North Wales Live readers have been voicing their opinions on a contentious suggestion by Cllr Paul Luckock to consider the closure of small schools in Conwy, with a focus on those with fewer than 120 pupils.
The debate has intensified following data showing that 22 Conwy schools are operating below capacity, prompting Cllr Luckock to renew calls for the council to focus on closing small rural primary schools. The Pupil Level Annual School Census figures indicate that Conwy is home to five schools at 35% capacity or less, all of which have available spaces.
The figures showed Ysgol Betws y Coed having just 10% capacity and 10 pupils; followed by 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, according to the 2025 projections.
The situation is exacerbated by the high number of Airbnb properties in the region, claims reader Peterbees, who writes: “There are NINETY airbnb’s listed in Betws y Coed. No wonder the school numbers are down.”
While Robredz says: “Perhaps the councillor would like to empty the villages of people and relocate them to a town? The logistics of getting those children to schools maybe 15 or more miles away are OTT.”
Outofhere comments: “So these small children have to travel further are too young to be bussed need Mums and Dads to take and collect. More traffic more risk with greater distances travelled and more cost for parents oh and not every parent has a car. Luckock is totally out of touch. Ask people in his own town.”
Masonred4 offers this solution: “Put out an advert to populate the villages.”
Cymro53 questions: “10 pupils at Betws Y Coed doesn鈥檛 sound correct.”
Joebloggs999 believes: “10 pupils, 14 pupils, etc. It’s a no brainer, close them!”
PedroD writes: “He鈥檚 right (and I can hardly believe I鈥檓 agreeing with him), a mega school in Llanrwst would be an ideal place to consolidate them. Alternatively do we return to the school teacher in front of a mixed age class in one large room, youngsters at the front and seniors at the back, format of olden days.”
Puffinisland12 replies: “Was that the time when we didn鈥檛 have a poor NHS? A time when we had fewer MPs and no AMs? Was it the time when we had fewer councillors, but all were local? Was that the time when we had a police house in every village?”
Do you agree that small schools with less than 120 pupils need to be closed? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.