Councillors in Caerphilly have backed a consultation on a proposal that could see Deri Primary School close from next September amid sharply falling pupil numbers and financial pressures. The governing body brought the proposal to the local authority, saying it was unable to balance its budget on the current and projected roll.
Falling rolls and funding squeeze
The school currently has 55 pupils on roll. Of those, around one in eight are pupils who live outside the catchment area, and just two children have started in the nursery this year, councillors were told. Officers warned that, if current trends continue, surplus places at the school could increase to 60% within five years.
| Measure | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Pupils on roll | 55 |
| Nursery joiners this year | 2 |
| From outside catchment | One in eight |
| Projected surplus places (5 years) | 60% |
Caerphilly Council’s senior education officer explained the position to the education committee, citing live birth data from health services and parental preference patterns within the school’s catchment. Officers said the number of children entering the school is much lower than the number expected to leave from Years 5 and 6, fuelling concerns about long‑term viability.
Local reaction: head and heart
Opposition among some councillors was evident. One member said the prospect of closure caused "a great sadness", urging decision‑makers to weigh both practical and community considerations.
"I just feel for the parents and guardians, the teaching staff and especially the governors of Deri – it’s a village school,"
The councillor added that the loss of almost 50 children from the village would be deeply felt, and warned that other schools in the borough could face similar pressures if birth rates remain low. The remark reflected wider anxiety about sustaining small, rural schools when funding is closely linked to pupil numbers.
Council context and recent history
Council officers described the matter as "contentious" and said the education committee should be reassured by the experience of pupils affected by a recent school closure elsewhere in the borough. Former pupils of Rhydri Primary, which closed in July 2025 for similar financial reasons tied to falling birth rates, have reportedly settled into new schools.
The decision to proceed to a formal consultation does not yet determine the school’s fate; it will allow parents, staff and the wider community to submit views before any final determination is made. The consultation process is intended to examine alternatives, consider the impact on pupils and staff, and assess the transport and logistical consequences of any proposed changes.
What happens next
- The council will carry out a formal consultation on the governing body’s proposal to close Deri Primary School from next September.
- Parents, staff and local residents will be invited to take part and submit responses during the consultation period.
- Officers will present findings and recommendations to councillors before any final decision is taken.
For many families in and around Deri, the prospect of a village school closing raises questions about community identity, travel to alternative schools and the future of local provision. The consultation will be a critical moment for parents and staff to make their case as councillors balance financial realities with the social role small schools play across Caerphilly County Borough.
Coverage will continue as the council sets out the timetable for the consultation and local residents prepare to have their say.
