UNDER-THREAT SCHOOL HAS BEEN NAMED A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

26 October 2005

Swansea's under-threat Dylan Thomas school has been awarded a top gong for its modern approach to teaching. The Cockett comprehensive, which looks set for closure in 2007, has become just the second school in Wales to be named a Promethean Centre of Excellence.

Its teachers were praised for their work in "integrating information communication technology in teaching and learning".

Most have now been given individual awards for excellence which helped gain the overall award from school inspectors.

School governor Dereck Roberts said only one other school in Wales currently held the title, and only three other schools in Wales had ever achieved it.

"Our staff development officer Lynette Johnson, together with English teacher Joan Garrard, was the first to achieve the level three certification and has encouraged all our staff to participate," he said.

"Now at least four other staff have level two certificates and most staff have achieved level one or above. This is a very good achievement."

Dylan Thomas Community School has been earmarked for closure under Swansea Council's school reorganisation plan.

But parents, staff and school governors have launched a fight to keep it open, saying Dylan Thomas is a successful school which plays a vital part in community life.

Mr Roberts, who is chairman of the board of governors, said: "We will receive a plaque for presentation and teaching staff will receive their awards later this year.

"The school's first interactive whiteboard came from a Welsh Assembly initiative, and they launched broadband in Swansea from the school.

"We will be asking for representatives from the Assembly to come to the school to make the presentations."