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The village attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and has been named the best in the UK. But like many rural communities, Betws-y-Coed is struggling to hold on to young families. With limited well paid employment opportunities and a high number of holiday homes pushing up house prices it can be hard for families to stay. The resident population has fallen from 614 in 1991 to 477 in the last census. Around one in five properties in the village is now a holiday let or second home. This is now reflected in its school. Built for 100 children it now only has 14 registered pupils after a steady decline in recent years. It means the cost per pupil is £20,856, compared to the current average cost per pupil in the county of £5,148. Now Conwy council is set to ask members to consider starting a consultation on closing Ysgol Betws-y-Coed, which is part of the Capel Coed Elan Federation, a collaboration with Ysgol Capel Garmon, and Ysgol Dolwyddelan. In the event of closure pupils would be expected to transfer to nearby schools like Bro Gwydir in Llanrwst or nearby Capel Garmon. Councillors will also be asked to consider the same for nearby Ysgol Ysbyty Ifan, where there are also 14 pupils, in a school with capacity for 40. The cost per pupil is £15,637. Those pupils would also transfer to other schools, with the nearest in Pentrefoelas, three miles away. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox If given the green light, the consultations are expected to start in the next month or so, and responses will be presented to councillors for consideration next year. Cllr Aaron Wynne, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This consultation is a necessary step to ensure that the views of the school community are sought. It will ensure that there is a transparent process by which communities can share their views.” Cllr Dilwyn Roberts said: "As a Local Authority, we have a statutory responsibility for strategic school planning. But beyond the legal duty, we understand the deep emotional and cultural significance that schools hold for our communities—particularly in areas where the Welsh language and identity are central to everyday life. "We know these are not easy conversations. The decisions we face are complex, shaped by many factors including changing demographics, sustainability challenges, and the need to ensure safe, inclusive, and a highquality learning environment for all our children and young people. "I welcome the start of this consultation as a chance to listen — to hear directly from families, staff, governors, and the wider community. Your voices matter. This is about working together to find the best way forward, one that respects our shared values and supports the future of education in our area." The report on the schools is due to go before the education scrutiny committee on Tuesday November 4 and the cabinet on Tuesday November 11. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
