A new ‘super-school’ is a step closer to being built in Rhymney to replace Abertysswg and Pontlottyn primary schools – but not Fochriw.
Original plans for the £12 million primary school on the old Rhymney Comprehensive School site would have closed Fochriw Primary School, as well as Abertysswg and Pontlottyn.
But an informal consultation found just 14% of those who responded in Fochriw were in support of the new school
The majority were concerned about transport, particularly during cold weather, and the loss of community identity.
Similar concerns were also raised by some parents at Abertysswg and Pontlottyn schools and there are campaigns against their closures as well.
Eddy Blanche, Chair of Fochriw and Pentwyn Residents’ Association, said: “It’s fantastic news. I’d like to thank everyone in the community who helped.
“We fought hard with the save the school campaign and at last the council seems to have seen sense.
“It would have killed the village. If you don’t have a school in a village any young parents thinking about moving here wouldn’t come and those living here might leave.
“I hope the other schools carry on to win their fight.”
A spokesman for Caerphilly County Borough Council said: “The council consulted with the local community and only 14.4% of respondents agreed with the proposals to close Fochriw Primary School and transfer pupils to the new site in Rhymney.
“Members will now consider federation arrangements for Fochriw Primary School in due course.”
Fochriw Primary School has 89 pupils, excluding nursery, and will cost £576,000 to maintain over 25 years, according to the council.
The plan is part of the 21st Century Schools Programme which receives funding from the Welsh Government.
It was budgeted to cost £12m, match-funded between the council and Welsh Government, but is now expected to cost less as the school will be smaller.
A formal consultation into the new school will now be carried out before councillors finalise plans and a budget.
The consultation begins on November 14 and will last until December 31, with a decision on the school made in June 2015.
Under the plans the schools will open in January 2017 and could result in compulsory redundancies.
The council said redundancies would be minimised by limiting permanent recruitment over the next two years.