#ysgol-pontiets — Public Fediverse posts

SCHOOL CLOSURES: Four more Carmarthenshire village schools face the axe, three of them in the Gwendraeth Valley

Three more Gwendraeth Valley village schools could close at the end of 2027, along with Ysgol Blaenau near Llandybie.

Ysgol Carwe, Ysgol Pontiets and Ysgol Bancffosfelen are all named in closure plans going before Carmarthenshire Council councillors on Tuesday, with 155 children across the four schools facing a move.

The council’s education scrutiny committee will be asked to back formal consultation on all four. Cabinet would make that call on 2 November.

It comes a day before full council takes the final vote on closing Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Y Fro in Llangyndeyrn.

Which Carmarthenshire schools could close, and where the pupils would go

Carway’s 58 pupils have been taught at Ysgol Gwynfryn in Pontyates for more than a year. The council wants to make that move permanent from 1 January 2028.

Their own building shut over safety fears in August 2025, and the council puts the cost of the work it needs at more than £2m over five years.

At Bancffosfelen, 48 pupils would move to Ysgol Pontyberem. The council says the school hall has been declared structurally unsafe and needs knocking down, after a 1960s classroom extension had already been taken out of use.

All teaching now happens in the original Victorian building, which the council says suffers persistent water coming in, damp and mould.

Pontiets’ 21 pupils would move to Ysgol Ponthenri, with nearly three-quarters of the school’s places empty, according to the council.

Ysgol Blaenau, near Llandybie, has 28 pupils, only four of whom live in its catchment, the council says. They would move to Ysgol Gymraeg Penygroes or Ysgol Llandybie.

Gwendraeth Valley village schools hit hardest

If they all go ahead, four of the six village schools facing closure in the county by the end of 2027 would be in the valley. Ysgol Y Fro in Llangyndeyrn is set to shut at Christmas if full council agrees on Wednesday.

Most of the children would stay in the valley, moving to Ysgol Gwynfryn, Ysgol Ponthenri or Ysgol Pontyberem.

The valley has been here before. Mynyddygarreg’s school was spared after its community campaigned for more than a year and gathered a petition of more than 1,000 signatures.

Pontyates has already fought to keep its GP surgery this year. Hywel Dda University Health Board dropped its plan to close Meddygfa’r Sarn in May after a four-month campaign, but campaigners now say no GP partnership has come forward to run it.

Blaenau and Pontiets have faced closure before

This is the second closure threat for Blaenau. In December 2021 the council put plans to close Blaenau and Mynyddygarreg on hold, with education cabinet member Glynog Davies calling for a fuller review first.

Pontiets was one of four rural primaries put under review last year, but its consultation was shelved while Carway’s future was unresolved.

What closing the four schools would save

The council says closing all four would save around £140,000 a year in running costs. Pontiets accounts for almost half of that, at £66,807.

Blaenau’s finances are the worst of the four: it ended 2025-26 £287,857 in deficit and is forecast to reach £362,556 this year, according to the council. Bancffosfelen is £62,924 in the red and heading for £107,773.

Carway and Pontiets were both in surplus in March, but the council expects both to slip into deficit this year.

It also points to building bills it would avoid, including £727,321 of work at Bancffosfelen and £310,802 at Blaenau over five years.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith says the plans are full of “errors”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith is urging all four schools to lobby scrutiny councillors before Tuesday to reject consultation.

The group’s Ffred Ffransis said: “By proposing to close four additional village schools even before the Council has made its decision on Meidrim, the Cabinet has shown that it is on a mission to close village schools throughout the county outside the towns and a few large villages.”

He said the officers’ “rushed work” had thrown up “numerous errors”, and that the Bancffosfelen document relies on an Estyn report from 2018 when the school was inspected again this year, with the report due next month.

The group also says promises to Carway and Bancffosfelen that money had been set aside for their buildings have been broken.

Ffransis added: “The future of our village schools and communities should not be taken so lightly.”

What happens at Tuesday’s scrutiny meeting

The committee meets at County Hall in Carmarthen at 10am on Tuesday 13 October.

If cabinet agrees on 2 November, a formal consultation would follow, with the closures taking effect on 31 December 2027.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

MEIDRIM: Village school down to 24 pupils ahead of final vote on Christmas closure
Full council decides on Meidrim and Ysgol Y Fro on Wednesday.

CARWAY: Council weighing village school’s long-term future as £1.8m classrooms stay on hold
Carway’s children bussed to Pontyates, with formal proposals promised.

Carmarthenshire school closure plans put on hold… for now
Blaenau and Mynyddygarreg’s 2021 reprieve.

PONTYATES: Campaigners urge GP teams to bid for Meddygfa’r Sarn as tender opens
The search for a new GP team to run the village surgery.

