Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Reorganisation of Schools in Rural Wales

Response from Bethan Evans

19th June 2008
Dear Ms Claire Morris,

I teach at a small rural school in North Wales (31 pupils). I would like to present our case on why our school should remain open.

We offer as many experiences to pupils are large schools eg. we have a compost business, fruit shop, Urdd Club, running club, gold award Green Schools, part of Healthy schools scheme.....
Due to small number in my class (21), all pupils get a lot of attention and help.
Children with Special educational needs do well as they get more help
Children are with me for 4 years, I know exactly what their needs are in order to plan for the next year
New children who arrive from larger schools are as a rule falling behind children in our school (of the same ability)
According to statistics collated by N.A.S.S, rural schools cost less to Local governements in the long run as people who do not work, break the lawm etc are more likely to come from more urban areas
Our village (Fron) has no shop,Chapel, Pub, community centre- the school is the lifeline of the village. Parents meet there for a chat.
All village activites are organised in school building eg Mountain race finishes in school, community council meetings, Community group, Bingo, Car Boot Sales, Christmas and Thanksgiving services, polling station, youth activities, lunches for pensioners.
Without a school young families will not move to the Fron as there are no amenities there, old people are not moving there either as accessibility to ameneties are so poor.
Urban areas have facilities and ameneties eg Lesiure centres, libraries close by. Rural children have the right for more money per head to be spent on their school as their villages lack in facilities.
All newcomers to the Fron are English speaking, due to their children learning Welsh in school most parebts have gone to lessons. Welsh is thriving in our rural village!
Ysgol Bronyfoel pupils have lessons about their village, if our school were to close, rural life history and customs will not be taught to generations to come
We had an exellent ESTYN inspection Jan 2008, it stated the school was 'value for money'

These are some of the most important points about importance of keeping our rural school open in the Fron.

Thank you,

Bethan Evans