Treowen could close under updated school plans

Plans have been unveiled by Powys County Council which could see Treowen School close and move to a new building in the centre of the town - but Maesyrhandir to stay where it is.

Powys County Council have announced that updated plans for Newtown schools will be considered by council’s Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, October 17 and by Cabinet on Tuesday, October 24.

A few months ago, the Council announced it was reviewing plans to consid increasing the size of the new Ysgol Calon y Dderwen building, transforming it into a community-focused school that could serve a wider population.

This potentially meant both Treowen and Maesyrhandir schools being merged into the one building on the Calon y Dderwen campus.

In July, the Council undertook an engagement exercise and gathered the views of the public.

Following this engagement exercise, the plans have been changed to increase the capacity of the proposed new school building at Ysgol Calon y Dderwen so that pupils from Treowen C.P. School can also be included.  It is the intention that, from September 2025, pupils continue to attend the existing Treowen building until the new building at Ysgol Calon y Dderwen is ready.

When the new building opens, the Treowen site closes and all pupils then move to the new school building for Ysgol Calon y Dderwen.  Cabinet will be asked to approve the start of formal consultation. 

The changes will be subject to the statutory school reorganisation process which involves further extensive consultation with schools and their communities, before any final decisions are made.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said

"Securing the best start in life for our young people is the only way that we can build a Stronger, Fairer and Greener Powys. One of the ways we can achieve this is by transforming education.

“I believe that these proposals meet the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys as we look to improve the learner entitlement and experience while delivering 21st Century facilities that would provide environments where learners and teachers thrive and reach their potential.