tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-147234172011-04-21T21:53:09.850ZA compilation of news, views and comments that have appeared in the South Wales Evening Post over piecemeal plans to re-organise schools in Swansea.Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1144229540837926852006-04-05T11:00:00.000Z2006-04-05T09:32:21.073Z

South Wales Evening Post - 5 April 2006Hundreds of West Cross residents have signed a petition against proposals for a new school in the area. Swansea Council bosses want to open a new Welsh primary at West Cross Children's Home in West Cross Avenue.But people living near the site say a new school would create traffic chaos for residents.Last month they took to their cars during school pick-up

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1144230404236830062006-04-04T11:00:00.000Z2006-04-05T09:46:44.300Z

South Wales Evening Post - 4 April 2006Education bosses will begin talks with head teachers next month over the proposed shake-up of schools in Swansea. Council officers have been reviewing their plans after a controversial scheme to merge Bishop Gore and Dylan Thomas comprehensive schools was dropped.The authority wants to introduce a massive change to the school system as a way of dealing with

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1144229892828018922006-03-21T11:00:00.000Z2006-04-05T09:38:12.916Z

South Wales Evening Post - 21 March 2006Protesters fighting a new Welsh school in West Cross because of congestion fears took to the streets at rush-hour yesterday to drive their message home.They gathered at West Cross Avenue to show the affect a school would have on traffic in the area. Swansea Council wants to create a permanent site for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw, which is currently

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1140106027835495672006-02-16T11:01:00.000Z2006-02-16T16:07:07.923Z

16 February 2006 - BBC Wales WebsiteWelsh-medium primary school pupils in the west of Swansea who are currently taught in a old canteen block may have new classrooms within two years.Plans for a permanent home are to be submitted to the council next week.When Ysgol Gynradd Llwynderw opened in an old school canteen in Sketty the accommodation was to be temporary.The new school would be three miles

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1140105876173809772006-02-16T11:00:00.000Z2006-02-16T16:04:36.430Z

16 February 2006Controversial plans to build a new Welsh medium school in West Cross are finally being submitted to Swansea Council next week. Proposals to create a permanent site for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw have been plagued by criticism since first being put forward.The new school would take the place of the West Cross Children's Home in West Cross Avenue, which in turn is moving to a

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1138359637319986122006-01-27T11:00:00.000Z2006-01-27T11:00:37.546Z

27 January 2006Education chiefs in Swansea are to meet teachers and parents again to seek answers to the school reorganisation problem. It follows the surprise U-turn by Swansea Council in November when plans to merge Bishop Gore and Dylan Thomas comprehensive schools were dropped.Councillor Mike Day, the cabinet member for education, announced he was recommending abandoning the plans because of

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133455999433147862005-12-01T11:00:00.000Z2005-12-01T16:53:19.610Z

1 December 2005Ecstatic parents who defeated plans to close their children's school say the fight is far from over. Staff, parents and pupils are still in shock over Swansea Council's U-turn on plans to shut Dylan Thomas Community School and merge it with Bishop Gore.Education cabinet member Mike Day revealed yesterday that he is to recommend abandoning the plans because of concerns about

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133455528748539562005-11-30T11:01:00.000Z2005-12-01T16:48:17.376Z

30 November 2005Three Swansea councillors who yesterday voiced concerns about proposals to close Dylan Thomas School have been accused of cashing in on the shock U-turn. Lib Dem councillors Rene Kinzett, Peter May and Keith Morgan broke ranks and called for a rethink over the plans - a day before such a move was announced.Labour group leader David Phillips said: "These three appear to have got

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133455212350267322005-11-30T11:00:00.000Z2005-12-01T16:47:31.926Z

30 November 2005Parent power has won a major victory after Swansea Council binned plans to close a school. Swansea Council is expected to abandon plans to shut Dylan Thomas Community School and merge it with Bishop Gore school.The proposals had met with determined opposition from staff and parents at both schools.But education cabinet member Mike Day has revealed to the Post that he is to

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133455403425083422005-11-30T10:59:00.000Z2005-12-01T16:43:23.543Z

30 November 2005Pupils, parents and staff at Bishop Gore and Dylan Thomas schools deserve apologies after their U-turn "hell" over merger plans. That is the view of Labour councillors responding to news of the surprise decision to drop plans to close Dylan Thomas and transfer its pupils to Bishop Gore.Labour leader David Phillips said he was delighted by the news and described the U-turn as a

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133723511946889502005-11-29T11:00:00.000Z2005-12-04T19:11:52.056Z

29 November 2005 - BBC Wales websiteChildren 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

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1132071508610980342005-11-15T11:00:00.001Z2005-11-15T16:18:28.613Z

15 November 2005More than 500 angry parents have sent a clear message to Swansea Council chiefs - save our schools. They are upset at the proposal to close Dylan Thomas Community School in Cockett and the eventual proposed transfer of its pupils to the Bishop Gore site in Sketty.A protest petition carrying 522 names was handed over to education chiefs at County Hall yesterday urging an immediate

