Saltney schools amalgamation proposed amid Flintshire Council investment

Flintshire County Council has confirmed its commitment to a substantial investment in education for the Broughton and Saltney areas, following input from more than 1,500 residents in a recent consultation.

The engagement exercise, aimed at gathering public opinion on the future of educational provision, revealed that while the community recognises the need for change, there is strong support for retaining existing schools.

Many respondents favoured refurbishment and extensions rather than school closures or replacements.

In response, the Council has outlined plans for capital investment in St David’s High School, Broughton.

The investment aims to tackle “capacity issues and support teaching and learning improvements through a major programme of refurbishment and refiguration,” according to a Council spokesperson.

For the area’s primary schools, the Council has proposed merging Saltney Ferry C.P. and Saltney Wood Memorial C.P. into a single school.

The new school would be built on the existing Saltney Wood site and feature state-of-the-art facilities, while Broughton C.P. School would remain unchanged.

A Council statement explained: “Primary school data indicates that two out of the three current English medium community primary schools in the Saltney and Broughton area would be sufficient to meet pupil demand and create a more sustainable model of provision for the future.”

“The Council’s preferred option is that Saltney Ferry C.P. and Saltney Wood Memorial C.P. are amalgamated into one school on the current Wood Memorial site, in a brand new, state-of-the-art education facility, with Broughton C.P. remaining as it is.”

Flintshire County Council emphasised that such decisions are taken with careful consideration due to their potential impact on the community.

“The overall objective is to ensure a high-quality education offer and the best use of financial resources,” the statement continued.

A full public consultation on the primary school proposals is expected in Autumn 2024.

The Council also welcomed the contributions of local councillors and residents during the consultation process.

“We will continue to work closely with the schools and local communities to develop a vibrant and modern learning offer that delivers the best outcomes for students,” the Council added.