#Bancffosfelen #Blaenau #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #Carway #CarwayPrimarySchool #CllrGlynogDavies #CymdeithasYrIaith #education #featured #GwendraethValley #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #ModernisingEducation #Pontyates #ruralSchools #schoolClosure #WelshMediumEducation #YsgolPontiets

PONTYATES: Dot Cotton, dragons and miners — the village mural years in the making

A sweeping new mural celebrating the history and characters of Pontyates has been completed — and tucked among the miners, dragons and Welsh legends is a face every soap fan will recognise.

The artwork stretches the length of the wall beside the rugby club in the Gwendraeth Valley village, and was painted by artist Steve Jenkins, who works as Jenks.

The new mural runs the length of the wall beside the rugby club and park in Pontyates.

Years in the making

The project was a long time coming. Jenks was first approached by a local community group around four years ago to look at painting the wall.

“This would be a huge price to do all of this,” he recalled telling them at the time, given the sheer size of the wall. “And I gave them a quote, and that was the end of it.”

But the group — Pontyates Community Improvement, or Gwella Cymuned Pontiets — did not give up. Over the following years they held a string of fundraising activities, including an annual party on the pitch, until they had raised enough to pay for the whole thing.

Jenks only realised it was really happening when he drove past one day on his way to Carmarthen and saw the wall had been painted white, ready for him.

Designed by the village’s children

Rather than decide the content himself, Jenks went into two of the village’s schools to ask the pupils what they wanted to see.

“There’s no bad ideas,” he told them during the brainstorming sessions. The result is a wall packed with detail, much of it drawn straight from the children’s imaginations.

A strong theme of community ran through the children’s ideas — fitting for a spot with a hard-won recent story of its own.

This part of Pontyates was historically known as Sarn, a name carried today by the village’s GP surgery, Meddygfa’r Sarn, which sits just across from the park where the mural is painted. The practice was saved from closure earlier this year after a determined community campaign — and the “Y Sarn” name even appears on a painted signpost within the mural itself.

There are nods to the village’s mining past, with a miner in his helmet, a colliery winding tower and figures walking home from the pit.

The mural brings together the village’s mining heritage, Welsh legend, rugby and more. (Image: Swansea Bay News)

The canal that once ran through Pontyates is there too, shown alongside the railway that replaced it — a steam train hauling coal where narrowboats once carried it.

A narrowboat and a steam train mark the canal that once ran through Pontyates, and the railway that replaced it.
(Image: Swansea Bay News)

Welsh legend gets a look in with Twrch Trwyth, the wild boar of the Mabinogion, while a willow tree, Welsh poppies and daffodils fill out the scene.

There is rugby, naturally, with a player in the black of Pontyates RFC and the club’s crest, and a Welsh dragon curls across one end of the wall.

A nod to Pontyates RFC, complete with the club crest.
(Image: Swansea Bay News)

An inside joke and a soap legend

Some details reward a closer look. One signpost appears, at first glance, to have been vandalised — pointing to “Pentre Hyn” and “Pentre Draw” — but it is in fact a gentle local in-joke.

The names mean roughly “this side” and “that side” of the village, and villagers traditionally use them depending on where they happen to be standing — so wherever you are, the other part of the village is always “the other side.”

A miner, the colliery and the “vandalised” signpost — a gentle local in-joke.
(Image: Swansea Bay News)

Then there is Dot Cotton. The beloved EastEnders character, played by the late June Brown, was suggested by pupils at Ysgol Pontyates — and she has a genuine link to the village.

June Brown was evacuated to Pontyates during the Second World War, a connection that made the much-loved launderette legend a fitting, if unexpected, addition to the wall.

The Welsh dragon and Dot Cotton share the end panel of the mural.
(Image: Swansea Bay News)

From furloughed to full-time

For Jenks, the mural is part of a journey that began during the pandemic. A keen follower of hip-hop and graffiti art, he had long wanted to paint for a living but never thought it possible.

Furloughed from his factory job during lockdown, with paint and time on his hands, he went out and painted a couple of NHS tribute murals — and the response took off from there.

He kept his factory job for another year, but the requests kept coming, and eventually he decided to take the plunge and paint full-time. That was four years ago.

Since then his community murals have appeared across the area, including a five-panel artwork on the seafront in Llanelli and a tribute in Port Talbot to the late father of actor Michael Sheen.

He described the Pontyates mural as his “gift to the community” — and said the response had already created a buzz, with people heading up to the wall to take photographs beside it.

“The more you go up to it, the more you’ll spot things,” he said. “That’s what I’m hoping.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Jenks transforms Llanelli seaside wall with five-panel community mural
The artist’s themed tribute to his hometown’s past, present and spirit.

‘Our community has been heard’ — Meddygfa’r Sarn saved from closure
How the village fought off the loss of its GP surgery.

