THE admission capacity at a Torfaen secondary school will be cut by 150 places as part of a £30million investment project in re-designing the school.

Croesyceiliog School currently has a capacity of 1,350 students, but will lower that figure to 1,200 from September next year,

Torfaen’s cabinet has approved plans for the regulated alteration of the pupil number, as the school buildings prepare to undergo a renovation.

“As part of the process of securing funding for the rebuild of Croesyceiliog School, we are clearly required to look at what the needs of that school currently are,” said Dermot McChrystal, the head of education services.

“So as part of that analysis, it was very clear that a capacity of 1,200 would be more than sufficient to meet the future demand in the area.

“Albeit the building would initially need to cope with more while those changes take effect, reducing the school’s capacity from September 2018 therefore, if this is agreed, won’t affect the current learners.”

At present, the school has a nine form entry, with a maximum of 274 students entering the Croesyceiliog at the start of each term.

In September 2018, this will change to 240 students across an eight form entry model.

Mr McChrystal added that the reason behind the drop in pupil size will protect the council’s surplus places quota and the budget for the new school.

“If we don’t reduce numbers, going forward, then that would put that requirement to remove surplus places at risk,” he added.

“It would also impact on the available budget for the new school build, which we are now in the middle of designing.”

David Yeowell, the executive member for education and performance improvement commended the plans for the school.

“It is part of the whole process that has been entrained for some time that all members have agreed with in terms of the 21st Century Schools Programme,” said Cllr Yeowell.

“This slots into that particular format properly and clearly.”

The leader of the council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, added that the true outcome of the cabinet’s decision would be seen in a number of years, once the school is completed.

“It could seem very dry and academic, but it is part of a £30million investment in a brand new school building for a large number of learners in our borough,” said the leader.

“I welcome the recognition that this is something that needs to be phased in over time as opposed to done in one go but I think this is a positive pathway for that school and something that we’ll look back on with a newly built school in several years’ time and feel that we’ve done the right thing.”