PLANS to save £89,000 by closing schools in Bala is moving forward as Gwynedd council's review period is closing and a public consultation is imminent.
The second smallest school in the county, Ysgol y Parc, is under threat as the council said 'they are concerned about its facilities' and it is 'old fashioned.'
The primary school reorganisation strategy was adopted by Gwynedd councillors in April 2009 and the 13 school catchment areas in the county were reviewed.
The strategy was introduced due to declining pupil numbers in the Berwyn catchment area over the last 30 years and the review began last autumn.
Berwyn was the second important area to be reviewed, the first was Towyn, after the council 'identified areas that have a negative impact' on education.
Gwynedd Council's Education Portfolio Leader, councillor Liz Saville Roberts said areas were prioritised due to factors like class pupil numbers, buildings, difficulties in appointing headteachers, pupils travelling from one catchment area to another and financial resources.
A local advisory panel was set up as part of the review which included three representatives from each school, headteachers, chair of governors, parent governors and local councillors, who have met five times to discuss plans.
Last Wednesday Cllr Roberts presented to the panel her recommendations:
To establish a lifelong school between Y Bala’s three schools.
To close Ysgol y Parc, with the catchment areas moving to Ysgol O M Edwards.
Promoting further co-operation between the headteachers of Ysgol O M Edwards, Ysgol Bro Tryweryn and Ysgol Ffridd y Llyn, both together and with the new lifelong school in Y Bala.
This means Ysgol Berwyn, Ysgol Bro Tegid and Ysgol Bueno Saint could come into one campus giving one school for three -18 year olds.
Cllr Roberts said: "We are yet to decided if that will be in Bala."
She added there are currently 18 pupils, an acting head and one teacher at Ysgol y Parc and the council is looking at sending pupils to Ysgol OM Edwards but decisions on staff are undecided as yet.
The council have pledged to provide free school transport for pupils affected, to the schools recommended by the local authority.
Three schools are not under threat in the strategy, Ysgol Ffridd Y Llan, Ysgol Bro Tryweryn and OM Edwards.
"We value there's a difference between rural and town education and because of that we are retaining three rural schools.
"These will be maintained and strengthened."
Cllr Roberts added the changes will save £89,000 and 20 per cent of this, £18,000 will be spent on addressing large class numbers in the area while the rest will be kept in Gwynedd's education budget.
Last week a study, commissioned by Hyrwyddo Ysgolion Bach (Promoting Small Schools) said school closures will result in little or no cost savings.
Cllr Roberts said the report was commissioned by a group that supports small schools and she had not yet read it.
The recommendations will now be presented to the councils children and young people's scrutiny committee for consideration on Monday, May 24.
A formal consultation will begin in July.