Council considers closure of primary school campus as pupil numbers fall

8 October 2025

A campus of a south Powys primary school could close as part of proposals being considered by the county council.

Ysgol Golwg Pen y Fan opened in September 2024 by bringing together three schools under one governing body. The school is currently spread across three sites in Brecon and Cradoc, before it moves to a brand-new, purpose-built school on the former Brecon High School site, designed to bring everyone together under one roof.

Plans for the new building are moving forward with real momentum. With support from the Welsh Government and Powys County Council, the vision is becoming reality. A contractor is expected to be appointed in early 2026, and while the building won't be ready by the end of 2026 as first hoped, the journey is well underway. This new space will be more than just bricks and mortar - it will be a vibrant, modern home for learning, growth, and opportunity for both pupils and staff.

However, pupil numbers have fallen significantly at the Cradoc campus and the council is considering whether the campus should close ahead of the move to the new building. The campus saw a drop from 71 pupils in Septembers 2024 to just 39 in September 2025. It is projected that there will be a further decline, with pupil numbers dropping to 32 by September 2026

The proposal, which aligns to the council's Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys, is driven by a range of educational and operational benefits.

Consolidating sites will simplify leadership and management, reduce travel and duplicated efforts, and generate cost savings on maintenance and administration. It will also help balance pupil numbers across locations, reduce surplus places, and enable a more consistent educational offer for all learners.

Cllr James Gibson-Watt, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys, said: "We are committed to securing the best possible start for our learners and we believe that our Strategy for Transforming Education in Powys will achieve this.

"As part of the strategy, we need to address the high proportion of small schools in the county, decreasing pupil numbers and the high number of surplus places.

"The Cradoc campus currently has a 75% surplus capacity and faces challenges in offering the same level of provision as the other sites, including access to wraparound care.

"Bringing staff and pupils together will support stronger collaboration, allow for more effective grouping by ability or need, and foster social development through larger peer groups. It also makes it more viable to run clubs, sports teams, and enrichment activities.

"We remain committed to providing a new school building for Ysgol Golwg Pen y Fan and these plans are moving forward. This proposal provides greater certainty for the school ahead of their move."

To read the updated Strategy for Transforming Education 2020-2032 and details of the Transforming Education Programme - Wave 2 (2022 - 2027) visit Transforming Education