Powys proposes moving Ysgol Bro Epynt opening back to September 2028
Powys County Council is proposing a one-year delay to the opening of Ysgol Bro Epynt, the new Welsh-medium all-age school planned for Builth Wells. Cabinet is due to consider moving the opening from September 2027 to September 2028 at its meeting on Tuesday 20 October. The change has not yet been approved. The council’s announcement, published on 12 October, says further design work has identified difficulties around procurement and construction timescales.
At a glance
- Current planned opening
- September 2027
- Proposed revised opening
- September 2028
- Cabinet consideration
- 20 October 2026
- Initial year groups if approved
- Reception to Year 9
- Llandrindod replacement building
- September 2029 at earliest
What the proposal would mean for pupils
The school is intended to provide Welsh-medium education for children and young people aged four to 18. Under the revised timetable, it would initially open to pupils from Reception to Year 9 in September 2028. The all-age ambition should not be read as confirmation that every year group will start on opening day. If Cabinet approves the change, Builth Wells Primary School and Ysgol Calon Cymru would continue providing dual-stream education until August 2028. These are the arrangements described in the proposed timetable, rather than a decision already taken.
Why the council wants more time
The building work must prepare the Ysgol Calon Cymru site before primary and early-years pupils move onto it. The council says allowing another year would give enough time to complete the work safely. It reports that a temporary governing body has been established, the new school’s name agreed and headteacher recruitment begun. Curriculum planning and engagement with pupils, parents and the wider community would continue if the recommendation is approved. Procurement and construction work would also continue.
The Llandrindod Wells phase is separate
The council says the proposal would not change the second phase of the approved transformation plans: a replacement Ysgol Calon Cymru building in Llandrindod Wells remains planned for September 2029 at the earliest. Families should distinguish that separate building project from the proposed Builth Wells opening date. Cabinet’s 20 October decision is the next point to watch for confirmation of the revised timetable. The announcement does not publish an additional cost estimate for the proposed delay.
Background and supporting figures
Where this sits
The proposed move is a one-year delay requiring Cabinet approval, rather than an already-confirmed closure or cancellation.
The eventual four-to-18 offer and the initial Reception-to-Year-9 intake are different stages of the school plan.