Plans to scrap the English stream for reception-age pupils at Ysgol Bro Hyddgen have come under fire from a former teacher.

The school has confirmed it is looking at closing the English stream in September after only four pupils out of 26 wanted to enrol.

Llinos Griffith, who taught in Welsh at both Ysgol Gynradd Machynlleth and then Ysgol Bro Hyddgen, said she had serious concerns about the future of English-language education at the school and claimed there has been a lack of consultation.

She said: “I have also taught through the medium of Welsh in Machynlleth and other schools, so I understand how crucial it is to keep the English stream in Ysgol Bro Hyddgen and how detrimental it would be to pupils’ progress if this was removed.

“Sometimes it is better for them to be concentrate on their learning through the medium of English only, although they do still learn Welsh as a second language.

“With the continuing staff cuts at the school, is this a way of slowly phasing out the English stream and therefore saving money at the school?”

Headteacher Dafydd Jones confirmed that the matter was being discussed because of low numbers of children that were being enrolled on the English-language stream and said parents would be consulted.

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