What plans does the Welsh Government have in place to mitigate the impact on the local community should Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council proceed to close Rhigos Primary School?
The responsibility for planning school places rests with local authorities. They must ensure that there are sufficient schools providing primary and secondary education for their area.
The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 sets the legislative framework for school reorganisation and requires the Welsh Ministers to publish a school organisation code. When proposing significant changes to schools, local authorities must comply with the 2013 Act and the published School Organisation Code (the Code) and must consider a range of factors, the prime consideration being the interests of learners. The demand for school places being another factor for consideration.
If a local authority concludes there is a need to establish a new school, close an existing school or make a regulated alteration to a school, there are statutory procedures which must be followed. In the first instance, they must consult interested parties explaining the reasons for bringing forward the proposal. The local authority must ensure those consulted have sufficient information to allow them to form a considered view.
When proposing significant changes to schools, particularly where this involves the closure of a school, the local authority should consider the impact on the local community. The Code states that those bringing forward proposals should show that the impact of closure on the community has been assessed through the production of a Community Impact Assessment and how any community facilities currently provided by the school could be maintained.
On 18 September, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s cabinet approved a consultation to close Rhigos Primary School and transfer pupils in the catchment area to Hirwaun Primary by September 2024. The consultation is expected to run from 2 October to 17 November. Anyone with an interest is encouraged to make their views known during the consultation period.