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1132071282749726072005-11-15T11:00:00.000Z2005-11-15T16:14:42.766Z

15 November 2005As parents of children at a Bishop Gore feeder school, we support 100 per cent the fight by parents from both schools against the closure of Dylan Thomas school and the transfer of its pupils to Bishop Gore (Post, November 9).In particular, the proposal for a two-year transitional period, during which both sites will be open, with year six and seven Bishop Gore pupils being taught

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1131533123790756882005-11-09T11:00:00.000Z2005-11-09T10:46:21.043Z

9 November 2005Parents from Bishop Gore school have joined forces with their Dylan Thomas counterparts in a bid to save the threatened school.Swansea Council leaders want to close Dylan Thomas Community School in Cockett and eventually transfer pupils to Bishop Gore. However, the closure and plan to create a £20 million super-school have been opposed by parents from both schools.They have now

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1131449183031031672005-11-08T11:00:00.000Z2005-11-08T11:26:23.050Z

8 November 2005Having attended the consultation meeting at Dylan Thomas Community School regarding the transition proposal, I was appalled to discover that the teachers had been informed on the day the announcement was made of the proposed closure that they would be made redundant on August 31, 2007, if the proposal went ahead. It is a disgrace that any council has the right to sack any teacher

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1131112222322431612005-11-04T23:00:00.000Z2005-11-04T13:50:22.336Z

4 November 2005Hundreds of people have signed a petition against a controversial plan to house three city primary schools in one West Cross street.Under Swansea's big schools shake-up, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw will be moved to a new site in West Cross Avenue in 2008. But residents branded the plan an accident waiting to happen and launched a petition against the proposal.Hundreds of

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1130926908141504822005-11-02T10:00:00.000Z2005-11-02T10:21:48.166Z

2 November 2005Having a keen interest in anything to do with Swansea, I have listened intently to the discussions from both sides regarding the closure of Dylan Thomas Community School. My understanding of the situation is that Swansea Council, under the pretext of reorganisation, intends to transfer children from Dylan Thomas school to Bishop Gore, the cost of which is expected to be in the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1130338249378637372005-10-26T23:00:00.000Z2005-10-26T14:50:49.390Z

26 October 2005Swansea'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".

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1130239902997135852005-10-25T11:00:00.000Z2005-10-25T11:31:43.006Z

25 October 2005Closure-threatened Dylan Thomas school has splashed out thousands of pounds on a new performing arts studio.The Cockett school is only the second in Swansea to offer children the chance to take a GCSE in performance arts. Lynne MacKay, head of music, said: "It will offer pupils the chance to look at all aspects of performing arts."The school is working with Swansea College and

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1130146627043384032005-10-24T11:00:00.000Z2005-10-24T09:37:07.053Z

24 October 2005Parents at Bishop Gore Comprehensive School are the latest to question Swansea Council's plans for school reorganisation in the city. The school has been earmarked for a £20 million refurbishment.Council leaders are pushing for the revamp so that Dylan Thomas School can be closed.If the plans are passed, pupils from Dylan Thomas will eventually be transferred to the Bishop Gore

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1129892652010138812005-10-21T11:00:00.000Z2005-10-21T11:04:12.010Z

21 October 2005Residents fighting proposals for a new Welsh medium school in Swansea are calling for opponents to make their voices heard. Swansea Council has put forward plans to build the new school in West Cross Avenue.It would be the new home for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw, which is currently based in temporary classrooms at Bishop Gore School.A two-month consultation period is now

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1129892571281670742005-10-20T11:00:00.000Z2005-10-21T11:05:14.300Z

20 October 2005Angry parents have walked out of a meeting with senior council officers in Swansea after being told of plans for their school. Parents at Dylan Thomas school left the meeting en masse as the council's senior education officer was summing up proposals for the school's future.Council leaders are proposing to close Dylan Thomas school and transfer pupils to Bishop Gore after a £20

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1129392452089478282005-10-15T16:07:00.000Z2005-10-15T16:10:28.523Z

15 October 2005 Parents at a Swansea school earmarked for closure have threatened to boycott a meeting on its future. Swansea Council has called the meeting with parents and staff at Dylan Thomas Community School to discuss the proposals for its closure.If the plans are given the go-ahead, council leaders will keep the school open for around five years while Bishop Gore school has a £20 million

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1128447256058670852005-10-04T23:00:00.000Z2005-10-04T17:34:16.060Z

4 October 2005Council leaders have hit back at claims they are not listening to parents over proposed school closures in Swansea.Parents from Dylan Thomas Community School reacted angrily to the council's announcement that a new round of consultations would not take into account views on closure. They say that the first consultation, which was held in June and July, was for a completely different

