Flintshire Council asked to re-start school reorganisation consultations

Flintshire County Council’s Cabinet will be asked next week to approve new statutory consultations into two school reorganisation proposals.

The Council will be seeking views on the proposed closure of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, and the amalgamation of St David’s Catholic Primary School, St Mary's Catholic Primary School and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School to create a new all-through 3-18 Catholic school.

A separate consultation will seek views on the proposed amalgamation of Saltney Ferry Primary School and Saltney Wood Memorial School.

Previous consultation exercises were undertaken on the same proposals during 2025, but were brought to a halt in March 2026 following the receipt of a late legal challenge over the Catholic Schools proposals which could also have had implications for the Saltney schools’ consultation.

The Council sought legal advice in response, however the time required to properly consider that advice meant that the statutory timescales set out in the School Organisation Code 2018 could no longer be met.

Following review, the Council remains of the view that the original proposals should be brought forward for determination by Cabinet.

Since the original process was ceased, a new revised School Organisation Code 2026 has been published therefore a new consultation also ensures the process is compliant with the new Code, and that stakeholders have an up-to-date and fair opportunity to comment.

Both proposals aim to reduce the number of surplus places resulting from declining pupil numbers, with all schools concerned consistently under-subscribed.

The proposals also present opportunities to strengthen school leadership arrangements, improve the learning environment for pupils and maximise the financial investment available from Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.

Any proposals, should they be approved following completion of the required statutory processes, would be implemented by September 2027.

 Claire Homard, Chief Officer for Education and Youth, said:

“Restarting the consultation process will ensure that stakeholders and members of the public have a further opportunity to share their feedback before any decisions are made.

“It was the right decision to cease the original process while the legal challenge was fully considered. Having now reviewed the position, we remain confident that these proposals represent the right way forward.

“We would strongly encourage everyone with an interest to take part in the forthcoming consultations and make their views known.”