Mochdre school merger consultation gets the go-ahead from Conwy

The cabinet unanimously voted in favour of a public consultation on the proposed amalgamation of Mochdre’s Ysgol Babanod infants and Ysgol Cystennin junior school.

The matter was discussed at last week’s education and skills overview and scrutiny committee but required the rubber stamp of cabinet members.

An accompanying report listed cost-cutting benefits of the merger, which will happen in 2024 if the proposal gets the go-ahead.

These advantages include streamlined policies and structures, continuity of the curriculum, reduced duplication of economies, greater sense of community, and enhanced professional development for staff.

But the same report also lists ‘redeployment and redundancies’ as a ‘disadvantage’ of the move.

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Other disadvantages could include the cost of new uniforms falling on parents during the cost-of-living crisis as the school name, logo, and uniform could change.

Cabinet members learned the two primary schools have been working closely under the same head and governing body for six years.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Julie Fallon proposed councillors backed the plans, and this was seconded by Cllr Goronwy Edwards, who said the amalgamation was “a natural progression” of the schools working together.

“Consultation should pick up any concerns parents have, so I think it is a natural progression in a way, so I fully support it,” said Cllr Edwards.

Deputy leader Cllr Emily Owen called the move a positive way forward, and leader Cllr Charlie McCoubrey also praised the merger.

Ysgol Babanod Mochdre currently has 44 pupils with a capacity of 81 children aged three to seven, while Ysgol Cwstennin has 65 pupils aged seven to 11 with a capacity of 82.

Under the plans, the new school will continue to operate on two separate sites.

The cabinet vote was unanimous.