Eight primary schools in Caerphilly County Borough could be partially merged into four ‘federations’ as part of a proposed educational shake-up.
Four new school federations would be formed comprising of Park Primary School and Gilfach Fargoed Primary School; Fleur De Lis Primary School and Pengam Primary School; Bedwas Junior School and Rhydri Primary School; and Ynysddu Primary School and Cwmfelinfach Primary School.
Schools would share governance arrangements and have a single governing body as federations.
Existing governing bodies would be dissolved and replaced by a new, single governing body, comprising of between 15 and 27 governors in each of the four federations.
Schools would keep their individual identity, including maintaining their own name, budget, character, school uniform and ethos.
But they would also be able to share resources such as facilities, IT, staff and school buildings.
Each school can also retain its headteacher if it wishes and each would continue to have its own Estyn inspection.
But new staff can be appointed to work across federated schools.
Federations do not bring cash savings to the council but they may “ease financial pressure within schools” because resources can be shared, according to a council report.
If the proposal is accepted, the federation between the schools would come into being in April 2019, according to a draft proposal.
Each of the school’s governing bodies have given their backing to proceeding to public consultation on the plans.