A VILLAGE school near Abergele has made a desperate plea to save it from closing.
Teachers and pupils at Llanfair Talhaiarn made the plea to Shadow Education Minister Paul Davies when he visited the school last week.
The village school is being linked with a merger with other schools.
A consultation programme is being held in 2012-13 and this could lead to its closure with pupils transferred to a new school at Bro Aled, Llansannen, under Conwy County Council’s modernisation programme.
Lucie Rossiter-Davey, chair of governors at Ysgol Talhaiarn, was upbeat following the visit of Mr Davies and Clwyd West AM Darren Millar. She said she had no immediate fears for the future of the school.
She said: “Mr Davies’ visit was very successful and positive. They had a chance to look round the Cylch Meithrin, the playgroup which is helping to feed pupils into the school, and they were pleasantly surprised by the facilities we have on offer here.
Mr Davies said it was important Conwy County Council listened to the views of teachers, governors and the wider community.
He said: “I think as far as I can see there are large concerns around this school because people feel that this school could be earmarked for closure. I would encourage parents, teachers and governors to look at options like federalisation.”
Mr Millar said he was very concerned about the future of small rural schools and urged the county council to carry out a proper impact assessment over the possible closure.
He added: “Children only get one chance at their education - the council must not let them down.”
During his visit to schools in Conwy, the Shadow Minister also called at St George Primary School near Abergele, to pay tribute to retiring headmaster Ian Pimblott who is stepping down after 20 years.
Mr Davies said: “Headteachers like Ian are the reason that schools like St George are so popular. His enthusiasm for the job is inspiring and I've no doubt that it has made a real difference in the education and achievement of hundreds of children over the years.”
Mr Millar said that the visit to St George was a prime example of a well-functioning school and that it was under no threat of closure.