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1128446985679530622005-09-30T23:00:00.000Z2005-10-04T17:29:45.686Z

30 September 2005Angry parents have criticised council leaders after learning they will not listen to concerns over the closure of Dylan Thomas Community School.Parents and staff have been warned that any comments about closure during an upcoming consultation on the future of Dylan Thomas and Bishop Gore schools will be ignored. A council spokesman said that the consultation, which is due to

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1127554975357584832005-09-24T11:00:00.000Z2005-09-24T09:42:55.363Z

24 September 2005It seems Swansea's administration loves spending our taxes on independent investigators. Only recently we spent £35,000 on one regarding the surplus school places, after which the council totally ignored the advice and recommendations as can be seen in the proposal to close Dylan Thomas Community School.Sheila Lewis, Gwynfor Road, Cockett, Swansea

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1126613187538683332005-09-13T23:00:00.000Z2005-09-13T12:07:19.126Z

13 September 2005The proposed amalgamation of Bishop Gore and Dillwyn Llewelyn schools concerns me from the following aspect. When schools get too large and impersonal, pupils' pride in their school and respect for their teachers decreases alarmingly. Discipline suffers and tracing truants is more difficult. Quiet students and those with learning difficulties are completely

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1126511500455030392005-09-10T11:00:00.000Z2005-09-12T07:51:40.463Z

10 September 2005Parent power is likely to force a review of plans for a new Welsh school in the city. Swansea Council leaders have agreed to push forward plans to close Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw and build a new school in West Cross.However, local residents and parents at Grange Primary School and St David's Roman Catholic School are planning to officially object to the plans.That means the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1126183015650141522005-09-07T11:00:00.000Z2005-09-08T12:36:55.656Z

7 September 2005As a mum of three sons I know that education is vital from an early age - well it seems that my two-year-old son will be denied the opportunity of going to school at three-years-old. They are talking of closing our village school at Garnswllt, and the alternatives offered are over two miles away, too far for me to take and pick him up - the bus service is not regular enough, so

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1125928238212351892005-09-05T23:00:00.000Z2005-09-05T13:50:38.220Z

Swansea Council Website - 5 September 2005PROPOSALS by Swansea Council that will lead to a significant boost for Welsh medium education in the city are due to be published in a statutory notice today (Monday).Swansea Council Cabinet agreed last month to press ahead with a scheme that would lead to a brand new Welsh-medium primary school being built at West Cross.Now the public will have two

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1125741704968220232005-09-02T11:01:00.000Z2005-09-03T10:01:44.973Z

2 September 2005Questions have been raised over plans to spend £20 million on Bishop Gore school after it was labelled a major financial risk. The Post has seen minutes from a top-level directors' meeting which outline the funding fears.Deputy chief executive Bob Carter raised concerns over the progress of key parts of the council's plans.According to the minutes, Mr Carter said: "There are a

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1125742271878268692005-09-02T11:00:00.000Z2005-09-03T10:11:11.880Z

2 September 2005Council leader Chris Holley has joined the argument over Swansea's new £20 million super school. He says the row is putting children's education at risk.Councillor Holley is the latest member of the administration to attack Labour colleagues over their criticism of the plans for Bishop Gore school.The row erupted after Swansea cabinet members put forward a proposal to spend £20

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1125070236961866952005-08-26T23:00:00.001Z2005-08-26T15:30:36.963Z

26 August 2005 Plans to spend £20 million on a new super-school for Swansea could be illegal unless it is made clear where the money is coming from, it was claimed today. Labour councillors have threatened to launch a challenge to the scheme for a multi-million pound makeover of Bishop Gore school.They have questioned whether the authority can legally commit to spending such a large amount

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1125070105656113282005-08-26T23:00:00.000Z2005-08-26T15:28:25.663Z

26 August 2005 Staff and parents at a Swansea school earmarked for closure will get a chance to have their say on the proposals. The council cabinet agreed a five-week consultation period for plans to close Dylan Thomas school and create a new £20-million super school at Bishop Gore comprehensive. The plans are part of the cabinet's controversial proposals to revamp education in the county.

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124892099077634122005-08-24T11:00:00.001Z2005-08-24T14:03:32.896Z

BBC Wales Website – 24 August 2005A new Welsh-medium primary school is likely to be built in the west of Swansea - but the chosen site has angered some residents.Swansea council said the new school, in West Cross should be completed in 2008.The council's cabinet is due to vote on the proposal, which is part of the reorganisation of the city's education, on Thursday.Opponents of the new school at

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124880310436671332005-08-24T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-24T10:46:12.360Z

24 August 2005Parents demanding to know how the council will fund a proposed £20 million revamp of a Swansea comprehensive are still being left in the dark. Bishop Gore School could be given the multi-million pound facelift as part of a massive shake-up of the city's education system.There are concerns the expensive plans could mean cuts to other budgets.The authority insists it is confident the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124879978390648582005-08-23T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-24T10:39:38.396Z

