FEARS are growing for the future of a small village school in Llanfair Talhaiarn.
Ysgol Talhaiarn, near Abergele, is one of several schools in the area placed under review in Conwy County Council’s Primary School Modernisation programme which has sparked talk of mergers and closures.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar found morale at the school, which has fewer than 30 pupils, dwindling during a visit before the Christmas break. He has given his support to those worried for the future but fears smaller schools are at particular risk.
He said: “I am concerned that the social role of schools in their local community, particularly in rural areas like Llanfair Talhaiarn, must not be overlooked by decision makers.
“The uncertainty over the future really has knocked Ysgol Talhaiarn for six and news that it is up for review has clearly taken its toll on the morale of the headteacher, Eifiona Price Williams, and her team of hardworking staff.”
Other schools in the Abergele area placed under initial review are Ysgol Glan Gele, Ysgol St Elfod and Ysgol St George.
Mr Millar added: “Schools that are able to deliver the national curriculum should not be forced to close unless there is agreement to do so from parents, teachers and governors.”
In the Primary School Modernisation’s consultation on the areas for review document published last year, it was stated Ysgol Talhaiarn had 50 of its 88 places unfilled. It also recorded how almost 60per cent of the children living in the school’s catchment area were attending a different school, and “more than half” of the assessed key facilities (such as ITC areas) are missing.
A spokeswoman for Conwy County Council said 17 stakeholder meetings have been held across the county in the past two months in communities containing schools identified for initial review.
Cllr Wyn Jones, Conwy’s Cabinet member for education, said: “We’d like to thank everyone that took the time to meet with us and get involved in this review. We’ve received valuable feedback that will be used to draw-up our strategy for modernising primary education in Conwy.”
The information collected at the stakeholder meetings, which were attended by parents, teachers and governors, will be collated and published at www.conwy.gov.uk/education by the end of January.
Staff at Ysgol Talhaiarn were unavailable for comment.