RDC(3) RRSWB6

Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Reorganisation of Schools in Rural Wales

Response from Eirwen E Thomas

June 27 2008
To: Welsh Assembly Government Rural Development Sub-Committee

I understand that the Rural Development sub Committee is currently calling for views regarding the re organisation of schools in rural Wales. I wish the Sub- Committee to fully consider the role and responsibilities our rural schools play within the overall context of 'One Wales and both the Rural Development Plan and the Wales Spatial Plan.

Rural schools are often seen as the foundation to social cohesion throughout the rural communities of Wales and a catalyst for sound educational and economical performance. Their removal will undoubtedly harm the Welsh Assembly Government's overall aim to make Wales a place where people want to live and work.

The Welsh Assembly Government has pushed the Social Justice agenda where citizens are encouraged to take control of their communities by rebuilding the social and cultural fabric of rural schools and wider rural services.

The demise of rural education will undoubtedly add to our carbon footprint with parents having to make extended journeys. Facilities within surviving schools will have to be upgraded by Local Authorities not bound by Assembly Carbon Zero policy thus endangering the Welsh Assembly Government priority for tackling climate change.

But rural schools are not performing?.
Children do better in large schools?.

My local school, Llanedi CP provided the foundation for the best individual student GCSE results in Wales ( Sara Richards) for 2007, has produced scholars like Professor Delme Bowen of Cardiff University, to name but two of the very many graduates, very successful business people, craftsmen, engineers,doctors, forensic scientist etc etc, and presented my three children with a fantastic base for a degree each, two higher degrees and head of a very successful department at a Welsh medium secondary school .

The list of achievements that pupils educated at this most successful and forward looking school is endless, not only academic but in wide ranging disciplines. Above all these, young people are given sound moral and social standards, together with the skills they need to become the very upstanding citizens that every community needs.

Yours sincerely

Eirwen. E Thomas.
Chair of The Board of Governors

Ysgol Llanedi School.