23 August 2005Parents battling to save a Swansea school today questioned where the council will find the money to refurbish one of the city's largest comprehensives. Dylan Thomas Community School has been earmarked for closure, under controversial plans put forward by the council.Pupils would be sent to Bishop Gore instead with the authority promising to pour £20 million into revamping the De La

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124702994151252842005-08-22T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-22T09:29:54.163Z

22 August 2005Shaun Greaney looks at the latest development in the controversy over plans to close Dylan Thomas Community School.Campaigners fighting plans to axe a Swansea school have hit back at council plans to invest millions in another site. They say the announcement has not only moved the goalposts over the proposals but the whole pitch.Parents and governors opposing the plans say their

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124615791230816942005-08-21T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-21T09:16:31.230Z

20 August 2005As a former teacher, I am not in the least surprised to read that Swansea Council is backpedalling on its commitments on education funding. The promise made by education cabinet member Mike Day that money from the sale of school land would go back into education was greeted with scepticism at the time which has since turned out to be justified.I was particularly disappointed to see

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124615621386092722005-08-20T11:00:00.003Z2005-08-21T09:17:19.053Z

20 August 2005Swansea looks like getting a showpiece, state-of-the-art school fit for the 21st Century. The authority wants to completely refurbish Bishop Gore school and has promised a £20 million package to renovate the existing buildings and construct new facilities.But the scheme could also still see the eventual closure of Dylan Thomas School in Cockett with pupils being sent to the new-look

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124615382650884872005-08-20T11:00:00.002Z2005-08-21T09:09:42.650Z

20 August 2005A New Welsh-medium primary school could also be built in Swansea under the proposals unveiled today. The council plans to build a new school for Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llwynderw. Pupils are currently taught in temporary accommodation at Bishop Gore school.The school will be built on the site of West Cross House and is due to open in September 2008.Councillor Day said: "There is

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124615085541181582005-08-20T11:00:00.001Z2005-08-21T09:04:45.546Z

20 August 2005Mike Day, Swansea Council's cabinet member for education, explains the need for change, as the city's schools prepare for the future.The future of our children and their education is a priority for all of us. We all want our children to have every opportunity to achieve their potential. In order to do that, we have to ensure that our schools are modern, welcoming environments. We

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124614804351849822005-08-20T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-21T09:00:04.366Z

20 August 2005One of Swansea's largest comprehensive schools is in line for a massive £20 million makeover, it emerged today. The upgrade plan is a keystone to a big education shake-up underway in the city.It had always been intended it would get a new look as part of a controversial proposal to shut down Dylan Thomas Compre- hensive in Cockett and switch its pupils to Bishop Gore instead. But

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124128295068697152005-08-15T23:00:00.000Z2005-08-15T17:51:35.080Z

15 August 2005Parents have warned that the closure of a village school would rip the heart out of their community. Swansea Council is shutting Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garnswllt as part of a big education shake-up.The decision was made on council estimates showing there would be just seven pupils at the school in May.But actual figures for the September term have more than doubled, with around 15

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1124128845069796892005-08-15T11:00:00.000Z2005-08-15T18:00:45.070Z

15 August 2005The real reason that the Lib/Dem cabinet has rescheduled its meeting for the proposal to close Dylan Thomas Community School is probably not because it has to sift through the avalanche of objections, but because the written avalanche arrived weeks ago. What they are probably doing is trying to find excuses for their errors.Also, after the majority of Swansea people objected to this

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1123595454227440452005-08-05T22:00:00.000Z2005-08-09T13:50:54.243Z

5 August 2005 (Swansea Council Website)PLANS that will help shape the future of education in Swansea for a decade are to go to the council's Cabinet next week.The authority's school organisation programme is designed to support the delivery of top quality education for the pupils of Swansea over the next 10 years.And it aims to tackle the growing number of surplus places in the city's schools to

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1123234155695497302005-08-05T10:00:00.002Z2005-08-05T09:29:15.696Z

5 August 2005Protesters fighting Swansea's controversial education shake-up have claimed an important victory today in the fight to save two city schools. After being snowed under by an avalanche of objections, education bosses have announced a vital change in their timetable for closures.A decision on the future of under-threat Dylan Thomas School and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw has been put

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1123234006665365852005-08-05T10:00:00.001Z2005-08-05T09:26:46.666Z

5 August 2005Swansea Council's plans to axe Dylan Thomas School and revamp schooling in the city were first announced in the Post on May 19. Almost immediately parents, governors, teachers and even children launched a campaign to fight the closures.On June 9 the proposals put forward by the city's education department were rubber-stamped by cabinet.A statutory consultation period was launched by

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1123233843210719442005-08-05T10:00:00.000Z2005-08-05T09:24:03.213Z

