WORK to rescue a rural primary school from a struggle for resources has taken another step forward.

The land rights have been guaranteed for a new site for Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, an area school for primary school pupils in Clocaenog and surrounding villages, which has suffered from a major lack of resources resulting in children having to eat school meals in the classroom.

The new site in Clocaenog will become the single home for up to 95 pupils aged 3-11 at Carreg Emlyn's two sites in Clocaenog and Cyffylliog, which were separate primary schools Ysgol Clocaenog and Ysgol Cyffylliog before they merged in 2014.

At that time, Ysgol Clocaenog had been projected to become oversubscribed by 33 per cent and Ysgol Cyffylliog a 40 per cent surplus of places by 2018.

A damning report in 2016 revealed the merged sites were lacking crucial facilities, such as suitable halls for assemblies and adequate space for physical education, while school meals in Clocaenog were prepared at a nearby church hall and transported to the school to be eaten in the classroom.

It is hoped the new site, funded by Denbighshire County Council (DCC) and the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools and Education programme, will save the council £45,000 a year and provide the merged schools with modernised buildings and state-of-the-art facilities.

Kirsty Williams, cabinet secretary for education, said: “I am committed to raising standards, reducing the attainment gap and delivering an education system from the ground up that is a source of national pride and confidence.

“The 21st Century Schools and Education Programme is helping us to achieve this ambition and represents the largest investment in our schools and colleges since the 1960s.”

James Curran, programme manager for modernising education at DCC said: “This development will transform the educational lives of pupils in Clocaenog and its neighbouring villages. The footprint of Ysgol Clocaenog could fit within the school hall of the new school building, meaning pupils will have an area to gather for assembly, take part in P.E lessons and have their meals prepared on site.’’

The site merger follows in the footsteps of the Glasdir Estate primary school campus in Ruthin, where two primary schools relocated in April.

The mergers are becoming popular in rural areas where there is a lack of educational resources.

Karren Brady, chair of governors of Ysgol Carreg Emlyn, added: “Although the teaching staff do an outstanding job, activities that would be simple for a school on one site become complicated, such as meetings of the school council, school plays, assemblies and school photographs.

“Leaving the school site is not ideal and takes time. The new site will include a multi-use games area as well as outdoor classrooms and a space that community groups can use. Car parking will be adequate and a drop off area will improve safety onsite.”

“Schools are not just about pens and pencils and our school is at the heart of our community, ensuring that the Welsh culture and language is embedded into our children’s lives. We look forward to more space more teaching time, a teaching area fit for 21st century education."