London Welsh school’s future uncertain as first minister has doubts

Doubts have been raised by the first minister of Wales over the future of a Welsh-medium school which has been part-funded by ministers based in Cardiff.

There had been fears that the £90,000 grant the Welsh government gives the fee-paying Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain – the London Welsh School – every year would be scrapped next March.

On Tuesday, Eluned Morgan announced that funding has been secured for the whole of the next academic year, but she expressed concern over the number of pupils attending.

She said the school was on “very shaky ground”. Opposition members called for the Welsh government to do more to support the school.

Parents pay £4,300 a year for their children to attend the school in Hanwell, West London, and the city’s Welsh chapels also contribute financially.

The first minister said the Welsh government had given the school £1.1m over more than a decade.

Speaking in first minister’s questions, Morgan said: “Next year, there will only be 10 pupils, and, of course, we do have a responsibility as a government to ensure that we provide the best possible value for money in terms of public money.

“So, whilst we do, of course, appreciate the great efforts that they have made… I do think we have to be realistic, and the fact is, when you only have 10 pupils, you do have to ask questions on sustainability.”

Independent MS Rhys ab Owen said the school needs a “long-term” assurance.

“Following the challenging Covid years, the number of pupils is again increasing. Now is the time to invest,” he said.

“It holds a series of Welsh language and cultural events, such as a nursery, an Urdd aelwyd, folk dancing lessons, a choir, and they are ambassadors for us at important events in London.”

Tom Giffard, Welsh Conservative Welsh language spokesperson, said there is a “responsibility on the Welsh government to ensure that more children and parents choose Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain” in future.

“Our priority is pupils in Wales,” Morgan replied.

“That’s where we’re going to focus our efforts.”

Labour Cardiff North MS Julie Morgan said she was “very concerned” at the future of the school, which she said she was involved in previously as an MP.

“But, I am assured by the people running the school that they have planned numbers that will increase, and that they will be getting back up to the same numbers as they’ve had in the past,” she said.

Nothing “can really substitute having an actual school where children can learn Welsh in London”, she said.

Morgan replied that the cabinet secretary for the Welsh language, Mark Drakeford, met school officials on Monday and confirmed additional funding for the full 2025-26 academic year.

“I think there was recognition that you can’t stop people halfway through the term,” she said.

“But, I do think we have to be honest, the school is on very shaky ground from September.”