Flintshire School Closures Spark Community Outcry Over Catholic School Merger Plans

Controversy Over School Reorganisation

Flintshire County Council is facing significant public opposition over plans to close four Catholic schools and create a single ‘super-school’ in Flint. Four Catholic schools in Flintshire could close under new plans to create a single 3-18 all-through Catholic school in Flint. The proposal has sparked fierce debate about the future of Catholic education in the county, with parents, governors and local politicians expressing deep concern.

Schools Affected and Timeline

They include St Anthony’s Catholic Primary in Saltney, St David’s in Mold, St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School and St Mary’s in Flint with the proposed new school being developed on the existing sites of St Richard Gwyn and St Mary’s in Flint and leading to the closure of St Anthony’s by September 2026. Under the current proposal, St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School is set to close by September 2026 due to declining pupil numbers, which have made it increasingly difficult to sustain the school.

Community Response and Opposition

The proposals have been met with overwhelming resistance from affected communities. A consultation over the summer on the plans saw more than 2,000 respondents make their feelings known, with 95% against the proposals. Parents have launched petitions and organised campaigns, with a 2,600 signature petition handed to Saltney’s Flintshire County councillors voicing opposition to the closure of St Anthony’s.

Council’s Rationale

The proposal, part of Flintshire County Council’s school modernisation programme, will be considered by Cabinet later this month, with a formal consultation expected if the plans are approved. The Council is working in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Wrexham and the Welsh Government on the project, which aims to address the issue of surplus places and ensure a sustainable future for Catholic education in the county.

Concerns and Implications

Parents have raised multiple concerns about the impact on their children’s education and wellbeing. Families from Saltney would face a significant commute, whilst children could experience multiple school moves during the transition period. The controversy has also extended to the political sphere, with North Wales MS Sam Rowlands supporting the campaigns and calling the proposals ‘crazy’. The debate continues as the consultation process moves forward, with the future of these historic schools hanging in the balance.