Powys County Council has announced the commencement of a consultation regarding the plans to transform Ysgol Bro Caereinion in Llanfair Caereinion into a Welsh-medium school.

The proposed change aims to move the all-age school along the language continuum, gradually evolving it into a fully bilingual institution. This transformation would allow pupils in this area of Powys to access designated Welsh-medium secondary education, a provision already available in other regions of Wales but currently unavailable in Powys.

Last month, the Council's Cabinet gave its approval to initiate formal consultations on these plans.

The council now seeks the opinions of the public on this proposal. If the proposed change is implemented, it will be introduced gradually on a year-by-year basis, beginning with Reception and Year 7 students in September 2025.

To support the transition, pupils not yet in the Welsh stream will receive additional assistance through immersive Welsh language support program 'Trochi.' This provision will allow students currently in the English stream to transfer to Welsh-medium education.

Similar schemes have proven successful in Powys County and other local authorities, facilitating a smooth transition from English-medium to Welsh-medium education.

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.

"This proposal would see the council provide well planned provision for increasing the opportunities for a growing number of children and young people to become fully bilingual, fluent in both Welsh and English and therefore contributing to the Welsh Government's aspiration to achieve a million Welsh speakers by 2050.

"This proposal meets the aims of the Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys and implement the commitments in our Welsh in Education Strategic Plan, which will enable us to make good progress against our target of increasing the number of pupils being taught through the medium of Welsh.

"However, it is important that the school communities of Ysgol Bro Caereinion and its feeder primary school, along with those living in the wider area, have their say on these proposals. I would urge them to send their views so that they can be considered."

To participate in the consultation, individuals can visit the Powys County Council website here https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/14816/Ysgol-Bro-Caereinion. Alternatively, written responses can be emailed to [email protected] or sent via post to the Transforming Education Team, Powys County Council, County Hall, Llandrindod Wells, LD1 5LG.

The consultation period will conclude on Thursday, November 30, 2023.