Critics of single-sex school merger raise pupil wellbeing and staff job fears

A final decision on the future of two single-sex schools in Caerphilly is likely to be made in mid-December.

Caerphilly County Borough Council has proposed closing Lewis Girls’ School and gradually making Lewis School Pengam – which is currently boys-only – co-educational by 2027.

If cabinet members agree to pursue the project, single-sex state education in Caerphilly – and in Wales – will begin to come to an end in September 2025.

An objection report, which must be compiled and published as part of the council’s obligations, reveals the local authority received 17 letters opposing the plans.

The sources of these statutory objections are not specified, but the council consulted with various groups, including pupils and parents, staff and governors, local and national politicians, and other professional bodies.

Among the responses, pupil wellbeing emerged as an area of concern for critics of the plans.

In response, the council said it “acknowledges the concerns raised” and pledged that “mitigations will be put in place should the proposal progress to support a smooth transition”.

Transition arrangements will focus on “keeping all informed about the process and addressing any emerging issues, with a view to minimising any anxieties and disruption”.

The impact on staff was another area of concern, including job security and “levels of communication to date”, especially at Lewis Girls’ School.

The council said it “recognises that a proposal of this nature will naturally raise a number of questions as to the future staffing structure and vacancy management”.

But it did not offer any guarantees of job safety – and officers have warned previously they are unable to comment on school staff changes during consultation processes, before any final decisions have been made.

Some other objections focused on a loss of parental choice relating to single-sex provision.

The council said it “fully acknowledges that there are benefits and disadvantages” to the proposals, and to keeping things the same, and said both schools’ headteachers would “work collaboratively to address any concerns”.

Objectors also raised matters of educational standards, and the impacts on the “bespoke curriculum delivery” at each school.

The council, in response, said Wales’ school inspection agency, Estyn, “supported the view that ‘the proposals are likely to maintain the standard of education provision in the area’”.

This is because each school has surplus places, and their merging could help the council “target resources more effectively”, the local authority claimed.

The council’s education committee is expected to meet on November 26 to discuss the statutory objections to the proposals, before making a recommendation to cabinet members to proceed.

A final decision is currently expected to be made at a cabinet meeting on December 11.