A SHAKEUP of primary schools in a neighbouring town, has given Llandudno campaigners hope for the future.
Mel Brook, whose children Ffion, 7, and Harri, 6, attend Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn, has organised protests with other members of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). They fear their children’s small community school will be closed when a Conwy County Borough Council review of schools comes to an end.
They claim happy children will be forced away from their schools into bigger classes of up to 60 pupils, if plans to merge with nearby school Ysgol Tudno go ahead.
This week it was announced Conwy Road primary school and Ysgol Pendorlan in Colwyn Bay, had been federalised. Mike Mulvaney, who was previously solely the headteacher of Ysgol Pendorlan, will head up the two schools. Classroom sizes, teachers and the buildings will remain the same. It is hoped Ysgol Glan y Mor will join the federalisation this year.
Mrs Brook, who also fears a children’s play area in Trinity Avenue will be torn down and the new school will be built on the site, said: “We would prefer for things to stay the same, but if this can’t happen this would be better. We don’t want classrooms to merge together. If we can keep classrooms sizes the same and the same teachers this would be fantastic.”
In June the Pioneer reported how parents protested outside Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn. In a second protest outside Mostyn Street library, the determined group collected signatures from local businesses and residents. They placed posters around the town to gain further support.
Parents from Ysgol Tudno and Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn hope to come together to strengthen their campaign after the school summer holidays. They also aim to gain the support of Conwy MP, Guto Bebb.
Chris Hughes, a governor in Colwyn Bay claims having one headteacher will free up cash to invest in children’s education including extra funds to appoint classroom assistants.
Mrs Brook said: “When has happened in Colwyn Bay is good news and something we will be discussing. I am shocked that it has all happened so quickly.”