Carmarthenshire County Council has approved the discontinuation of Ysgol Y Fro at its meeting held on Wednesday, October 14.

The closure will come into effect on 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, Ysgol Y Fro pupils would have been transferred Ysgol Y Dderwen, subject to parental preference and the Council’s admissions arrangements, however there are currently no pupils registered at Ysgol Y Fro.

The catchment area of Ysgol Y Fro will be re-designated and included within the existing catchment areas of the following schools: Llangunnor Primary School, Llanddarog VC Primary School, Ferryside VC Primary School, Gwynfryn Primary School, Ysgol Gymraeg Gwenllian, Ysgol Gynradd Mynyddygarreg and Ysgol Y Castell.

Ysgol Y Fro was identified based on criteria set out within the Modernising Education Programme, approved by Cabinet on 18 November 2024 in order to address challenges faced by the school. This includes:

  • Extremely low pupil numbers
  • High surplus places
  • High number of pupils living within catchment are attending other schools
  • Pupil projections suggest that there is little likelihood of pupil numbers increasing dramatically over the next few years
  • Projected deficit budget at the end of this financial year

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Glynog Davies, said: “It is, with sadness, that Full Council has taken the decision to discontinue Ysgol Y Fro.

“We recognise the impact that this decision will have on the community, however the challenges faced by Ysgol Y Fro are considerable. This includes the school operating with low pupil numbers and a high surplus of places, which show little likelihood of recovery due to a falling birth rate and an unsustainable financial situation.

“This decision will enable Carmarthenshire County Council to deliver quality education opportunities for all children in Carmarthenshire.”