Staff at Ysgol Robert Owen in Newtown are facing job cuts and financial issues just months after the school opened
Newtown: It’s hard to believe, but just five months after the shiny new £22 million Ysgol Robert Owen opened, things are looking pretty grim. The school, which was supposed to be a game-changer for education in the area, is now facing empty classrooms and potential job cuts.
Staff have been told that up to 20 full-time positions might be on the chopping block. And get this—the fancy hydrotherapy pool that was part of the big opening? It might never even be used! The National Education Union Cymru has raised alarms about a looming £300,000 deficit, which is a huge concern.
When the school opened back in September, Powys Council was all about how this was a “milestone” project. They claimed it would transform education for vulnerable kids, but now it seems like they might have jumped the gun. The council is now admitting that the school is under financial strain, but they’re not really addressing the specific issues.
Nicola Fitzpatrick from the NEU Cymru is shocked. She pointed out that it’s unbelievable that so much public money was spent without a solid plan for running the school. It’s like they built a beautiful house but forgot to budget for the upkeep!
And it gets even weirder. The council is planning to build another new school for vulnerable kids while this one is struggling. It’s like they’re trying to fix a leaky roof by building a whole new house instead of patching it up.
Parents are understandably worried. They want to know if their kids will get the quality education they deserve. And staff are anxious about safety—what happens if there aren’t enough people to help lift a child who needs assistance?
Powys Council has acknowledged the financial pressures schools are facing, but they’re also saying the hydrotherapy pool will eventually open. It’s a bit of a mixed message, don’t you think?
In the meantime, the council is pushing ahead with plans for a new £12.7 million school to replace Brynllywarch Hall School. They say it will provide a better environment for kids with complex needs. But with the current school in such a tough spot, it’s hard not to wonder if they’re spreading themselves too thin.
