Viability work starts on establishing Welsh-medium education in mid Powys

30 September 2022

Image of a primary school classroom

Work to explore the possibility of establishing Welsh-medium education at a new location in mid Powys has begun, the county council has said.

Powys County Council is investigating the viability of establishing Welsh-medium education in the current Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P. School building in Dolau near Llandrindod Wells.

A key element of the work includes assessing the possible demand for Welsh-medium education across East Radnorshire.

To help with the assessment, the council has produced a questionnaire for parents of primary and pre-school aged pupils and those considering starting a family in the Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Presteigne areas to complete.

Cllr Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: “Within Scrutiny before the election, I called for an analysis of the viability of using the Dolau site as a new Welsh-medium school for East Radnorshire.

“Following the election, the new Cabinet has delayed the implementation of the proposal to close Llanfihangel Rhydithon C.P School for 12 months to 31 August 2023 to ensure this proposition has been thoroughly considered and an opportunity for developing the language is not lost.

“As part of this work, we have produced this questionnaire to assess possible demand for Welsh-medium education in East Radnorshire and whether this provision would be viable or not in Dolau.

“I would urge parents of primary and pre-school aged pupils living in Llandrindod Wells, Knighton and Presteigne to fill in this questionnaire to help the council have the most detailed picture of the potential for a Welsh medium (bilingual for all) school in the area.”

To fill in the questionnaire visit www.haveyoursaypowys.wales/dolau-wm

Parents have until Thursday, October 27 to submit their responses.

Further information about the questionnaire is available by emailing [email protected]

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