BIG RESPONSE TO SCHOOL SHAKE-UP PROPOSALS

23 July 2005

Swansea Council says it has had a huge response to its consultation on the future of school organisation in the city. Cabinet is due to meet next month to discuss the future of proposals that, if agreed, would lead to the closure of Dylan Thomas Comprehensive School, Garnswllt Primary School and Bryn Nursery.

The controversial programme also includes proposals for the opening of a new specialist teaching facility at Pontarddulais Comprehensive School, relocation of a Welsh- medium primary school to West Cross and millions of pounds of investment at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School.

Officers are now sifting through the responses to a month-long consultation that involved teachers, governors, parents and pupils.

The responses included letters, depositions from various organisations and petitions.

They will all be read so that the views expressed in them can be taken into account in the report to cabinet.

Cabinet member for education Mike Day said: "I am very impressed by the amount of thought and effort people have put into participating in this process.

"It demonstrates how strongly people feel about the importance and the future of education in Swansea.

"What's important to everyone is that over the next 10 years we make sure that investment in education goes where it is needed - on pupils and on schools and not on empty desks and classrooms."

The proposed closure of Dylan Thomas and Garnswllt schools has already led to numerous protests, and the relocation of a Welsh-medium primary school to West Cross has also sparked opposition.

Councillor Day said: "Cabinet hasn't made any decisions yet on the school organisation programme and while we will be giving our view in August, that is not the end of the matter.

There will still be plenty of time next term for people who disagree with anything we decide next month to say so and be able to influence the outcome."