Port Talbot mural pays tribute to Meyrick Sheen
Jenks honours the late father of actor Michael Sheen.

#featured #Jenks #mural #Pontiets #Pontyates #YsgolPontiets

Councillors demand halt to Pontyates GP surgery closure plans as pressure mounts on Hywel Dda

The intervention comes just five days after Swansea Bay News first revealed the surgery’s future was in doubt on 22 January, sparking immediate concern among residents and community leaders.

In a letter sent yesterday to the Chair and Chief Executive of Hywel Dda, Pontyates councillors Alex Evans, Tyssul Evans and Meinir James set out a series of objections to the proposal, which is due to go out to public consultation on 9 February.

They say the health board appears to have a “preferred option” of closure before the consultation has even begun, and warn that the impact on patients has not been properly assessed.

The councillors argue that forcing thousands of patients to register elsewhere would pile pressure onto already overstretched practices in Pontyberem, Kidwelly and surrounding communities. For many residents — particularly older people, disabled patients, carers and those without cars — reaching alternative surgeries would require taking two buses.

They have asked the health board to confirm whether an Equality Impact Assessment and Health Impact Assessment have been completed and published, and say no consultation should begin until this work is done.

The letter also calls for a pause to the process and “meaningful engagement” with the community on alternatives to closure. A written response has been requested as a matter of urgency.

Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said she “very much shares patients’ concerns” and has asked health board bosses to attend a public meeting with residents as part of the consultation.

The fight to save the surgery comes as Pontyates faces another major battle over local services. Earlier this month, villagers secured a temporary stay of closure for Pontyates Primary School, but parents warned the reprieve was only the start of a longer campaign.

Residents say losing both the school and the GP surgery would hollow out the village and leave families without essential services.

With the consultation on Meddygfa’r Sarn due to open in early February, campaigners say the next few weeks will be crucial for the future of healthcare in the Gwendraeth Valley.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Future of Pontyates GP surgery in doubt as health board considers dispersing all 4,300 patients
Initial report revealing the threat to Meddygfa’r Sarn and the scale of the impact on local healthcare.

Community backlash grows as residents warn closure of Pontyates GP surgery would be a ‘massive blow’
Residents speak out as fears rise over losing the village’s only GP practice.

Pontyates villagers vow to continue fight to save school
The community secures a temporary stay of closure for the primary school but warns the battle isn’t over.

#CllrAlexEvans #CllrMeinirJames #CllrTyssulEvans #HywelDdaUniversityHealthBoard #MeddygfaRSarn #NiaGriffithMP #Pontiets #Pontyates #PontyatesDoctorsSurgery #YsgolPontiets

Pontyates villagers vow to continue fight to save school

The school is one of four earmarked for closure by December 2026 under the council’s modernisation plans. A last‑minute decision means Pontyates is likely to be excluded from the immediate process, but campaigners insist the threat remains and uncertainty continues.

At a public meeting last week, villagers agreed to press ahead with their campaign.

A spokesperson said:

“Of course it is a relief to hear that the consultation process is unlikely to proceed in the case of Ysgol Pontyates, but the anxiety and uncertainty will continue. There is no clarity as to how long the delay will be. For the benefit of the children and staff we must continue to fight, demand fairness for our families and our community, and ensure a future for a school – which has just celebrated its hundred and fifty years – for generations to come.”

Parents and villagers packed into the public meeting in Pontyates, facing the governors as they voiced opposition to Carmarthenshire Council’s consultation on school closures.

Campaigners accused the council of rushing plans “in a thoughtless and unnecessary manner” and described the consultation process as “fickle and inadequate.” They also raised concerns about the financial management of the county’s schools, pointing to a forecast overspend of £9 million.

The spokesperson added:

“This is nothing short of small village schools paying the price for others’ profligacy, because of a clear and unfounded prejudice against them.”

Parents also highlighted the impact on children, warning that closures would mean upheaval and long journeys to larger schools.

One pupil said:

“Our school is small but it is very special. We all know each other… We learn everything in Welsh and we are very proud of that. It is part of who we are and it helps keep our village and our language alive.”

Campaigners plan to protest outside County Hall in Carmarthen when the Cabinet meets on 17 November at 10am to decide whether to continue with the consultation.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Four Carmarthenshire schools face closure under modernisation plans
Carmarthenshire Council has earmarked four village schools for closure by December 2026 under its modernisation programme.

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Council leader Darren Price has stepped down for personal reasons, with Deputy Leader Linda Evans covering until December.

#carmarthenshire #carmarthenshireCouncil #carmarthenshireCountyCouncil #education #pontyates #protest #schoolClosure #schoolModernisationPlan #ysgolPontiets

Four Carmarthenshire schools face closure under modernisation plans

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Education, Young People and the Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee will meet on Tuesday (14 October) to examine proposals affecting Ysgol Llansteffan, Ysgol Y Fro, Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Pontiets.

