Closure of Ysgol Y Garreg Announced
A primary school with just two pupils is set to close at the end of the summer term. Ysgol Y Garreg, located in Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, currently has no pupils enrolled in nursery, reception, or years one through five. Its only remaining students are two Year six pupils who are scheduled to begin secondary school in September.
The cabinet of Cyngor Gwynedd voted unanimously to close the school on 31 August, citing the "seriousness of the situation" as a key factor. The council stated that declining pupil numbers across the local authority made the closure unavoidable, despite the school's long-standing presence in the community.
Council's Position and Statements
Dewi Jones, the cabinet member for education, described the proposal as one of the most difficult decisions he has encountered.
"Nobody goes into education in order to close schools," he said.
"Our ambition is to see schools thriving, children succeeding and communities staying strong."
Jones paid tribute to the staff, governors, parents, and community, acknowledging that Ysgol Y Garreg had faithfully served the area for over a century. However, he emphasized the council's responsibility to address the current challenges facing the school.
"The demographic challenges facing some of our rural communities are real," he said.
"However painful it is to acknowledge that, we cannot ignore the facts before us, and in the specific position of Ysgol Y Garreg, it is impossible to ignore the seriousness of the situation."
He further explained that educational decisions must prioritize children's welfare, ensuring access to sustainable education and a learning environment capable of meeting pupils' needs.
"This is not a decision the cabinet wants to make, but it's a decision that certain circumstances have led us to."
Jones noted that Gwynedd has experienced a significant reduction in the number of children over the past decade, necessitating responsible long-term decisions by the authority.
Community Reactions and Future Plans
Supporting the recommendation, councillor June Jones described the situation as sad and highlighted the school's role as "a key part of the community for over a century."
Councillor Dilwyn Morgan expressed concerns about the impact on the Welsh language but suggested that moving to a larger school might provide more opportunities for the children, where Welsh would be "a more natural part of their lives."
Dewi Jones provided further context on the demographic changes, stating that in 2016, Cyngor Gwynedd had approximately 9,000 children enrolled in primary schools, a number which has since dropped to "just over 7,800."
"That's a substantial reduction, and in light of that, we can't just continue as we are. It forces us to have to change things."
Following the closure, Ysgol Cefn Coch will become the designated alternative school for the catchment area starting from 1 September.
