Schools reorganisation outlined

The council will hold a consultation process

The future of education in Ceredigion for the next 12 years has been outlined by the county council, and it could mean some schools merge or close.

Officials are expected to launch a consultation process about its plans at the end of the month.

In some parts of the county, schools already work in clusters while area schools have been built in other locations, said Ceredigion council.

Local authorities across Wales have been reviewing school provision.

In some areas this has led to school closures, and in parts bitter campaigns have been fought to keep buildings open.

Under the plans in Ceredigion, community schools may close and larger federal buildings built.

Best possible

But the council stressed that it wanted to engage with communities to find the best possible option for their area.

A council spokesman said: "The education and community services department aims to have drawn up recommendations, based on the outcome of the consultation process, before the end of 2008 in order to report back to Ceredigion's cabinet in January 2009."

He said a report about restructuring schools outlined a number of "broad options, on a completely open-ended basis".

He added: "Ceredigion's education and community services department has already outlined the general content of its report to head teachers of Ceredigion schools, briefed and updated a range of stakeholders.

"It is common knowledge that a number of major, purposive developments have already occurred with, for instance, a number of schools working together in clusters or merging.

"Elsewhere there have been moves made towards development and building area schools - such as the facility to serve the Synod Inn area to open in September 2009."

The Welsh Language Society said it welcomed the discussion about a county-wide strategy for rural schools.

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