BIG SCHOOLS ARE FOLLY

30 June 2005

Following the recent letters by Swansea AMs Andrew Davies (Have Your Say, June 17) and Val Lloyd (Have Your Say, June 24) regarding the proposed closure of Dylan Thomas Community School, I am prompted to add my own comments. As a former teacher at Dillwyn Llewelyn Community School (now Dylan Thomas), I was impressed by the sympathetic, insightful and entirely rational assessment of the situation made by Mr Davies and the compelling arguments he makes on behalf of the school.

I became head of art/head of year at Dillwyn Llewelyn when the school opened in 1981, having taught at Townhill Secondary Modern Boys' School (1965 to 1971) and Townhill Junior Comprehensive School from 1971 to 1981 when the school moved to the new site in Cockett.

The emphasis there was on the community use of the new buildings, both in educational terms and in leisure activities. My experience in all three schools convinced me of the value of the community aspect of secondary education.

From the outset, the school was served by a totally dedicated teaching staff and I know, through my continued contact with the school, that the commitment of staff pertains to the present time, despite the change of name.

Regrettably, during the Thatcher years, Swansea Council was obliged to go along with the introduction of freedom of choice for parents in selecting schools for their children. This move incensed me and many of my colleagues.

The consequence was that some schools became, in the public perception, "desirable" while others were falsely consigned to the ranks of "sink schools", that is schools unworthy of consideration by many parents. Thus a spurious league system was established, setting some schools on pedestals and others on the scrapheap.

Had the then council placed more emphasis on improving all schools, we would not now be witnessing the undignified scramble to get children into the so-called "best" schools.

In the latest inspection carried out at Dylan Thomas, the school was praised overall for improvements made since the previous inspection.

The school roll is not falling as is the case with other city schools.

The parents and pupils of the area wish to keep the school open.When it first opened, it was designated an acceptable environment for pupils with all forms of disability, and this is still the case. So why consider closing the school?

It seems obvious that the prospect of cashing in on a windfall of £9 million or so on property development in the Cockett Valley has blinded councillors to their stated priorities, that is, putting pupils first, improving school buildings and maintaining a flourishing school in each community.

Since when are the communities of Mayhill/Townhill/Cockett served by the community of Sketty, where Bishop Gore is situated.

The closure of Dylan Thomas school would do a great disservice to the families of that community and, in my opinion, should be reconsidered.

Bishop Gore school is big enough already; to enlarge it further would be folly.

Bigger is not necessarily better.

Alan Figg, Brodorion Drive, Cwmrhydyceirw, Swansea