Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board has backed proposals to extend the age range of four Carmarthenshire primary schools. Members have approved a proposal to publish a statutory notice which, providing there are no further objections, would allow children to be accepted from the age of three at Betws, Bynea, Pembrey and Pwll primary schools. Headteachers, governors and parents at all four school catchment areas have been consulted about the move to introduce the Flying Start programme, which targets prevention services in geographic areas of deprivation in Wales. The aim is to improve outcomes for families and prepare young children for school. The age range at all four schools is currently four to 11. Related link View the archived webcast of the meeting

Decisions on the futures of five Carmarthenshire primary schools have been deferred to allow councillors more time to consult with communities, consider more detailed reports and visit the schools. Members of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board accepted the Education Scrutiny Committee’s recommendation that decisions to discontinue Llanedi, Bancffosfelen, Llanmiloe, Tremoilet and Laugharne primary schools be held until the end of June. They also accepted a recommendation to visit all schools. Parents and members of the community representing some of the schools were present at County Hall on Monday to hear the Executive Board’s decision. Members were due to consider two reports that set out the current position at the schools where pupil numbers are in decline. Numbers at Llanedi have gone down from 33 in 2010 to 18, creating surplus places of 51 per cent. The proposal is to discontinue the school, transfer pupils to Hendy Primary School, and redesignate the catchment of...