clubs will need to remain in their class groups ONLY and cannot mix with children in another class. This situation will have to be monitored to ensure guidance is followed.
Yes – the school kitchen will be open again on the 3rd September. For those children eligible for free school meals payments will continue to be made by Powys until 14th September. From this date free school meals will be available from school for those eligible.
Yes please – please contact the school office via phone or email to discuss uniform and any ordering queries you may have. .
We will change a child should such an accident occur or phone you for your support if needed – PPE will be worn by staff needing to carry out such a task.
Each pupil will need:
1 school bag in which they have their: reading book/s, lunch box, named drinks bottle (freshly filled each day), sun hat and named sun lotion (if needed).
1 suitable coat
Items that will not be accepted:
Toys of any form
Pencil cases
Everything else other than what is included in accepted items above
Please note that staff are unable to listen to readers on a 1:1 basis, but will continue to exchange reading books. Please ensure your child brings in the book once read with you at home. PLEASE make every effort to read more with your child.
No - we must stress that the children must stay home if they are feeling unwell.
YES – if they have had it for a headache and are feeling a lot better than when they woke up.
NO - if they had the Calpol due to a high temperature.
NO – if they had the Calpol due to having a sore throat; please keep them at home during these times.
No - it is really important that the children are presented cleanly on arrival at school. It is important that we set the bar high with regard to hygiene. If uniform is not available due to washing please dress your child in appropriate alternative clothing.
Yes – you will need to tell us what is wrong with your child. If your child is displaying one of the recognised COVID symptoms, then please follow the Welsh Government testing advice.
This can be found at…
https://gov.wales/test-trace-protect-your-questions
If you leave us a phone message, please ensure you tell us what symptoms your child is presenting with at home - we need to know more than ‘NAME is feeling unwell’.
We will comfort your child as far as we can with distancing guidance & offer lots of verbal encouragement - hopefully that will work.
The guidance from Welsh Government is that there is no expectation from staff to wear masks in the education setting. However, staff have the right to choose whether they wear a mask or not. Please understand that if a member of staff wants to wear one, that is their choice.
What if my child is showing COVID-19 symptoms in school?
Any child showing symptoms will be isolated with a member of staff who will be wearing full PPE. They will then go into the isolation room until they can be collected. We will phone you and ask that they are immediately collected. There will then be a deep clean of the rooms that the child has been in to make sure that they are safe to use again.
If you have children in classes across the school please bring them all at the later time of 8.50am
Where the child can administer the pump on their own, then they will continue to do so. If they need support, a member of staff will wear PPE and support them. It is important if your child needs an inhaler in school, that they have this with them. It is NOT the responsibility of the school to make sure of this. It is the responsibility of the parent to make sure that the child has an up-to-date inhaler with them if they require it.
Yes - please do not take any risks and make sure your child has their pump with them. We are unable to check inhalers already held on site, therefore you will need to ensure that new/in date inhalers are sent in with pupils.
We hope that all of these answers can satisfy the many questions you may have. If you still have a question that I haven’t answered, then please do get in touch head@cefnllys.powys.sch.uk.
Yours sincerely,
Ms K Jenkins
Head teacher