Conwy primary schools will close in shake-up

Jun 30 2008 By Judith Phillips

Conwy County Council

A MAJOR shake-up of primary education in Conwy will lead to some schools closing.

But others will gain improved buildings and better resources, says the county’s director of education.

Falling birth rates mean that by 2013 local primary schools could have around 2,779 unfilled places leading to reduced Welsh Assembly funding.

Geraint James says this means changes are inevitable, but he believes the eventual outcome will be improved educational standards.

"With a falling pupil population 16 schools will have more than 50% vacant places and three schools will have more than 80% unfilled places," he said. "As a result we have to ask ourselves some very difficult and pertinent questions about the structure of our schools in the future."

He stressed no decisions have been made about schools to close or merge with others and there will be a public consultation process continuing well into 2009.

The consultation started in January with roadshows at 11 schools and with 20,000 questionnaires being distributed throughout the county.