BLAST AT PARENTS' APATHY TOWARDS SCHOOLS SHAKE-UP

Jason Evans - 23 June 2005

Parents of pupils at Bishop Gore School have been slammed for their apathy over the proposed shake-up of Swansea schools. Only a few dozen parents attended last night's consultation meeting about plans to close Dylan Thomas school and send its pupils to Bishop Gore.

The poor turnout contrasted sharply with the scenes at threatened Dylan Thomas school on Monday night, when more than 300 angry parents challenged the council's proposals.

One parent who did attend last night's meeting, but who did not want to give his name, said he was appalled at the attitude of his fellow parents.

"I can't believe that so few bothered to turn up," he said.

"Perhaps they think that because it's not their school that is threatened with closure they shouldn't be concerned

"But the council's school reorganisation plan will have a major impact on Bishop Gore.

"There are issues like transport and congestion, increasing the accommodation on the site, the problems of combining two very different school and integrating the disabled kids from Dylan Thomas.

"All these things affect the kids at Bishop Gore.

"Those parents who did attend the meeting heard an outline of the council's plans to close Dylan Thomas school in Cockett in September 2007 and send its 500-plus pupils to the Sketty school.

The empty site would then be sold off and the money reinvested in education in the city.

Parents have until July 13 to submit their views on the plans to the council.

The final decision on the proposals will be taken by the cabinet on August 11.