05 August 2005I Was privileged to watch the end-of-year summer concert at Dylan Thomas Community School. The drama presentations were moving and of high quality. The songs were composed by the pupils using their new musical equipment suite, something no other school in Swansea has. The next year 10 and 11 will be able to use this new equipment for their applied GCSE (double award) in performing

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122892798888494442005-08-01T10:00:00.001Z2005-08-01T10:39:58.890Z

1 August 2005My son is starting Dylan Thomas school in September. If Dylan Thomas does close, my son won't be going to Bishop Gore. As we are in the catchment area for Dylan Thomas, I will be applying for home tutoring for my son and so will many other parents we have spoken to.V James, Mount Pleasant, Swansea

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122892555794706232005-08-01T10:00:00.000Z2005-08-01T10:35:55.800Z

1 August 2005A High-flying Swansea circus group fears it will be made homeless if plans to close Dylan Thomas School are approved Circus Eruption, based at the Cockett school, is an award-winning community group which holds 30 skills workshops a year for young people with special needs.But if Swansea Council's plans to axe their home are rubber-stamped, group leaders claim they will be left with

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122717209131415562005-07-30T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-30T09:53:29.136Z

30 July 2005In his suggestion of revisiting the Mayals Primary School option rather than using land in West Cross as the best alternative for Ysgol Gynradd Gyymraeg Llynderw, I feel John Jones (Post, July 27) is missing one fundamental point: that is the closure of Mayals primary would result in educational and social disruption. Although I am not endorsing the proposal, the site at West Cross

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122484655221441232005-07-27T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-27T17:17:35.226Z

27 July 2005You would think that Swansea head teacher Joe Blackburn would already have enough to do looking after one of the city's largest schools, Bishop Vaughan Comprehensive School in Morriston. But now the governors have agreed to allow him to also take over the headship of closure-threatened Dylan Thomas school in Cockett.Mr Blackburn is a capable head but how exactly is he expected to lead

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122463485920734672005-07-27T10:00:00.002Z2005-07-27T11:24:45.923Z

27 July 2005As a lifelong supporter of Welsh-medium education, I wish to add my own comments on the current debate on the siting of the new Welsh-medium school on the site of the West Cross House children's home. I obviously sympathise with the frustrations of those parents desperate for a Welsh school in the catchments of Swansea West. This has been too long in coming - a situation that

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122463184931765432005-07-27T10:00:00.001Z2005-07-27T11:19:44.930Z

27 July 2005The future of Dylan Thomas school was thrown into doubt when Swansea Council announced plans for a borough-wide shake-up in education. The controversial plans include proposals for 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

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122463087095579392005-07-27T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-27T11:18:07.103Z

27 July 2005Dylan Thomas School is to share a head teacher for the next school year, it has emerged. The appointment comes amid much speculation over the future of the school, which faces the axe in a city-wide controversial education shake-up.Governors at the school decided that the uncertainty over the school's future meant that they were unable to appoint a permanent new head teacher,

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122370529611263562005-07-26T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-26T09:35:29.616Z

26 July 2005Plans to house three city primaries in one West Cross street under Swansea's big schools shake-up have been branded an accident waiting to happen. Head teacher Colin Greenwood says children at his St David's RC School will be put at risk on the roads because of the massive intake of new pupils and traffic.It comes after child health expert, Professor Gareth Morgan, said pollution

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122283231157980472005-07-25T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-25T09:20:31.163Z

25 July 2005Staff and pupils at a closure-threatened Swansea school stepped out from the shadow over their future to end the term on a high note. All 550 pupils of Dylan Thomas Community School, Cockett, attended an end-of-term celebration assembly - in the hope there would be many more such occasions in years to come.Awards were presented, not just to achievers, but to those who had made every

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122155186576692102005-07-23T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T21:46:26.580Z

23 July 2005Since being on the campaign team to oppose the closure of Dylan Thomas Community School, I have become very politically minded. So much so I have been drawn to even tuning in to the BBC Parliament channel (sad life, this campaign has most definitely taken over) and watching all those wonderful people making very important decisions on our lives. Recently, I watched in disbelief as

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122155579334795692005-07-23T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T21:52:59.336Z

23 July 2005Swansea 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

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122042178898485512005-07-22T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:38:18.406Z

22 July 2005Correspondent Rob Lowe claims that proposals to close Dylan Thomas School are politically motivated (Have Your Say, July 15). It is unfortunate that Mr Lowe has felt the need to reduce the issue to this level after the determined, intelligent and well-organised campaign to retain the school by governors, pupils, teachers and parents has won such respect across the city.Whether you

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122042338934552502005-07-21T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:40:16.386Z

21 July 2005Education bosses in Swansea have blocked an attempt to try to get key information into the closure of Dylan Thomas School made public, it was revealed today. Chairman of the school's governing committee Dereck Roberts had lodged a Freedom of Information request with Swansea Council.Under the terms of the new Act he hoped to find out exactly why Dylan Thomas Community School in Cockett

