A TOP-level meeting has been held between county council top brass and teachers ahead of a proposed shake-up of primary school education in the town.
Denbighshire County Council’s Leader Hugh Evans, its Corporate Director of Education, Hywyn Williams and Head of Modernising Education, Jackie Walley, staged talks with teachers and senior governors last week in a bid to calm nerves over a review of primary school provision in the resort, focusing on Bodnant Infants and Juniors, Ysgol Penmorfa, Ysgol Y Llys, Ysgol Clawdd Offa, Ysgol Melyd and Ysgol Hiraddug.
The study, launched to meet increased demand for Welsh education, reduce surplus places in English speaking schools and cut down on the use of mobile classrooms, proposes slashing the future annual pupil intake at Bodnant Infants and Juniors.
Despite six months of low-key talks, the idea of capping admissions into Bodnant Infants leaving parents with no alternative but to send their children to other schools, has led to the launch of a 1,000 strong protest petition and a public meeting.
In the wake of such action and with the prospect of more to come Denbighshire have wheeled out their star performers for talks aimed at reassuring Prestatyn’s school community.
A spokesman for Denbighshire County Council in a statement confirmed: “The Leader of the Council, Corporate Director - Lifelong Learning and the Head of Modernising Education held a meeting with Prestatyn headteachers and their chair of governors last week.
“The purpose of the meeting was to offer reassurances that no decision had been made regarding the review of schools in the area and to allay any fears they may have had. It was also an opportunity to talk again about the process involved and the proposed timescales.
“The council has held and attended several meetings as part of its commitment to carrying out a full and detailed consultation on the proposals.
“The consultation will continue."