The reports, published ahead of the meeting, recommend issuing a Statutory Notice to close Ysgol Llansteffan from August 2026, while launching formal consultations on the future of Ysgol Y Fro, Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Pontiets.

Schools identified as “no longer viable”

Council officers say the four schools have been assessed against viability criteria including pupil numbers, budget position and educational standards. Ysgol Llansteffan, for example, has just eight pupils on roll, with projections showing only 18 by 2030. Its cost per pupil is more than three times the county average.

Ysgol Y Fro in Llangyndeyrn currently has 15 pupils and was placed in Special Measures by Estyn earlier this year. Ysgol Meidrim, with 31 pupils, is also in Special Measures following an inspection in 2024. Meanwhile Ysgol Pontiets has 24 pupils and more than 70% surplus places, with projections showing numbers continuing to fall.

The council argues that such small cohorts mean pupils are taught in mixed‑age classes, making delivery of the new Curriculum for Wales increasingly difficult.

At a glance: the four schools under review

Ysgol Llansteffan
8 pupils on roll (PLASC 2025). Estyn: No follow‑up (2024). Proposed closure August 2026, with pupils transferring to Ysgol Llangain.

Ysgol Y Fro, Llangyndeyrn
15 pupils on roll. Estyn: Special Measures (Feb 2025). Consultation on closure, with Ysgol Y Dderwen identified as receiving school.

Ysgol Meidrim
31 pupils on roll. Estyn: Special Measures (Apr 2024). Consultation on closure, with Ysgol Griffith Jones identified as receiving school.

Ysgol Pontiets
24 pupils on roll. Estyn: Not in follow‑up. Consultation on closure, with Ysgol Pum Heol identified as receiving school.

Financial pressures and surplus places

The reports warn that the schools are running unsustainable budgets, with deficits forecast to rise. In some cases, the per‑pupil funding is more than double the county average.

Closing the four schools could save the authority more than £340,000 a year in revenue costs, while the sale of redundant buildings could generate up to £695,000 in capital receipts if no community use is found.

Cllr Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education, said the strategy aimed to ensure a sustainable and balanced provision of education throughout the county.

“These proposals will help to address the challenging circumstances faced by individual schools and the wider school system, which includes schools operating with pupil numbers far below their intended capacity and unsustainable financial situations,” he said.

Local concerns

Cllr Tyssul Evans, whose Llangyndeyrn ward includes Ysgol Y Fro, acknowledged the emotional impact of the proposals.

“Sadly we are as a local authority dependent on funding from central Government and there have been cutbacks. And unfortunately the number of pupils in these schools has fallen drastically over the years.

We are faced with reality. We have to take steps. We have got to live within our means. It is sad, of course it is.”

Previous closures put on hold

This is not the first time Carmarthenshire has faced controversy over school closures. In December 2021, as Swansea Bay News previously reported, plans to shut Ysgol Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Blaenau were put on hold after an extended review of the Modernising Education Programme. At the time, campaigners celebrated a reprieve, but councillors warned that viability reviews would continue across the county.

What happens next

If scrutiny members back the recommendations, the proposals will go before Cabinet on 17 November 2025. Ysgol Llansteffan would move directly to a Statutory Notice of closure from August 2026, with pupils expected to transfer to Ysgol Llangain. Ysgol Y Fro would enter consultation, with Ysgol Y Dderwen identified as the preferred receiving school. Ysgol Meidrim would also enter consultation, with Ysgol Griffith Jones as the preferred receiving school. Ysgol Pontiets would follow the same process, with Ysgol Pum Heol identified as the likely destination.

Parents would still retain the right to apply for places at other nearby schools under the council’s admissions policy.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Carmarthenshire school closure plans put on hold… for now
Proposals to close Ysgol Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Blaenau were paused in 2021 after an extended review of the county’s Modernising Education Programme.

Councils clash over Mynyddygarreg school closure plan
Kidwelly Town Council opposed Carmarthenshire’s decision, warning the loss of Ysgol Mynyddygarreg would “decimate” the community.

Llanelli MP and MS voice concern over council’s Mynyddygarreg school closure proposal
Local representatives raised fears about the impact of closing Ysgol Mynyddygarreg on families and the Welsh language.

#Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CllrGlynogDavies #CllrTyssulEvans #education #Estyn #featured #Llangyndeyrn #Llansteffan #Meidrim #Pontyates #ruralCommunities #schoolClosure #smallSchools #specialMeasures #YoungPeopleAndTheWelshLanguageScrutinyCommittee #YsgolLlansteffan #YsgolMeidrim #YsgolPontiets #YsgolYFro