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122042482129048052005-07-18T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:28:02.130Z

18 July 2005 A row has broken out between rival parties after a Labour leaflet criticised the current council's handling of school closures in Swansea. West Cross Labour councillors Des Thomas and Mark Child say in a party leaflet that Dylan Thomas Community School is being sold to raise money to reopen the city's leisure centre.The leaflet also says that Cockett School was chosen above Bishop

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122042677651332492005-07-16T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:34:03.280Z

BRIAN WALTERS - POLITICAL EDITOR - 16 July 2005Swansea's controversial schools shake-up is being used as a political football, according to one city Assembly member. Labour AM Andrew Davies has criticised Assembly colleagues for using the issue to score political points.It comes after praise for a Swansea school's approach to the special educational needs of some of its pupils.Leading an Assembly

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122103805751727002005-07-16T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:30:05.753Z

Liz Perkins - 16 June 2005Parents of youngsters at a primary school threatened with closure are considering whether to take their fight to the Assembly. Representatives from Welsh pressure group Cymdeithas yr Iaith joined mums and dads from Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Garnswllt to offer advice on how to save the school from closing.Placard-waving pupils also took part in the meeting at Garnswllt

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122042813397021062005-07-15T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:33:33.400Z

Peter Slee - 15 July 2005Swansea Council says it has finished its public consultation on plans to shake up the schools service in the city. Council officers and councillors have attended more than 30 meetings during the past two months to discuss proposals with parents, pupils and school staff.Feedback from the consultation will now be considered before proposals go to cabinet in August.The

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122103948201119492005-07-15T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:32:28.203Z

15 June 2005Governors from Swansea's under-threat Dylan Thomas School are meeting tonight to draw up their battle plans to keep it open. The angry board are due to put the final touches to a crucial document detailing their opposition to the controversial school reorganisation plans.It will be presented to Swansea Council after the draft is agreed as the school's complete argument to keep its

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122044007911849432005-07-14T17:00:00.002Z2005-07-22T14:53:27.916Z

Chris Peregrine - 14 July 2005The professor of paediatrics at Swansea's new medical school has said that plans to build a new Welsh primary school in West Cross are flawed. Gareth Morgan is adamant that there are compelling health and safety reasons why the contentious proposals should be abandoned.They are based on the current traffic levels in the area - and the extra movement which will

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122043661652525162005-07-14T17:00:00.001Z2005-07-22T14:47:41.653Z

14 July 2005Big-hearted pupils are putting the needs of their disabled classmates at the front of their fight to save their school. More than 1,000 pupils have signed a petition opposing plans to close Dylan Thomas Community School.The axe is set to fall on the Cockett-based facility followed by a merger with Bishop Gore because Swansea Council says its numbers are falling.But pupils say closing

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122043055539002512005-07-14T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:38:50.933Z

14 July 2005I believe that Swansea LEA's projected figures for falling numbers at Dylan Thomas school are currently flawed. It is claiming that there are 1,500 children within the catchment area who could attend the school. However, the school can only accommodate 652 pupils. This means that 848 pupils (1,500 minus 652) physically cannot attend Dylan Thomas and would have to go elsewhere. The

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122044183385291152005-07-13T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T14:56:23.386Z

13 July 2005Pupils at a closure-threatened Swansea school have handed in a petition of more than 1,000 names urging council bosses to have a rethink. The axe is set to fall on Dylan Thomas Community School with pupils transferring to Bishop Gore comprehensive in Sketty.Parents had handed in a protest on Monday.They were followed by the children yesterday, backed by local councillors Vanessa Webb

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122044427925325162005-07-12T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T15:00:27.926Z

Ben Evans - 12 July 2005Battling parents fighting to keep their children's school open have launched their own scathing attack on the proposals, claiming figures are flawed and fabricated. Members of Dylan Thomas's Parent Support Group yesterday handed over their objections to the plans, which could close the school, to senior education officers.The campaigners, who joined forces to oppose the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122051566847379372005-07-11T17:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:02:51.093Z

11 July 2005After enduring three hours and 10 minutes of utter tedium at a Swansea City Council meeting, I was denied a proper answer to my question: "Why has the cabinet decided that my constitutional right to ask my councillor to inquire about the reasons behind the proposed closure of Dylan Thomas School should not be respected?''I was told by the presiding officer that the closure "was not on

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052040716095872005-07-09T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:07:20.716Z

Leon Watson - 9 July 2005Draft 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

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052148051555682005-07-07T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:29:36.590Z

7 July 2005A Swansea west AM has questioned whether geography was a factor in the proposed closure of Dylan Thomas Community School. Alun Cairns, speaking on special educational needs at the Assembly, said: "I wonder if the same recommendation to close the Dylan Thomas school would be made if it was located in a more prosperous part of Swansea."A reorganisation of education in Swansea suggests

