Public consultation to launch over plans to increase student numbers at Welsh-medium school

Pupil capacity at a Welsh-medium primary school in Wrexham could soon increase.

Executive board members today voted in favour of launching a public consultation over plans to increase capacity at Ysgol Bro Alun in Gwersyllt from a single form 210 with a 30 pupil nursery, to a 1.5 form 315 school with a 45 pupil nursery.

The increase will be subject to a successful bid to Welsh Government to support the extension of the building and facilities on site.

Ahead of any official changes to capacity at the school, a consultation will take place between 18 September 2018 and 15 November 2018, with a report due before the executive board in March 2019.

If approved the first year of entry would be September 2019 for nursery and reception classes only. However Wrexham Council say the school will continue to offer the 45 entry each year during the admission round.

In previous years Wrexham Council has faced criticism over its admissions process and the lack of school places available for parents wishing to send their children to a Welsh-medium school.

Speaking yesterday, leader of Wrexham Council, Cllr Mark Pritchard said the plans were a “fantastic story and should be celebrated”.

Such sentiments were echoed by Deputy Leader, Cllr Hugh Jones, who said: “It is excellent to see we are fulfilling the aspirations of our Welsh Strategic Plan by increasing the numbers of learners. As indicated it is in support of the Welsh Government’s aim of one million Welsh speakers by 2050.

“As a council we should continue in this direction.”

Yesterday also saw councillors vote by a majority in favour of creating a 210 Welsh-medium primary school in Borras.