BATTLE PLANS READY TO STOP SCHOOL CLOSURE

Jason Evans - 17 June 2005

Determined parents and governors fighting to save their school have vowed not to let it close. They say proposals to axe their school don't make sense and have finalised their battle plans for taking on Swansea Council.

Governors from Dylan Thomas Community School have drafted a detailed rejection of the controversial schools' reorganisation plan which will see the school shut by 2007. They will present their opposition to the closure at a consultation meeting next week.

Education officers from the council are due to visit the school on Monday, when they will meet children, parents, teachers and governors.

Chairman of the governors Dereck Roberts said: "The mood at the meeting was determined."As part of a city-wide educational reorganisation, the council wants to close Dylan Thomas school and send its 500-plus pupils to Bishop Gore school in Sketty.

The site could then be sold off for an estimated £8.7 million which council leaders say will be ploughed back into education in the city.

The decision to press ahead with the closure was taken at a council cabinet meeting last week.

However, once the governors' opposition has been formally received and the consultation period completed, the final decision on the closure will rest with the Assembly.

The Assembly has the power to over-turn the council's decision.

Mr Roberts said: "We think we have got a very strong argument against the closure. We have reviewed the council plans and to us they make no sense."