OBJECTIONS to the closure of two primary schools in the Cardigan area are due for consideration next week.

On Tuesday (March 19) Ceredigion County Council’s cabinet will receive reports on the responses given to the recent statutory notice to close Trewen and Beulah Primary Schools.

Local communities had objected to the proposals to discontinue the schools due to fall pupil numbers and increasing costs.

The reports to cabinet state that there were 65 objections received regarding the closure of Trewen School, nine objecting to Beulah’s closure - and a further six regarding the proposed closure of Clicennin School at Lampeter.

Comments from those supporting Trewen School include: “If you took away the threat of closure they pupil numbers would rise reversing the effect of the threat of closure,” “a great loss to the community” and “my son learnt more in four months at Trewen than he learnt at a big school in 18 months.”

Alternatives were put forward to keep the school open, such as moving pupils from Beulah to boost numbers.

A delay on closure to build up numbers at all the schools is suggested, in light of new housing developments nearing completion and in the pipeline.

Similar support was given to Beulah School, along with a petition signed by more than 200 people. Parents also set up a campaign to save their school.

A teacher stated: “Lessons are planned to suit each child, differentiation is the norm. With small class sizes, teachers know their pupils’ strengths and weaknesses and work is set accordingly.”

Another objection document notes that there are “major flaws” with Cenarth School being an alternative, including potential capacity issues.

The reports will be “noted” by cabinet with a final decision on the schools' status due at the May meeting of full council.