Public Notices

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, County Hall, Castle Hill, Carmarthen, SA31 1JP

Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 43 of the School Standards and Organisation Act 2013 and the School Organisation Code that Carmarthenshire County Council propose to discontinue Ysgol Y Fro, Llangyndeyrn, Carmarthenshire, SA17 5BW.  The school is currently maintained by Carmarthenshire County Council.

Carmarthenshire County Council undertook a period of consultation before deciding to publish this proposal. A consultation report containing a summary of the issues raised by consultees, the proposer’s responses and Estyn’s full response is available on Carmarthenshire County Council’s website.

It is proposed to implement the proposal on 31 December 2026. 

There were 15 pupils registered at the school at the January 2025 and January 2026 census points.

From the 1 January 2027, it is proposed that pupils attend Ysgol Y Dderwen, a Welsh medium (Category 3) community primary school located on Heol Spurrell, Carmarthen, SA31 1TG subject to parental preference and the Council’s admissions arrangements.

From the 1 January 2027, it is proposed that the catchment area of Ysgol Y Fro be re-designated and included within the existing catchment areas of the following schools:

Parents retain the right to express a preference for any school of their choice including Ysgol Y Dderwen subject to the Council’s admissions arrangements. Please note that should a decision be made to close Ysgol Y Fro, any application will be assisted by choosing a school within the relevant revised catchment areas. 

No additional measures are required to increase capacity at the identified alternative schools.

Transport will be provided in accordance with Carmarthenshire County Council’s School Transport Policy. In particular, eligible pupils attending their nearest suitable school or the school designated by the Authority will receive free transport where they live beyond the statutory walking distance.

Transfer to secondary school will remain as per current arrangements.

The implementation of the proposal to discontinue Ysgol Y Fro is seen as the most appropriate response to address the reasons identified in formulating the proposal due to the following factors:

• There are significant surplus places at Ysgol Y Fro due to the falling roll over a number of years and only 15 pupils registered at the school at the January 2026 census point.
• Pupil projections remain low for the school.
• The school is currently operating in a budget deficit position and implementation of the proposal would prevent this situation from deteriorating further. 
• The school’s budget share per pupil is £11,326. This is £5,353 higher than the Carmarthenshire County Council primary school average of £5,973 for 2026-27.
• Closure of Ysgol Y Fro supports Carmarthenshire County Council’s Primary Education Footprint Principles.

Objection Period

Within a period of 28 days after the date of publication of this proposal, that is to say by the 14 July 2026, any person may object to this proposal. Objections should be submitted through:

• completing the online survey
• by e-mail to MEPConsultations@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
• or by sending a letter to Mr Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure, Carmarthenshire County Council, Castle Hill, County Hall, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 1JP.

Signed: Mr Owain Lloyd

Mr Owain Lloyd, Director of Education and Leisure For Carmarthenshire County Council 

Dated: 16 June 2026

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This Explanatory Note does not form part of the Notice but is offered by way of 
clarification)

1. The intention of the Authority is to cease to maintain Ysgol Y Fro on 31 December 2026, and for pupils to attend Ysgol Y Dderwen from the 1 January 2027.
2. As from the 1 January 2027, the catchment area for Llangunnor Primary School, Llanddarog VC Primary School, Ferryside VC Primary School, Gwynfryn Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian, Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Y Castell will be amended to incorporate the current catchment area of Ysgol Y Fro. 
3. Ysgol Y Dderwen is a Welsh medium community primary school which caters for pupils aged 3-11.  The 2026-27 capacity of the school is 366 and the Admission Number is 45 for 2026-2027. 
4. Current school transport policy confirms that assistance with transport will be  provided by the Authority for pupils who meet each of the following criteria:-
   (a)  are of compulsory school age;
   (b)  attend the nearest or the school designated by the Local Authority; and
   (c)  who reside over the statutory walking distance from the school of 2 miles.
5. In accordance with the Local Authority’s admissions policy, parents are entitled to apply for admission (or transfer request) to any school.