TWO Cwmbran secondary schools could close as part of Torfaen council plans to improve all the county's schools.

Llantarnam School and Fairwater High could close and a new school established, as part of the authority's revised 21st century schools programme, which was resubmitted to the Welsh Government on Friday.

The authority, along with all other Welsh councils, submitted their original 21st century schools proposals 12 months ago, when it was thought the Welsh Government would provide 70 per cent of the funding to improve schools in four stages over the next 12 years.

But the Welsh Government has now told councils it has lowered its funding contribution to 50 per cent, delayed the start of the project to 2014, and asked authorities to resubmit plans for the first stage of the programme according to new criteria.

The changes have led Torfaen to propose slashing spending on the project from £280.6 million between 2012 and 2023 to £257.6 million between 2014 and 2028.

At an extraordinary meeting of the council on Thursday, councillors unanimously agreed revisions to the first phase, or Band A, of the plans, which covers work from 2014-2019.

Spending during that time has been reduced from £90.6 million to £81.6 million. But a report to members also revealed details of what that will be spent on. This will include the closures of Llantarnam and Fairwater. A new school will then be established on a site to be determined at a cost of £6 million.

Headteachers of the two schools welcomed the proposals. David Marshall, head teacher at Fairwater High School said: "Any proposals which result in improved, more contemporary and modern provision for pupils of this area is to be welcomed."

Head teacher at Llantarnam School David Bright added: "The transition needs to be managed well, but our job in education is about changing the future, so I welcome better facilities for the children of Cwmbran."

Primary schools which could be closed and merged with others as part of the first stage plans include Pontymoile, Pontnewynydd, and Kemys Fawr Primary.

The revised Band A proposals will now be considered by the Welsh Government. Torfaen's executive member for children and young people Cllr Mary Barnett said: "If successful, our proposals will raise teaching standards, pupil achievements, and give all young people the aspiration and opportunity to be the best they can be."

IN Torfaen's original plans, it was proposed to close the area's sixth forms, and replace them with one post-16 college.

Under the revised proposals submitted on Friday the authority wants to provide academic post-16 education from two sixth forms - one on the sites of Croesyceiliog and the school to replace Llantarnam and Fairwater, and another across St Albans, West Mon and Abersychan.

Coleg Gwent would remain the main provider of vocational courses and Torfaen Training work based training and learning.

This would cost £2-£4 million, could be implemented by September 2013 and would "pave the way for a seamless transfer" to a post-16 centre in the future when funding issues have been resolved.

But the report delivered to members on Thursday also hit out at Coleg Gwent, who the report said had submitted a proposal of their own to the Welsh Government to run all the borough's post-16 education from its Pontypool campus at a cost of £16 million.

The report said the council had "grave concerns" about the proposal, which it said was a revival of a previous system that did not work, and there had been no consultation with council or members of the public.

But Coleg Gwent said although it is exploring a plan for post-16 education, it has not submitted it to the Welsh Government. Coleg Gwent principal Jim Bennett added that the college would have liked the opportunity to discuss its plan with the council, but this had not happened.

He added: "Torfaen officers are not aware of any of the detail, but have dismissed it anyway."

Read more about Coleg Gwent's response in Monday's Argus.