Britain's smallest school closes after 144 years as last two remaining pupils say goodbye to staff

By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 16:31, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 16:31, 17 July 2026 Britain's smallest school closed after 144 years today, as its last two pupils said goodbye to staff. Ysgol Y Garreg village school in Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, north Wales, has become the latest to close its doors because of a declining school roll. Parents have been left 'gutted' by the decision, after previously telling the Daily Mail how their children were receiving 'the best education they'd ever had'. The average cost to educate each pupil was £21,471 - triple the county average of £5,998 - after its student numbers fell by 90 per cent from 17 just one year ago. Sharon Morgan, 50, whose son was one of the remaining pupils, said: 'I'm gutted. There are so many children in this village who could be going there to save it.' The mother of one of two Year 6 students told the Daily Mail last month she was 'disgusted' by the decision to shut the school.  'Half of the council staff don't even work in the office. Why don't they sell their big HQs? They have an empty car park in Caernarfon which is a waste of money,' she said. 'My son has learned more in the last year than he's ever done in his life. He's having the best education. The school has been brilliant. Ysgol Y Garreg village school in Llanfrothen, Gwynedd, north Wales, has become the latest to close its doors because of a declining school roll Sharon Morgan, 50, whose son was one of the remaining pupils, said of the closure: 'I'm gutted. There are so many children in this village who could be going there to save it' This week the rural community, which has a population of about 400, rallied for a celebration evening to mark the closure, attended by former pupils and staff 'I wanted a better future for my children, that's why I came here. The closure will damage the village. We should support where we live.' This week the rural community, which has a population of about 400, rallied for a celebration evening to mark the closure, attended by former pupils and staff. Ms Morgan said: 'It was really emotional. I was so proud, my son turned the lights off walking out of the door. That was very emotional. 'It's terrible. What is that building going to become now? I told the council I'm willing to open an after-school club to try and save the school. It's a shame, I tried my best. 'It shouldn't be just about money. The council should try to encourage people to support where they live. We are losing the community, in a small school we get to know every parent and child.' Reasons given for the sharp decline in pupils at Ysgol Y Garreg included a lack of wraparound childcare such as before and after-school clubs, making it difficult for working parents to send their children there. The Snowdonia village has also recently lost its post office, but the community has rallied to save the pub. Former teacher Hedda Moore, 70, who lives in the village, said: 'The problem is pupil numbers, and I don't know how you get around that conundrum. It's very sad, I was a teacher myself years ago.' An exhibition showcasing the school's history has been on display in one of the classrooms Emlyn Roberts, 61, had three children who all attended the school when it was more popular Some of the oldest school records available have also been on display in the school's final weeks And a former governor at Ysgol Y Garreg said: 'It's very sad but you can't run a school on two children. There should be a school.  'It makes such a difference when they shut in villages because families don't want to come. We have already lost our post office.' Emlyn Roberts, 61, said: 'I have three children who attended the school. It was an excellent school, probably one of the best in the area. It's a sad day. 'You can't keep something going if nobody is attending. This community is getting smaller and smaller, young people moving out. It's another nail in the coffin of a rural community. 'It's going to be sad passing in the morning and afternoon and seeing no-one outside, no parents gathering there. My children got a brilliant education and are in good jobs now. 'There were 106 pupils when it opened in 1882. There were dozens when my kids were there.' Young families moving away was highlighted as one of the factors behind declining numbers - the county saw 1,500 fewer children under 16 recorded in the 2021 census compared to 2011. Ken Smith, who lives next door to the school, said: 'It's inevitable, I suppose. I will miss the laughter and noise. They were always good kids in the school. It's a sad day for the village.' Acting head Nia Elen Walker spoke from a classroom with an exhibition of the school's history. She said of the farewell celebration :'It was so nice to have former pupils here from their 20s to their 90s. More than 50 walked through the door.' Included in the exhibition was mention of 1915 pupil Robert Hughes, who was noted for attending school for eight years 'without a break'. The head said before the school closed for the last time to pupils :'It's going to be quite emotional. I fell in love with the school and community. I will miss this area. It will hit me most towards the end of the summer.' Both pupils, aged 11, are moving on to secondary school, leaving it with a pupil roll of zero.  Ysgol Cefn Coch, which has around 40 pupils, is just two miles away and will now become the designated alternative school for the village.  Following a council report, councillors earlier this year recognised that the 'seriousness of the situation meant the school simply could not go on'. The report said the remaining pupils 'expressed their sadness that the school would be closing' and that one of the remaining pupils had invited the Head of Education to the school, so that he could speak to them. At its last inspection, the school was described by Welsh regulator Estyn as 'a homely and inclusive school that promotes pupils’ Welshness and well-being effectively'. Cabinet members in Cyngor Gwynedd, north Wales, voted unanimously to close the school on August 31. Dewi Jones, cabinet member for education, said: 'Nobody goes into education in order to close schools. 'Our ambition is to see schools thriving, children succeeding and communities staying strong.' Mr Jones said closing the school had been incredibly 'difficult' and paid tribute to the staff, governors, and parents for serving the community for more than half a century. 'The demographic challenges facing some of our rural communities are real,' he said. 'However painful it is to acknowledge that, we cannot ignore the facts before us, and in the specific position of Ysgol Y Garreg, it is impossible to ignore the seriousness of the situation. 'This is not a decision the cabinet wants to make, but it's a decision that certain circumstances have led us to.'