RDC(3) RRSWC7

Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into Reorganisation of Schools in Rural Wales

Response from R. I. Gunn

Dear Ms Morris,

I would like to submit the following thoughts to the Call for Evidence on Rural Schools:

To whom it may concern.

Rural Primary Schools.

I would like the following points to be considered in the drawing up of policy regarding rural primary schools.

1. My four children all attended a small rural primary school in Gwynedd where they and the other children progressed well. When they moved up to a central secondary school they continued to progress but from what they mentioned about other children, there was a division in the school between those who came from village schools and those who had been to the larger primary school in the town. This was a cultural and attitude based division rather than an antagonistic one, but the rural children had generally a better attitude and motivation. The children we see around and about generally confirm this impression.

It would seem from this that rather than considering any policy of reducing the number of rural schools, application of some of their benefits to the urban school might be a better course. The rural school children are generally less trouble to school and public authorities and the cost saved in dealing with social problems such as delinquency and unemployability should be balanced against the cost of small schools

2. My four children came from an English-speaking home but at their small school very quickly learnt Welsh and they all became fluent to the extent of being able to compete in national Urdd Eisteddfod Finals. It is apparent that a greater proportion of town school children are not fluent. One of the main threats to the continuation of the use of Welsh is the effect of non Welsh-speaking families moving into Welsh-speaking areas, and the effective teaching of Welsh in primary schools is the main antidote to this.

3. In a time of rising fuel prices, it is made all the clearer that the increased use of buses from rural areas to towns resulting from closure of rural schools can hardly be a good thing either economically, for congestion, or for the environment.

In summary, I feel that the current arrangement of rural primary schools is a good thing because it:-

1) Produces children with a better attitude,

2) Is better for the Welsh language,

3) Avoids extra traffic.

Yours faithfully,

R. I. Gunn.