AN Amman Valley primary school is at risk of closure after councillors voted to consider shutting its doors permanently during a meeting of the local authority.

If proposals go ahead, the 51 pupils who currently attend Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwmgors will be transferred to neighbouring Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaun-cae-Gurwen by September 1, 2015.

Since the retirement of the school’s previous head in April 2013, the school has been managed under a joint agreement with Ysgol Gwaun-cae-Gurwen.

During a cabinet meeting of Neath Port Talbot County Council, Gwaun-cae-Gurwen councillor Linda Williams urged members to save the school by opting to keep both schools open under one leadership, an arrangement which, she said, has been working successfully for the past 18 months.

“We have a strong teaching team and joint staff meetings,” said Cllr Williams.

“This has had an excellent outcome on the federated school.

“The children would benefit from a small school environment.”

She said she would be urging fellow councillors to back the option of maintaining the current situation.

Figures show that since January 2009 pupil numbers at Ysgol Cwmgors had fallen by 17 per cent, with no indication that the number would increase in the future.

Cllr Peter Rees said: “We need to make sure every child in this authority gets the educational provisions they deserve.”

Director of Education for NPT Council Aled Evans said: “We have an obligation to make a compelling argument for change and to listen to the voices of stakeholders across the communities that we serve.

“This is not a budget-saving proposal.”

A meeting to discuss the future of the school was held last night.