Flintshire Cabinet backs next step in Catholic school merger
Flintshire Cabinet members have chosen to reject a recommendation to reconsider plans to close four Catholic schools and create a super-school in Flint.
The ruling coalition of councillors voted to open a formal objection period. The 28-day window will offer opponents of the plans a last-chance to make their case against the closure of three Catholic primary schools – St David’s in Mold, St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint – plus St Richard Gwyn in Flint and the construction of a £55 million catholic super-school for pupils aged 3-18 in Flint.
The Cabinet decision dismissed a recommendation by the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee last week asking them to pause the process and reconsider after 95% of respondents to a public consultation rejected the proposal – a partnership plan with the Diocese of Wrexham.
If approved the plan will be 85% funded by the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Fund, with 15% paid directly by Flintshire County Council.
Cllr Mared Eastwood (pictured above) Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure told Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting: “We fully accept that reviewing the future of any school is controversial and emotive, with schools having strong ties to local communities.
“The proposal is focused on reducing the number of surplus places which diverts resources away from frontline delivery to pupils, improving the learning environment of some schools, securing excellent leadership across the sector to deliver the highest quality education offer for pupils, providing a full curriculum offer for children from age 3-18, further developing Welsh education from within a catholic context and maximising the financial investment available from Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning programme for Voluntary Aided schools.”
Better use of resources
Addressing the scrutiny committee’s recommendation for a pause due to its concerns about education standards, safeguarding, carbon footprint and the use of public money to benefit the catholic church, Cllr Eastwood was unwavering.
“The purpose of the consultation was to gain feedback and analyse the reasons why respondents either agreed or disagreed with the proposal, so that the proposal may be reviewed fully in light of these concerns.
“Merging schools often leads to better use of resources with shared facilities, specialist staff as well as an improved learning environment where staff may collaborate and share best practice. Larger merged schools are often able to offer a larger, more diverse curriculum including access to specialist subjects and extra-curricular activities.
“Larger schools can equally be a nurturing environment where staff know their pupils well. I can attest to this personally as both my sons attended schools which had a large intake of pupils in their year groups.
“Our new schools also come equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities which prepares our children for the world they are growing up in and have calming environments which promote a positive attitude to learning.
“They are designed around the needs of the children, rather than trying to adapt an unsuitable space to current requirements.
Cllr Eastwood said the plans could see schools across Flintshire get more money. Projections for 2029/30 showed that the cost-per-pupil at St David’s would by £7,651 per pupil and £8,977 at St Anthony’s compared to around £4,600 at the super-school. No figures were given for the Flint schools. These savings, according to Cllr Eastwood, would be redistributed across the county.
Increased commute raises net-zero questions
Despite repeatedly claiming the new school would be net-zero carbon in operation, Cllr Eastwood did seem to accept that the additional commute was likely to increase carbon emissions.
“The implication of increased travel on our carbon footprint is noted but sustainable forms of travel will be sourced over the future,” she said. “Whilst net-zero carbon in operation is to be celebrated, that is not the key driver for this proposal. Improving the quality of education delivered in a building which is fit or purpose in a sustainable way is.
“In terms of safeguarding on longer school journeys, the systems used for our Welsh language pupils and vulnerable pupils will be applicable in this scenario.
“I would not wish to discriminate against those pupils who choose a catholic education by saying no to a statutory process at this stage.”
Cabinet supported moving the process to the next stage, leaving parents waiting to find out when the 28-day objection period will open.
Governors dispute diocese claim
As the meeting was taking place the Governors of St Anthony’s issued an open letter refuting claims by the Diocese of Wrexham’s Director of Education Wendy White that they helped create the super-school plan.
During last week’s scrutiny committee Mrs White told councillors: “In the last six to seven years we’ve talked with the schools and the governors about declining numbers.
“I must give every respect to the head, governors and staff over at St Anthony’s in particular that have worked really hard to try and increase numbers. They came to the conclusion that the numbers were not going to increase, they were going to continue to fall.
“So those discussions started and then we came to this proposal. We spent at least 18 months as heads and chairs of governors, diocese and local authority talking about how best to put forward a proposal for the future and the schools were involved in that from the very beginning.”
The suggesting the schools governors were part of the planning for St Anthony’s closure was firmly rejected in the letter.
“We would like to thank the parents, children, staff and wider community for your unwavering support, resilience, and belief in St Anthony’s,” they said.
“We’d also like to pass on our thanks to the councillors who, during the scrutiny committee, placed the wellbeing of the children at the centre of the discussion.
“We are deeply disappointed in how Flintshire County Council and the diocese have managed the proposal. The lack of transparency, communication and consideration for the individual schools and their communities has been profoundly concerning.
“The governing body and school leadership have not been involved in long-term discussions regarding the proposed super-school. We were not consulted six or seven years ago, nor in the lead-up to the current proposal.
“Decisions regarding the proposal were made solely by the former headteacher and former chair of governors with zero consultation with the wider school team or governing body.
“When the new headteacher and deputy headteacher were appointed in September 2024, pupil numbers began to rise and the school was a positive place to be.
“Since the announcement numbers have dropped – which is unsurprising. Parents were understandably worried about their children’s futures and removed them from a school they were very happy in.
“We, the governing body, are fully committed to supporting the school and increasing pupil numbers.
“Despite repeated requests, Flintshire County Council and the Diocese have not engaged in meaningful, face-to-face dialogue with the governing body.
“St Anthony’s is more than just a school — it is a vibrant, caring community where children are nurtured, supported and inspired. Most importantly, they feel safe there. We will continue to fight for the survival of our school.”
In response to the letter Mrs White said: “I can confirm that all heads of Diocesan schools in North Wales have been aware of the challenges of falling pupil numbers on finance and school viability from at least 2019.
“The previous two chairs of governors and the former headteacher of St Anthony’s made numerous efforts over this period to increase pupil numbers, however they continued to fall.
“They attended a series of exploratory meetings to discuss potential ways forward, along with the headteachers and chairs of governors of all catholic schools in Flintshire, Flintshire County Council and the Diocese of Wrexham. This proposal emerged from those discussions.”
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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