The last two single sex council-run schools in Wales are to merge and become one school for boys and girls. Caerphilly County Borough Council approved plans to shut close Lewis Girls School in Ystrad Mynach and change the status of nearby Lewis School Pengam from single sex to co-education with effect from September 2025.
Caerphilly is the last council in Wales to still operate single sex comprehensive schools. As it approved plans for them to merge teachers at Lewis School walked out in protest.
Striking members of the Nasuwt Cymru say they are walking out in a row over fears about job cuts and workload under the merger. They claim there was no proper consultation about the plans.
You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
Caerphilly Council said it set up a special board was established in 2019 to develop a series of recommendations for change in terms of post 16 education, single sex schools and surplus places.
“Over recent months a formal process has been carried out to deliver this change, including a period of Statutory Notice and an opportunity for formal objections to be submitted. In total, only 17 objections were received and these were considered by the cabinet as part of the decision-making process,” the council said in a statement.
It said that Lewis Girls School and Lewis School Pengam share the same catchment areas, with many families having children at both schools. The high levels of surplus places at both schools were a key reason for the cabinet’s decision.
After the meeting Cllr Carol Andrews, CCBC cabinet member for education, said:
“This decision will deliver significant benefits for pupils and staff at both schools and will align our school provision with other local authorities across Wales.
“All key stakeholders have been engaged over recent months and have had the opportunity to have their say as we moved through the decision-making process.
“We will now work collectively to ensure there is a smooth and well-managed transition in the interests of all pupils, staff and parents.”
The council will now publish a “decision letter” setting out reasons for the decision with reference to the School Organisation Code 2018.
But the Nasuwt insisted that the closure is being made “without any consideration to the impact the changes will have on members workload, working conditions and the welfare of members”. Members have been given no assurances that they will not lose their jobs, the union added.
NASUWT General Secretary Dr Patrick Roach said: “The local authority are attempting to force through the closure of this school.
“We have yet to be reassured this merger with Lewis Pengam will happen fairly and without significant job losses or changes to teachers working conditions.
“The approach taken so far is not in the interests of the school community and will only serve to escalate the dispute.”
Neil Butler, NASUWT National Official Wales said it was “not acceptable” that the union’s members “do not know what is going to happen” in terms of job losses and how their working conditions will be affected.
What is happening where you live? Find out by adding your postcode or visit InYourArea
