Four Carmarthenshire schools with low pupil numbers are facing closure, with plans recommending their shutdown set to be discussed by councillors next week. Ysgol Blaenau, Ysgol Pontiets, Ysgol Carwe, and Ysgol Bancffosfelen are all proposed for closure, subject to a formal consultation process.
Budget deficits and falling rolls
The council is recommending closure of all four schools, with a formal consultation on their future to kickstart the process. Carmarthenshire has many small schools with dwindling pupil numbers operating in deficit. The Plaid-Independent-led council closed one school in August and plans to shut another two at the end of December.
Budget deficits at Ysgol Blaenau, Ysgol Pontiets, Ysgol Carwe, and Ysgol Bancffosfelen are forecast to rise to £362,556, £80,469, £23,243, and £107,773 respectively by the end of 2026-27.
Changing education landscape
A report before the education, young people, and Welsh language scrutiny committee, which meets on October 13, said the education landscape was changing in Wales as birth rates fell and building maintenance costs and recruitment pressures rose.
“This is particularly acute in the primary sector at the present time and in January 2026 there were more than 1000 fewer statutory aged primary learners in Carmarthenshire than in 2021,” it said. “Every school is required to have a formally calculated pupil capacity and in January 2026 there were more than 3,500 surplus pupil spaces across the county’s 94 primary schools.”
There were 22 schools in the county with 50 or fewer pupils in January this year, compared to 18 two years previously. “Fewer pupils in schools, with increased surplus capacity, has reduced the financial viability of many more schools,” added the report. “Financial pressures in schools can have a significant impact on their ability to deliver high quality education for children.”
Next steps
Committee members will consider lengthy reports on the four schools ahead of a cabinet meeting on November 2, when a decision recommending formal consultations is on the agenda. Shaping discussions have already taken place with the four schools.
According to the report, Ysgol Blaenau has 26 pupils, Ysgol Pontiets has 21 pupils, Ysgol Carwe has 58 pupils, and Ysgol Bancffosfelen has 48 pupils. Ysgol Carwe has also had major building issues, with pupils having to relocate to Ysgol Gwynfryn, Pontyates.
The report recommends shutting all four schools at the end of December 2027, but there will be opportunities for parents, pupils, staff, governors and the wider community to share their views before any final decisions are taken.
