Ceredigion Cabinet members were being asked yesterday (Tuesday, 3 September) to give final approval to proceed with the next stage of plans for a new area school in the Aeron Valley.

The council’s preferred option is for a new area school to be built on a site alongside a new Theatr Felinfach.

After being presented with a consultation report and responses, Ceredigion education officers have claimed alternative proposals to a new area school won’t “address the key challenges” facing primary schools in Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd and Felinfach.

Other options put forward include setting up a formal federation between the three schools which would see staff shared; or setting up a ‘multi-site’ school.

Other ideas were to build extensions for Ciliau Parc and Felinfach schools, but close Dihewyd or build a new area school to replace Ciliau Parc and Felinfach schools, but leave Dihewyd School as it is.

Building extensions for Ciliau Parc and Dihewyd, the two schools which have the least surplus places; and building a new school in Ciliau Parc to replace the current school were other proposals.

However, the council report said those options would not solve issues around estimated pupil numbers rising in Ciliau Parc, but declining in Dihewyd and Felinfach.

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