Press Release: Proposals to alter school status ended

Councillors have approved a recommendation not to proceed with proposals to change the status of Cilgerran VC School following statutory consultation.

A report to Full Council recommended that a decision be taken not to proceed with the discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School and establishment of a 3-11 Community School on the same site.

The proposals were put forward in response to reducing pupil numbers in the Preseli area, including Cilgerran School, and it not being possible to consider future Federation of a VC school with Community Schools, making the longer-term sustainability of Cilgerran School uncertain.

While these issues remain, the arguments expressed by the Diocese, in respect of legal arrangements for securing continued occupation of the school premises, should the proposal be implemented, would likely result in an extended period of uncertainty for the school community.

Pembrokeshire County Council appreciates the Diocese’s opposition to the proposals which would have meant the nearest VC school in the area would be a significant distance away.

Cabinet Member for Education and Regeneration Cllr Paul Miller said: “There is clearly strong support within the community for maintaining the schools VC status which is evident both in the consultation response and in the views expressed by school leaders when I visited the school in September.

“In addition, there remains a difference of opinion between the Council and the Diocese regarding the legal implications of discontinuing the current school and the arrangements for continued occupation of the site. Resolving those issues could require further negotiations and potentially lengthy legal proceedings, with no certainty over timescales or outcomes.

“Proceeding in these circumstances is not proportionate to the outcome being sought and my view is that to proceed would not be in the best interests of the school community.”

The decision was welcomed by the Diocese, with Chief Executive and Diocesan Secretary, Iwan Thomas, stating: “Our position, and that of the school community, has always been clear. With 97% of parents who responded to the survey supporting the retention of the school’s Church in Wales status, we firmly believed that the proposed change was neither in the best interests of the school community nor consistent with the legal foundations upon which the school was established.

“We are grateful to the Council officers who have engaged constructively with the Diocese to recognise the complexities of the situation and reach an outcome that

puts the school community first.

“This decision respects the principles upon which Cilgerran School was founded and which it continues to uphold so successfully today. We look forward to continuing to work with Pembrokeshire County Council and the school community to secure a positive and sustainable future for the school.”