Latest news with #YsgolLlansteffan
Wales Online
29-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Welsh school in beautiful location has just 8 pupils
Welsh school in beautiful location has just 8 pupils Children have been taught at Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire since the 1950s, but numbers have dropped in recent years to an all-time low and efforts are being made to save it for the future Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire (Image: Media Wales ) Located in a wonderful village in a beautiful area of Wales, this school is in a perfect spot for families with a backdrop consisting of a large beach, an historic castle and beautiful woodland walks. And yet, the school is struggling to survive because of dwindling numbers. Ysgol Llansteffan has just eight pupils and is urgently hoping to attract more in order to safeguard its future. It had more than 30 pupils as recently as 2016, but numbers have continued to fall. Generations of children have been taught in the school since it opened in the early 1950s, many of whom still live in the village. Last year the school had only nine pupils. Then one of them left. Stay informed on Carms news by signing up to our newsletter here . Ysgol Llansetffan is part of a school federation which includes Ysgol Bancyfelin (a 35-minute round trip which includes crossing the notoriously busy A40 dual carriageway) and Ysgol Llangain (10 minutes away by car). Last year, parent and PTA member Charlotte Grice said: 'There were more than 30 children at the school but a main teacher moved schools on a secondment. "Since then, the school has only been able to have supply teachers and that lack consistency and continuity has meant children have moved to other schools, added to the fact that we are quite far out from other areas in Llansteffan. "There's been frustration from parents but we all just want to save it. Unfortunately, with eight children it's just not feasible. It's a huge shame as it's a brilliant school, my daughter loves it there, and it's the best school out of the three in the federation in terms of location - you couldn't wish for a better place.' Parents have now created a video that highlights some of the work that goes on behind the scenes at the school and the education it offers to young minds. The school has been open since the early 1950s (Image: Media Wales ) Rhys Emlyn, the 'Mock Mayor' of Llansteffan, shared the video on social media and said: 'If you are in search of a primary school in the most picturesque of settings, teaching in the medium of Welsh, then Ysgol Llansteffan will surely be an ideal candidate. "The school has been a significant institution for Llansteffan village for many decades, and with a healthy thriving pupil population, will continue to be so for many years to come.' Glynog Davies, cabinet member for education and Welsh language at Carmarthenshire Council, said schools across the area were facing up to a 'range of challenges'. He said: 'The aim is to transform the network of nursery, primary and secondary schools into a strategically and operationally effective resource that meets current and future need for a school-based and community -focused education.' Ysgol Llansteffan is accepting applications for new pupils that will help to save its long-term future. You can contact the school by e-mail on admin@ or by calling 01267 241479. Article continues below
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
School with just eight pupils appeals for more
A school with just eight pupils is hoping to attract more children to help safeguard its future. Numbers at Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthen have dropped from just over 30 in 2016 to eight. Parents at the tiny primary school have produced a social media video to try and attract new families. Carmarthenshire council said there were a "range of challenges" facing the county's schools. Inside the tiny Highland school with just two pupils Head wanted for island school with four pupils Special school options announced after protests Mared Lenny's four-year-old son attends the school. The 41-year-old from Llansteffan said the video showcased what they do as a school. "Llansteffan is a seaside village that has a glorious outdoor environment for children. "The school emphasises the need for outdoor learning and the education focuses on nature and environment and we thought 'well the school is not closing, but we do need more children to join'." She added it was an opportunity for anyone who thought "I'd like my child to have the opportunity to have this sort of education". "They're on the beach, they're in the castle, they're in the forest. "The video showcases what your child can expect when they come into the school. It's a small thing with trying to help keep this school open." Llansteffan is part of a school federation along with Bancyfelin and Llangain, with the schools sharing one headteacher. School governor Huw Iorwerth said the school had to attract more pupils in order to survive. "At the moment there are eight pupils in the school. The school has had over 50 pupils in the past," he said. "Eight is a very small number. That's why, as governors, we're looking at ways of making the very best use for the federation of this particular site. Mr Iorwerth said he had lived in the area for about 40 years and had seen "big changes". "I think the population is probably ageing. A lot of the houses are for rent for holidaymakers or are second homes. "We are hopeful that there's a new estate being built with 12 new houses. We are hoping there will be children in that development that will come to the school." He added he was appealing for people who have young children to consider very carefully about sending their children there. Carmarthenshire council's cabinet member for education and Welsh language, Glynog Davies, said schools in the county were facing a "range of challenges" including a "reducing population, budget constraints and increasing demand for additional learning needs and other services". He added the cabinet had plans to transform school provision across Carmarthenshire. "The aim is to transform the network of nursery, primary and secondary schools into a strategically and operationally effective resource that meets current and future need for a school based and community focused education." The Welsh government said there was a "presumption against the closure of rural schools" but it was up to local authorities to plan school places. A spokesperson said: "When proposing significant changes to schools, local authorities and other proposers must comply with the School Organisation Code." Ms Lenny said it was vital Llansteffan retained the school. "I think a school in a village is extremely important. Children are a part of the community." Phone and shouting ban 'transforms' school plagued by fights 'We must stop mollycoddling kids' says Saturday detentions head teacher Mobile ban in schools not improving grades or behaviour, study suggests
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Llansteffan school with just eight pupils appeals for more children
A school with just eight pupils is hoping to attract more children to help safeguard its at Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthen have dropped from just over 30 in 2016 to at the tiny primary school have produced a social media video to try and attract new council said there were a "range of challenges" facing the county's schools. Mared Lenny's four-year-old son attends the 41-year-old from Llansteffan said the video showcased what they do as a school."Llansteffan is a seaside village that has a glorious outdoor environment for children."The school emphasises the need for outdoor learning and the education focuses on nature and environment and we thought 'well the school is not closing, but we do need more children to join'."She added it was an opportunity for anyone who thought "I'd like my child to have the opportunity to have this sort of education"."They're on the beach, they're in the castle, they're in the forest."The video showcases what your child can expect when they come into the school. It's a small thing with trying to help keep this school open." Llansteffan is part of a school federation along with Bancyfelin and Llangain, with the schools sharing one governor Huw Iorwerth said the school had to attract more pupils in order to survive."At the moment there are eight pupils in the school. The school has had over 50 pupils in the past," he said."Eight is a very small number. That's why, as governors, we're looking at ways of making the very best use for the federation of this particular site. Mr Iorwerth said he had lived in the area for about 40 years and had seen "big changes"."I think the population is probably ageing. A lot of the houses are for rent for holidaymakers or are second homes."We are hopeful that there's a new estate being built with 12 new houses. We are hoping there will be children in that development that will come to the school."He added he was appealing for people who have young children to consider very carefully about sending their children there. Carmarthenshire council's cabinet member for education and Welsh language, Glynog Davies, said schools in the county were facing a "range of challenges" including a "reducing population, budget constraints and increasing demand for additional learning needs and other services".He added the cabinet had plans to transform school provision across Carmarthenshire."The aim is to transform the network of nursery, primary and secondary schools into a strategically and operationally effective resource that meets current and future need for a school based and community focused education." The Welsh government said there was a "presumption against the closure of rural schools" but it was up to local authorities to plan school places.A spokesperson said: "When proposing significant changes to schools, local authorities and other proposers must comply with the School Organisation Code."Ms Lenny said it was vital Llansteffan retained the school."I think a school in a village is extremely important. Children are a part of the community."
