Llandinam school is one of ten which could face closure

Up to 10 small primary schools in mid Wales could be closed down as a result of a review by the local authority.

Councillors in Powys have passed a report recommending a review of the organisation and management of primary schools in the county.

However, there has been anger that the information has been released before the schools and unions were informed.

Small schools have come under threat in many parts of rural Wales because they are considered too old or too costly to run.

The Powys report highlights the possible closure of five rural primary schools - all with less than 40 pupils who would be moved to schools nearby.

The council will also consider closing four schools in the Ystradgynlais area and replacing them with one new school in the Maesyderwen catchment area.

Somebody has made a mistake and this is a real kick in the teeth Leslie Davies, Howey school governor

In addition, it will also look into setting up one school to replace separate infant and junior schools at Welshpool.

But the chair of governors of one of the closure-threatened schools is angry that the information was released before schools and unions were informed.

The recommendations include carrying out local consultations on the possible closure of Llandinam and Llangurig primary schools in Montgomeryshire.

Pupils from these two schools would transfer to Llanidloes or Caersws schools.

In the south of the county near Ystradgynlais, Glanrhyd, Gurnos, Cwmtwrch and Ynysgedwen schools are earmarked for closure. A new school would be built at the Glanrhyd site.

It also recommends the possible closure of Libanus and Trecastle primary schools with places being provided at Brecon and Sennybridge schools.

Another primary school whose future is under threat is Howey with places being provided in either Llandrindod Wells or Newbridge on Wye.

Howey's chair of governors, Leslie Davies, is also a county councillor and he was aware of the proposals, which were put forward last Thursday.

However, he is angry that information on the targeting of specific schools has been released.

Speaking after a governors meeting at the weekend, Cllr Davies said they would write to the council's education department calling for an investigation into why the information was leaked.

"Somebody has made a mistake and this is a real kick in the teeth because governors, head teachers and unions weren't told about these proposals before the report appeared," he said.

Cllr Robert Bevan, the county council board's portfolio member for primary school reorganisation, said there had been an "administrative error"

"But now the report has been passed it is important that it is in the public domain," he said.

Maintenance backlog

Cllr Bevan, a former director of education in Powys, said the schools' review followed the rejection by councillors last year of a proposal to close Libanus and Trecastle schools.

The review also follows a call by the Audit Commission for local authorities to consider closing schools which are too big for the number of pupils they serve.

Powys Council currently has a �27m maintenance backlog for its schools.

"The National Assembly have also pointed out that we need to look at this because the cost of educating every child in a small school is enormous compared to those at a larger school," said Cllr Bevan.

Even if the council decides to close any of its schools, the decision could be called in by the assembly.