Plans to shut city school dropped

29 November 2005 - BBC Wales website

Children were pleased to hear their school would remain openCampaigners in Swansea have won their fight to save a city secondary school from closure.

A report due before councillors next month will recommend that plans to close Dylan Thomas Community School and merge it with Bishop Gore are dropped.

It follows a long campaign by supporters of the school in Cockett.

A council spokesman confirmed that parents and governors had been told of the decision on Tuesday and a statement would be issued on Wednesday.

He said the decision to scrap plans had followed deep concerns expressed about the viability of the merger and the costs involved in making Bishop Gore, in Sketty, accessible for children with disabilities.

The chairman of governors at Dylan Thomas had previously accused Swansea council of social bias, saying the school was a "soft target" for closure.

Falling pupil numbers were blamed but parents believed it was chosen because it serves a more deprived area.

The council rejected this argument and said its decision would be made on educational grounds only.

Deputy headteacher Beth Hale was pleased with the decision to keep the school open.

"It was never a failing school and we have proved it," she said.

"We are going from strength to strength and it is onwards and upwards from now on."

The school in Cockett has around 1,500 in its catchment area but only attracts around 550 pupils.

Many of them are from the Townhill housing estate, one of Wales' most deprived areas, and around half of them have special educational needs.

Bishop Gore Comprehensive, in the more affluent Sketty area and next to Singleton Park, also has falling pupil numbers but was not earmarked for closure.

A report by the Welsh schools inspection body, Estyn, earlier this year said Dylan Thomas secondary was improving rapidly and progress was evident despite significant challenges.