THE mum of a Welsh-speaking boy initially denied a place at a school in Powys, close to Oswestry, says the decision has been reversed.

Last week Lowri Roberts – owner of Siop Cwlwm in Bailey Street – said she would be appealing Powys County Council’s decision not to give her son Ynyr a place at Ysgol Gynradd Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochant in September.

The four-year-old attends pre-school there but faced being sent to an English language school, despite being a Welsh speaker, as Llanrhaeadr was over-subscribed.

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However, he will now start at the Welsh medium school, alongside his pre-school pals, in September, much to Lowri’s delight.

He said: “We had a phone call on Thursday afternoon but we wanted to wait until we had the official email on Friday morning before we told anyone.

“It’s a huge relief. I’ve been quite emotional about the situation and it wasn’t until it’s all been sorted that I realised just how worried I have been about it.

“I was worried because Ynyr’s sister goes to the school and the children who go to the pre-school with him are all the friends he knows.

“He has been aware that’s been in the paper and we took him to Marks and Spencer to buy a copy and he could see his picture on the front.

“But I haven’t been able to explain what’s been happening to him in a way that he understands.”

Lowri added that his sister, who attends the school, was left upset by the decision after the family chose to tell her, but the shop owner believes making it public has helped her and others in the future.

She said: “His sister has been able to though because she’s six and can read basic English and she was very upset and angry for him.

“She’s been a big sister to him – we tried to protect her from it but we knew she would see his face on the paper so we did explain it to her in an age-appropriate way.

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“When we bought the paper and were walking around town, we think a few people recognised him.

“But all the publicity has helped because Powys County Council has changed its mind and backed down.

“Hopefully now, it will open the door for other families wanting to go to Welsh medium schools.”