Anglesey faces challenges with falling birth rates and young people moving away, prompting a review of education options on the island
Anglesey: The island is seeing a big drop in birth rates. This has led to concerns about the future of schools here. Many young people are leaving, and older folks are moving in.
Anglesey Council is now looking at how to change post-16 education. They might even close some schools or combine them under one provider. It’s a big deal for the community.
In the last seven years, births have dropped by over a third. Last year, there were only 565 births. This decline is already affecting school numbers, and the council expects more changes by 2033.
Meanwhile, the island’s population is getting older. The average age has gone up from 45 to 48. More people over 65 are moving here, which is changing the community’s makeup.
Young people, especially men, are leaving Anglesey. Women tend to leave in their twenties, while men often go until their mid-40s. The council is struggling to bring them back due to job and housing issues.
At the same time, older adults are relocating to Anglesey, often looking for a quieter life. This trend could turn the island into a retirement haven, which brings its own challenges.
Over the next decade, the number of residents over 85 could jump by 70%. While this might boost spending, it raises concerns about housing and social care needs.
With fewer students, some courses have very low enrollment. In some years, a fifth of courses have fewer than six students. This means many students have to travel to other schools for classes.
Smaller schools are feeling the pinch more than larger ones. The council is now consulting on four options for the future of education on the island.
They want to ensure that all students have fair opportunities. The goal is to adapt to the changing needs of the community while providing quality education.
Interestingly, student numbers at some schools are expected to rise in the next five years. But the long-term outlook is concerning, with predictions of a 20% drop in students by 2035.
The council is gathering feedback from everyone involved, including parents and students. They want to hear what the community thinks about these changes.
It’s a crucial time for Anglesey, and everyone’s input is important. The consultation ends soon, so it’s a good idea to get involved.
