Caerphilly primary school could close amid falling pupil numbers

Deri Primary School in Caerphilly has just 57 pupils on roll, with 29 per cent of places surplus.

That figure is projected to rise to more than 60 per cent by 2031.

Councillor Carol Andrews, Caerphilly County Borough Council's cabinet member for education, said: "Problems linked to falling pupil numbers are not unique to Deri Primary and we recognise the financial impact this can have on schools.

"It has become apparent that the future of the school is becoming unsustainable and, as a result, governors have formally requested that the local authority explore the possibility of undertaking a consultation regarding the potential closure of the school."

The governing body has written to parents to advise that a public consultation could be launched in the near future, with a potential closure date of September 2027.

Deri Primary has been working with the council to address its financial challenges, but the continued decline in enrolment has made it increasingly difficult to balance the budget.

A report will be considered by the council’s Education and Social Services Scrutiny Committee next week, before cabinet is asked to approve a consultation at its meeting on September 23.