Villagers fighting the closure of the smallest school in Rhondda Cynon Taf say it will have a devastating effect on the community. RCT Council is consulting on proposals to shut Rhigos Primary next summer, saying pupil numbers are falling.

The school, which has capacity for 65 pupils, currently has 51. If it is shut they would move to Hirwaun Primary, around three miles away - both schools are rated “good” by inspectors.

Campaigners fighting the closure are holding a protest in Aberdare town centre on November 18. John Morris, from the campaign group set up to fight the closure, said the school is the heart of the village and losing it would be a “disaster” for the community. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter

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Mr Morris, 71, attended Rhigos Primary himself, sent his two children there and his wife works there as a teaching assistant. “The school genuinely is the heart of the village and is always involved in village activities. It will be a disaster if the village loses the school,” he said.

“The school has been here for more than 100 years and is part of the community. Young families with children won’t move into the village if it shuts. The repercussions of not having the school will be that gradually people won’t move into the village and people will move away.

“The village will just get older without a school. It really is the beating heart out of our village.” The action committee set up to fight the closure is holding a protest at midday on November 18 in Aberdare town centre.

A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “The Council recognises that Rhigos Primary School is a valuable part of the local community and has served the children and young people of the area for many years. However, as a Local Education Authority we have statutory responsibility to review surplus places and we are obligated to look at and undertake consultation on viable options for the future.

“It is the Council’s duty to ensure that all our learners in Rhondda Cynon Taf have access to the best facilities possible and the school in Hirwaun is a brand new, modern school offering excellent facilities.

“A consultation is currently ongoing in relation to the school under arrangements outlined in School Organisation Code. The decision to carry out this initial consultation is based on declining numbers, which is 51 statutory aged pupils, six of whom live outside of the catchment area. The school building has also reached the end of its design life and is in need of substantial investment.”