Major changes to how Schools in Builth Wells operate are to be discussed by Powys County Council

(The following info is from the Powys County Times)

Plans, which could see a new Welsh-medium all-age school established in Builth Wells, will be considered by Powys County Council’s cabinet on Tuesday, March 25.

If approved, proposals for Ysgol Calon Cymru would be delivered in two phases over the coming years.

This would see a new Welsh-medium all-age school taking over the entire Builth campus, while Ysgol Calon Cymru would eventually close its Builth campus and operate solely from the Llandrindod Well’s campus.

Phase one (September 2027)

• A new Welsh-medium all-age school (4-18) would be established on the current Builth campus of Ysgol Calon Cymru. This would mean that:

• All Welsh-medium pupils from Builth Wells Primary School would transfer to the new Welsh-medium all-age school in September 2027 and the school would no longer have a Welsh stream.

• Welsh-medium provision for Years 7, 8 and 9 would also be available at the new school with pupils transferring from Ysgol Calon Cymru.

• Initially, this new school would share the Builth campus with Ysgol Calon Cymru, with part of the building being remodelled to include accommodation suitable and safe for primary aged pupils. Pupils would continue to be able to join Ysgol Calon Cymru for English-medium provision on both the Builth and Llandrindod campuses.

• This would be a temporary arrangement until works to improve and extend Ysgol Calon Cymru’s campus in Llandrindod are completed.

Ysgol Calon Cymru

• From September 2027 Ysgol Calon Cymru would continue to have a Welsh-medium stream for Years 10 onwards, but this will be phased out by September 2029.

• Secondary-aged pupils wishing to have English-medium provision would continue to be able to access the Builth campus of Ysgol Calon Cymru, until new facilities are available on the Llandrindod campus.

Phase 2 (September 2029 at the earliest):

• Following capital investment at the Llandrindod campus to improve and enhance the facilities, Ysgol Calon Cymru would then close its Builth campus and operate solely from Llandrindod. Free home-to-school transport would be provided for all eligible learners.

• The new Welsh-medium all-age school would then take over the entire Builth campus.

On Tuesday, March 25, cabinet will consider the proposals and will be asked to start the statutory process; while proposals will be considered by the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Thursday, March 20.