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052411420946152005-07-05T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:13:31.420Z

Jason Evans - 05 July 2005Almost 30 pages of reasons why parents, staff and governors believe Swansea's Dylan Thomas School should stay open have been handed to the council. It represents the Dylan Thomas campaigners' formal statement of opposition to the plans to axe the Cockett school.The 26-page document contains all the governors' arguments for why the school should be saved.And this formal

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052274147543162005-07-05T09:59:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:14:29.836Z

5 July 2005Key claims in the Dylan Thomas governors' report:The planned closure would do nothing to address the problem of surplus places in city schools;The council forecast for the number of children going to the school is incorrect;The valuation put on the land is a speculative figure;The issue of school transport has not been properly addressed;Dylan Thomas's buildings already comply with the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052602011416022005-07-04T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:16:42.013Z

04 July 2005Recently I attended a consultation meeting at Grange Primary School in West Cross, Swansea, to discuss proposals for the new Welsh school with cabinet member for education Mike Day and highways department representatives. I would like to congratulate Mike Day on turning a fiasco into absolute farce to which only the appearance of Sir Norman Wisdom could have added any sanity.Parents,

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052877882490242005-07-01T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:21:17.883Z

Jonathan Isaacs - columnist - 1 July 2005Swansea Council has sensibly decided to introduce a 20mph speed limit along De-La-Beche Road in Sketty - a busy, narrow stretch that serves Bishop Gore comprehensive, a Welsh-language primary school, a surgery, two parks and a church. Less understandable is why the authority is planning a major extension of Bishop Gore to replace Dylan Thomas school in

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122052736856215902005-07-01T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:18:56.856Z

Leon Watson - 4 July 2005Swansea's Bishop Gore School could end up more busy than the Quadrant bus station if plans to give it 500 more pupils go ahead, it was claimed today. Governors fighting the closure of Dylan Thomas School fear that a massive increase in buses pulling up outside the Sketty school will put children at risk.But Swansea Council has said buses will be catered for under planned

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122053812246907802005-06-30T22:00:00.001Z2005-07-22T17:36:52.246Z

Sian David - 30 June 2005Protesters 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

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122053276124969342005-06-30T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:27:56.126Z

30 June 2005Following the recent letters by Swansea AMs Andrew Davies (Have Your Say, June 17) and Val Lloyd (Have Your Say, June 24) regarding the proposed closure of Dylan Thomas Community School, I am prompted to add my own comments. As a former teacher at Dillwyn Llewelyn Community School (now Dylan Thomas), I was impressed by the sympathetic, insightful and entirely rational assessment of

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056035738519932005-06-29T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:13:55.740Z

29 June 2005At the meeting at Dylan Thomas school on Monday, June 20, the council representatives were there, so they said, to listen to the parents' concerns on the closure proposal. They constantly harped on about falling numbers and would not give ground when informed they were working on flawed figures - they just carried on as if we did not exist.This council and cabinet members for

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122053926166073302005-06-29T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T17:38:46.166Z

Jason Evans - 29 June 2005Controversial plans to build a new school in West Cross have been given an emphatic thumbs down by local residents. They say that the proposals to build a Welsh-medium school next to the existing Grange primary are unacceptable and have vowed to fight them.There was standing room only in the Grange school hall as almost 150 residents packed a public meeting to air their

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122055933486827642005-06-28T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:12:13.493Z

28 June 2005Last week I attended a meeting at Grange Primary School where councillors presented their plans to site the new 420-pupil Welsh-medium school on West Cross Lane. There was strong opposition to the proposal, and at no point did the councillors explain how road chaos would be avoided, or why it was acceptable to destroy a green area and encroach on the Grange site, reducing its capacity

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056272991013932005-06-27T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:17:52.993Z

Sian David - 27 June 2005Gower AA Edwina Hart is to meet Swansea residents to discuss plans to build a new school in West Cross, as part of the city's LEA reorganisation. A public meeting to discuss Swansea Council's proposal to site a Welsh medium school, Llwynderw Primary, next to Grange Primary School, West Cross, will be held tonight.Local councillors will also be present at the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056374752080812005-06-25T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:19:34.753Z

25 June 2005Parents of children at Grange School in West Cross, Swansea, are giving education chiefs the cold shoulder. Parents gave a frosty reception to council education committee chairman Mike Day at a meeting to discuss the siting of the new Llwynderw Welsh-medium school alongside.They attacked the move as "woefully inadequate, a waste of public money and ill-considered".Meanwhile, locals

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056581795295692005-06-24T10:00:00.001Z2005-07-22T18:23:01.796Z

24 June 2005I Would like to echo the sentiments of my colleague Andrew Davies AM who shares my concerns about the proposed closure of Dylan Thomas Community School. The closure will affect many children who live in my constituency of Swansea East and I am concerned that important questions remain unanswered by council leaders.I have written to the council as questions remain over the legitimacy

