All schools under 120 pupils should be up for closure

FIGURES which show 22 Conwy schools are below capacity have led to an outspoken councillor again questioning why the council isn't prioritising shutting small rural primary schools.

- By RICHARD EVANS Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

The figures released by the Pupil Level Annual School Census reveal Conwy has five schools with 35% or less capacity.

Cllr Paul Luckock has now named a rural school he believes should close. According to the 2025 figures, the schools with the lowest capacity are: Ysgol Betws y Coed at 10% with 10 pupils; Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan at 35% with 14 pupils; Ysgol Llanddoged at 34% with 33 pupils; Ysgol Dolwyddelan at 31% with 18 pupils; and Ysgol Capel Garmon at 35% with 16 pupils.

Other figures presented in a Conwy school budget working group spreadsheet for 2025 reveal that Ysgol Betws y Coed receives £13,672 per pupil whilst Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan receives £13,193, Ysgol Llanddoged £7,425, Ysgol Dolwyddelan £10,056, and Ysgol Capel Garmon £13,844.

Meanwhile Ysgol Deganwy receives just £3,712 per head, Ysgol Glanwydden £3,703, and Ysgol Pen y Bryn £3,741, with many more coastal schools in a similar situation. Cllr Luckock says all schools should have at least 120 pupils in line with Welsh Government learning methodology for the funding formula to work.