A CONSULTATION that could see the closure of Fairwater High School and Llantarnam School in 2015 will begin following a Torfaen Cabinet decision.

Torfaen Cabinet members yesterday gave approval to start a consultation on the closure of the schools in September 2015, as part of the 21st Century Schools programme to tackle surplus secondary school places.

The recommendation is for a new school to be built on the Fairwater High School site to open in September 2015, with a £6m investment from the 21st Century Schools programme.

The head teacher at Fairwater High School, Helen Coulson, said:

“Closure of any school is always a difficult and emotive subject. However, with a declining pupil population, the issue of surplus places has to be addressed within Torfaen LA and difficult decisions will have to be made.

“Here at Fairwater High School, we will continue to improve standards and build on our excellent GCSE results from August 2013. We will ensure we have put our pupils in the best possible position to move forward, whatever the outcome may be.”

The programme has already determined the closure of Kemys Fawr Infants School and Pontymoile Primary School, while Pontnewynydd Primary School is currently under consultation

At the meeting, the executive member for children and young people Cllr Brian Mawby, said: “It is always controversial to close schools but I want to categorically deny conjecture that is a move motivated by financial gain.

“In this situation doing nothing is not an option the Welsh government will tolerate.”

Cllr Anthony Hunt added: “This is a genuine long term plan for the future of education in this part of Torfaen.”

The proposal will ensure that Torfaen is able to meet the Education Minister’s target of no more than 15% surplus places by 2015.

Cabinet members were informed that if the closures do not go ahead then the issue of surplus places will remain and both schools will become less financially viable over time.

The consultation will run in January and February next year.