Parents fighting to save Gladestry Church-in- Wales Primary School near Kington have condemned plans to close it.

Powys County Council’s controversial plan to shut Gladestry school has been described as “shortsighted”

and “baffling” by one Kington mum.

Mum-of-two Judith Gardner, deputy chairman of the Friends of Gladestry School and a Kington parish councillor, said: “I am baffled as to why Powys would identify such a thriving and obviously good school for closure.

“Closures are about saving money but the ethos and character of a school like Gladestry cannot be quantified.

“The proposals are shortsighted to say the least.”

In a controversial shake up of its entire schools network, Powys is planning to close three of its six primaries in the John Beddoes High School catchment area – Gladestry, Beguildy Church in Wales, and Whitton – while expanding Radnor Valley School in New Radnor.

It also plans to shut Llanigon, Rhosgoch, Ffynnongynyd, Glasbury Church in Wales and Talgarth and Bronllys primary schools in the Gwernyfed High School catchment area, while expanding Clyro Church School and building a brand new school in Hay-on-Wye by 2015.