Newtown pupils to be nearer to new Welsh medium secondary education

In a significant move aimed at transforming education in north Powys, particularly benefiting Newtown pupils attending Ysgol Bro Caereinion, the county council is poised to consider ambitious plans later this month.

Following extensive engagement with the school community, these plans seek to elevate Welsh-medium education while modernizing the educational landscape.

Powys County Council, building upon its 2022 review of education in the Crickhowell area, is ready to advance the Transforming Education Programme. This initiative, relaunched last year alongside an updated council Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, emphasizes its commitment to a groundbreaking development—designated Welsh-medium secondary provision for North-East Powys students, alongside expanding Welsh-medium offerings in primary education.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for Learning Powys, expressed his conviction in securing a brighter future for young people through educational transformation. He highlighted the goal of nurturing fully bilingual students proficient in both Welsh and English, all within 21st-century learning environments.

“These proposals align with the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys and fulfill our commitments in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan. They represent a significant step toward increasing the number of Welsh-medium pupils,” stated Cllr Roberts.

The plans are set to be scrutinized by the council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on September 20 and Cabinet on September 26.

The proposal involves a phased transition to a Welsh-medium school at the current dual steam Ysgol Bro Caereinion in Llanfair Caereinion, beginning with Reception and Year 7 in September 2025. Additional support, like the successful immersive Welsh language program 'Trochi,' will be provided to non-Welsh stream students.

Cllr Roberts emphasized that these changes would undergo thorough consultation with schools and their communities through the statutory school reorganization process before any final decisions are reached. This ambitious plan signifies a significant step forward in Powys' commitment to offering top-quality education with a strong emphasis on bilingualism.