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056512124043032005-06-24T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:21:52.126Z

24 June 2005As a local resident, parent and taxpayer, I am writing to express my deep concern and outright objection to the proposed building of another school in West Cross.My concerns and objections are based on the following:1. The safety of my children and other children who currently use St David's and Grange schools.The volume of traffic currently encountered at the beginning and end of the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056822839307862005-06-23T22:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:27:02.840Z

Jason Evans - 23 June 2005Parents of pupils at Bishop Gore School have been slammed for their apathy over the proposed shake-up of Swansea schools. Only a few dozen parents attended last night's consultation meeting about plans to close Dylan Thomas school and send its pupils to Bishop Gore.The poor turnout contrasted sharply with the scenes at threatened Dylan Thomas school on Monday night, when

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122056907429670082005-06-22T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:28:27.430Z

22 June 2005Time is running out for parents and residents in and around West Cross. If something is not done soon, the City and County of Swansea will have their new 21st Century Welsh school, but no-one will be able to get there unless they arrive via Fairwood Airport and parachute in.If the proposal to locate this school in West Cross Lane is passed, there will be serious implications. Three

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122057045533577902005-06-21T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-22T18:30:45.536Z

Sian David - 21 June 2005Councillors will double check the figures which have partly prompted school closure proposal in Swansea to make sure they are right. The axe is set to fall on Dylan Thomas Community School in Cockett because Swansea Council says its pupil numbers are falling.But after strong protests from more than 300 angry parents at a consultation meeting at the school last night,

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1133723130841250982005-06-20T23:00:00.000Z2005-12-04T19:05:41.370Z

June 20 2005Robin Turner, Western MailLabour councillors on Swansea Council have had their formal challenge to plans to shut three schools in the city turned down.The opposition councillors wanted to 'call in' plans to close Dylan Thomas Community School, Garnswllt Welsh Medium Primary and Bryn Nursery in Townhill.Labour leader David Phillips said, 'Under council procedures for scrutinising

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122103293095100942005-06-20T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:21:33.100Z

18 June 2005I Would like to say that because of the plans to close my school, Dylan Thomas, my best friend's mother decided she would send my best friend to a different school so her GCSEs wouldn't get interrupted. When I found out, I was devastated!I'd like to ask Mike Day and Richard Parry, do they know the upset they have caused my friends, other pupils and teachers?I will never see my best

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122103688445697442005-06-17T10:00:00.001Z2005-07-23T07:28:08.446Z

Jason Evans - 17 June 2005Determined parents and governors fighting to save their school have vowed not to let it close. They say proposals to axe their school don't make sense and have finalised their battle plans for taking on Swansea Council.Governors from Dylan Thomas Community School have drafted a detailed rejection of the controversial schools' reorganisation plan which will see the school

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122103439221743922005-06-17T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:26:39.553Z

17 June 2005The announcement that Swansea's Dylan Thomas Community School and Bryn Nursery School are set to close has sent shock waves through the community.Swansea West Assembly Member ANDREW DAVIES explains why he thinks the schools should be retained and why he is critical of the way in which the announcement was made. He also advocates a new split-site school by merging Dylan Thomas and

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122104045655082802005-06-14T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:40:34.856Z

14 June 2005I Was put in a very difficult position 12 years ago when I was chairman of governors at Grange Primary School, West Cross. The school was urging the council to allow the building of an alternative entrance with a car park off West Cross Lane. I was then working for the Highways Department.As chairman of governors, I fully supported the proposal. It was the obvious way to reduce the

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122104181723253492005-06-13T10:00:00.000Z2005-07-23T07:39:53.906Z

13 June 2005The council says it has made its proposal to close Dylan Thomas Community School on purely educational grounds while in the same breath quoting market forces. In the open market there are always winners and losers and too often the most disadvantaged are the losers.Dylan Thomas is indeed a small school but it serves some of the most disadvantaged in our society. It gives a voice to

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122104915607136672005-06-10T10:00:00.003Z2005-07-23T07:48:35.606Z

10 June 2005I spent 18 months visiting schools in the Swansea area before deciding on the right secondary education for my 11-year-old son who has Asperger's syndrome (a form of autism). He does not cope well socially, but I wish in my heart that education director Richard Parry and his colleagues could see the difference Dylan Thomas school has made to his self-esteem and his ability to learn

Commentatorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10418521339035746569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14723417.post-1122104845758489322005-06-10T10:00:00.002Z2005-07-23T07:47:25.760Z

10 June 2005Every pupil in Swansea is set to benefit from the city's school re-organisation plan which will see an extra £39 million up for grabs, council cabinet education member Mike Day pledged today. He made the promise after the cabinet yesterday backed the first phase of its overhaul of schools in the city.If it eventually goes ahead, Dylan Thomas pupils will move to Bishop Gore School.

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