School shake-up meeting under way

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A series of public meetings to discuss a major shake-up of secondary and sixth form education in Powys start in Welshpool later.

They will be held at the county’s 13 high schools and three further education colleges over four weeks.

They were due to start last month, but when head teachers collectively raised concerns about the expected high turnout they were re-arranged.

Under plans by Powys Council, schools could merge and sixth forms could shut.

MEETING DATES7 March – Theatr Clera, Welshpool High School10 1900 GMT, Llanidloes Community Centre14 – Crickhowell High School16 – Builth Wells High School23 – John Beddoes High School, Presteigne24 – Newtown High School28 – Coleg Powys, Llandrindod Wells30 – Llandrindod Wells High School31 – Maesydderwen High School, Ystradgynlais4 April – Coleg Powys, Newtown6 – Coleg Powys, Brecon7 – Ysgol Bro Ddyfi, MachynllethMeetings are at 1830 GMT unless stated otherwiseSource: Powys council

The local authority approved plans to radically transform secondary education last December, and it could mean that seven or eight schools could operate across 13 sites.

But the proposals are strongly opposed by union leaders who fear heavy job losses.

The proposals for post-16 schooling include stripping schools of their sixth forms and opening sixth form centres or working in partnership with the county’s further education college, Coleg Powys.

The council has said its options are a response to falling pupil numbers and the condition of buildings.

Councillor David Jones, who is responsible for schools, said: “The authority, schools and the college are facing serious challenges.”

But Newtown councillor Russell George, one of three board members to vote against the plans, has said he does not believe there is an economic case to justify the change.

“It is imperative we do nothing that harms the present provision,” he said.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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