SCHOOLS PROTEST: STILL NO ANSWERS

Sian David - 30 June 2005

Protesters fighting plans to axe a Swansea school are demanding answers from the local authority. Parents, teachers and governors of under-threat Dylan Thomas Community School in Cockett say questions put to councillors at a consultation meeting last week remain unanswered.

They say that although council officers told them their questions were recorded, they still haven't received any answers.

Now they are demanding that the council respond to their questions before the consultation period is up.Parent-governor Robin Lowe said today: "We want to know how our questions will be answered.

"We were told so many times at that meeting that our questions had been noted and would be answered.

"But it has been more than a week and we have heard nothing. They are being cowardly about it."

Councillors have been visiting Swansea schools over the past few weeks to discuss the proposed LEA reorganisation with parents, teachers, governors and pupils.

The proposals could see several schools closed across the city.

The council is proposing to axe Dylan Thomas school within two years and send its 500-plus pupils to Bishop Gore school in Sketty.

The site could then be sold off, with the proceeds - thought to be more than £8 million - being reinvested in education in Swansea.

It is part of the biggest shake-up to hit city schools in years.A spokesman for Swansea Council said today: "The purpose of the consultation meetings is to listen to and record people's views.

"Every effort is made to answer those questions that we can at the time. The responses to the questions are also recorded.

"The results of the meetings will be reported to cabinet in August, when a decision on the future of Swansea's schools will be taken.