Closure threat to 5 schools; COUNTY PLANS TO SHUT ONE OUTRIGHT AND MERGE FOUR MORE.

Byline: HYWEL TREWYN

of falling numbers at Croesor, Llawrybetws, near Corwen and Rhydyclafdy, Llyen. Coun Saville Roberts said: "The schools will not close straight away unless the numbers of pupils are frighteningly reduced. The four schools will not close until a new area school is ready."

The recommendations have been presented to the Tywyn Area Review Panel, and will now will go to the Council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee for full consideration on October 8 and the full council on December 10.

[e-mail] THE futures of five primary schools are hanging in the balance amid a major education shake up in Gwynedd.

The council yesterday revealed plans to shut one school outright and merge four others.

The recommendations, unveiled by education portfolio leader Liz Saville Roberts are:. Close Ysgol Abergynolwyn, (with around 20 pupils), Ysgol Bryncrug, (20 pupils), Ysgol Llanegryn (30 pupils) and Ysgol Llwyngwril (30 pupils), and build a new area school to serve the four communities in the Bryncrug or Llanegryn area.. Close Ysgol Aberdyfi and offer places for children from the catchment area at Ysgol Penybryn, Tywyn (200 pupils).. Encourage cooperation between Ysgol Pennal (35 pupils) and Ysgol Dyffryn Dulas, Corris (70 pupils).

It follows major protests by hundreds of parents, pupils and teachers in October 2007, when Gwynedd revealed a hit list of 29 primary schools for closure.

A new political party - Llais Gwynedd - was formed to oppose the plans and the council scrapped its original blueprint.

In April, a new "catchment-area strategy" was adopted, which meant groups of schools in specific areas would be considered for closure or merger at a time.

They decided the first schools to be considered for re-organisation would be in the Tywyn area.

In the meantime three schools have already closed because

CAPTION(S):

Education portfolio holder Liz Saville Roberts