WELSH SCHOOL PLANS REVIEW

Leon Watson - 9 July 2005

Draft plans for a new five-year shake-up of Welsh language schooling in Swansea are now being considered. Swansea Council's latest Welsh education scheme report is being put together to set out the authority's strategy for boosting language learning in the city.

Key issues being discussed include ways to address the condition of school facilities and to cater for rising demand for places in the sector.

According to council estimates, over the next six years demand for Welsh school places in Swansea will rocket, with around 400 new pupils needing to be accommodated.

The new plan follows the council's report to cabinet last month which outlined the first steps in Swansea's big school shake-up for both English and Welsh schooling.

Under the plans, which will work alongside the Welsh education scheme, a permanent new home for Sketty's Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw has been found.

The Welsh primary, which has 70 pupils on its books, will move from its temporary site in the grounds of Bishop Gore to a new West Cross site in 2008.

Plans to open new Welsh medium primary and secondary schools offering provision to pupils up to age 19 will be considered at a later point.

An investigation into the need for places at Welsh schools in Morriston will also be undertaken by September this year.

Under Assembly rules, Swansea Council has until December 30 to get the plans finalised and approved by councillors and the Welsh Language Board.

Cabinet member for education Mike Day told the meeting: "We are not trying to set up a wall between English and Welsh education sectors.

"The reason for looking at this particular area is to try to get a handle on what specific provision is needed for Welsh language schooling."