The annual celebration of literacy sees children dress up as their favourite characters from popular books. Despite lockdown restrictions, schools and parents across Powys were determined to mark the day. Pupils at Castle Caereinion Primary School dressed up as their favourite literary characters. The children also enjoyed have virtual sessions with six famous authors along with over 500 other children from across the country. The Foundation Phase children met with Jonny Duddle, the author of Gigantosaurus ; John Kane, the author of I say Boo, you say Hoo and Julia Patton, the author of Number 7 Evergreen Street . The Key Stage Two pupils met with Konnie Huq, the author of Cookie and the most annoying girl in the world ; Andy Shepherd the author of The boy who sang with dragons and Wilbur Smith and Chris Wakling, the joint authors of Cloudburst .
CONSULTATION on plans to create a new primary school in Powys by merging three existing schools has begun, the county council has said. Powys County Council (PCC) is proposing to merge Mount Streets Infants School, Mount Street Junior School and Cradoc County Primary School in Brecon to create a new super primary school as part of transforming education plans for the Brecon catchment area. The council’s cabinet gave the go-ahead last December to start formal consultation on the plans. Now the council is asking for views from the public on the proposals, which it says would improve the education entitlement and experience for future learners.
AN ONLINE petition to save a Montgomeryshire primary school from shutting is closing in on 500 signatures. Protesters against Powys County Council (PCC) plans to close Castle Caereinion Church in Wales School near Llanfair Caereinion set up a change.org petition last week, which had reached 461 signatures by Sunday (February 14). Supporters of the school have described it as “worth its weight in gold” and say closing it would be akin to “ripping the heart” out of the community. The county council confirmed on February 9 that a consultation over controversial plans to close Castle Caereinion, as well as three other rural schools in Powys, will go ahead. The petition quickly appeared to fight proposals.
Closing the school is supposed to save Powys County Council (PCC) around £58,000 a year. It was pointed out at the PCC cabinet meeting on Tuesday, February 9, that Castle Caereinion is a faith school, The expectation therefore would be that pupils would be offered places at a similar school. Cllr David Jones (Guilsfield – Independent) who represents Castle Caereinion, pointed out that discussions with the Diocsese of St Asaph, would be “key” to what happens to the school. Cll Jones, said: “The diocese rightly brings attention to the fact that no special allowance has been made for the fact that it is a Church in Wales school.