Skip to content

School with just eight pupils appeals for more

Aled Scourfield
BBC News
BBC A photo of the school building. It is a brown building with white framed windows and a picnic bench on gravel in the foreground. There is a stone fence to the left of the image and a grassy verge to the right with bushes. It is a grey day.BBC
The present school building in Llansteffan has been open since the 1950s

A school with just eight pupils is hoping to attract more children to help safeguard its future.

Numbers at Ysgol Llansteffan in Carmarthen have dropped from just over 30 in 2016 to eight.

Parents at the tiny primary school have produced a social media video to try and attract new families.

Carmarthenshire council said there were a "range of challenges" facing the county's schools.

Mared Lenny's four-year-old son attends the school.

The 41-year-old from Llansteffan said the video showcased what they do as a school.

"Llansteffan is a seaside village that has a glorious outdoor environment for children.

"The school emphasises the need for outdoor learning and the education focuses on nature and environment and we thought 'well the school is not closing, but we do need more children to join'."

She added it was an opportunity for anyone who thought "I'd like my child to have the opportunity to have this sort of education".

"They're on the beach, they're in the castle, they're in the forest.

"The video showcases what your child can expect when they come into the school. It's a small thing with trying to help keep this school open."

Mared looking at the camera. She is holding her hands up towards her chin and has a couple of silver rings on. She has long dark hair and glasses on her forehead. Behind her is a blurry image of the school.
Mared Lenny says even though the school is not closing they do need more children to join

Llansteffan is part of a school federation along with Bancyfelin and Llangain, with the schools sharing one headteacher.

School governor Huw Iorwerth said the school had to attract more pupils in order to survive.

"At the moment there are eight pupils in the school. The school has had over 50 pupils in the past," he said.

"Eight is a very small number. That's why, as governors, we're looking at ways of making the very best use for the federation of this particular site.

Seven children in a playground in school. There are a few wearing red t-shirts and black shorts and, one is wearing a pink dress in the background and another a white t-shirt and black shorts. Three are playing in a sandpit while the others are on the grass.
There are just eight pupils at Ysgol Llansteffan

Mr Iorwerth said he had lived in the area for about 40 years and had seen "big changes".

"I think the population is probably ageing. A lot of the houses are for rent for holidaymakers or are second homes.

"We are hopeful that there's a new estate being built with 12 new houses. We are hoping there will be children in that development that will come to the school."

He added he was appealing for people who have young children to consider very carefully about sending their children there.

A man looking at the camera. He is wearing a blue shirt and has a grey beard and moustache, it is stubbly. He has dark shades on and behind him is the school, which is slightly out of focus.
School governor Huw Iorwerth admits that Llansteffan needs more pupils to secure its future

Carmarthenshire council's cabinet member for education and Welsh language, Glynog Davies, said schools in the county were facing a "range of challenges" including a "reducing population, budget constraints and increasing demand for additional learning needs and other services".

He added the cabinet had plans to transform school provision across Carmarthenshire.

"The aim is to transform the network of nursery, primary and secondary schools into a strategically and operationally effective resource that meets current and future need for a school based and community focused education."

The Welsh government said there was a "presumption against the closure of rural schools" but it was up to local authorities to plan school places.

A spokesperson said: "When proposing significant changes to schools, local authorities and other proposers must comply with the School Organisation Code."

Ms Lenny said it was vital Llansteffan retained the school.

"I think a school in a village is extremely important. Children are a part of the community."