AS Gwynedd Council prepares to meet to decide the fate of the 10 pupils at Ysgol Abersoch next week, a parent governor has hit out saying that the community’s views have been ignored during the consultation period.

If the council’s recommendations are accepted, the school, will close at the end of 2021 with its pupils moving to neighbouring Ysgol Sarn Bach.

Governor Louise OverfieId told the Cambrian News: “I still feel like the community of Abersoch has not been listened to, we have issued thousands of objections, through letters, online and paper petitions.

“A village protest involved the children themselves but our voices have been ignored.

“The impact on the language assessment to the community does not seem to be worth the paper it is written on, it is merely a tick box exercise.

“The loss of the Welsh language in our community will have catastrophic effects.”

The school costs the authority £17,404 per head – over four times the county average of £4,198.

Just shy of its 100th birthday after opening in 1924, the school costs the authority £17,404 per head – over four times the county average of £4,198. But closure has been criticised by groups including Cymdeithas yr Iaith, which described Gwynedd’s approach as “blinkered”, and Abersoch is already suffering from a holiday home problem.

A recent consultation attracted over 200 responses as well as two separate petitions, each containing 1,115 and 1,884 signatures against shutting the school.

One respondent claimed leaving Abersoch without a primary school would result in it becoming “a holiday place for tourists for a few months a year and a ghost town for the remainder”. Another said “without the school Abersoch has no focal point, the very heart and soul will have disappeared”.

Eight full-time and two nursery pupils will attend Ysgol Sarn Bach from January if the closure goes ahead.

Cllr Cemlyn Williams said: “Making a decision on the future of any school is not easy and we fully appreciate this has been a difficult period for everyone.

“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to discussions on the future of Ysgol Abersoch, as well as those who have contributed to the consultation and statutory objection periods.

“It is always sad when the future of any school is under consideration. However, we have a duty to ensure we offer the best possible education and experiences along with the best possible learning environment.

“Having fully considered all objections, it is recommended to confirm the proposal to close Ysgol Abersoch at the end of 2021.

“There is naturally a desire to see the school continuing, and every effort will be made to ensure there will be a strong link between the community and Ysgol Sarn Bach.”

The school educates children up to the age of eight before transferring to Ysgol Sarn Bach, 1.4 miles away.

Abersoch councillor Dewi Wyn Roberts has consistently argued against closure, claiming it would result in the loss of a “historic resource” in the village.

“Recently I was listening to planning discuss the erection of 12 houses in the Penygroes area and local demand for this type of development for local people,” he added.

“One of the concerns raised was the capacity of local schools to accept more children that will increase with this development. It highlights the fact that resources within society are important within upcoming plans.

“This decision is completely opposite to the council’s ambition.

“The decision to close is unwise in the middle of the school year and moving children to another school does not make any sense and will have a negative impact on education. “If it will have to close then why not defer it until the end of the school year?”

A decision is expected when cabinet meets on Tuesday.