Objections to the Statutory Notices proposing to close the Gader catchment area schools on 31 August 2017 and establish a Community All-through Catchment Area Welsh Medium School on six sites on 1 September 2017

53 written objections were received and analysed under the following headings: 1. Education 5. Transport and Travel 9. Finance 2. Community 6. Site and Building Matters 10. Statistics 3. Staffing Matter 7. Governance and Admission 11. Other Options 4. The Welsh Language 8. The Statutory Process 12. General

Comment Gwynedd Council’s Response comment comment including the including Comment Code Code Comment No. of responses responses of No.

1 Education 1.1 One of the main reasons for relocation was to offer our children a rural lifestyle. 2 The Council is of the opinion that the proposal will maintain, if not improve, the One of the most positive elements for moving was our children’s school. My child quality of education in the catchment area and is very pleased to understand was not coping very well with the idea of leaving our family and our friends. I that Estyn – when their response was received during the statutory firmly believe that if she had been in any other school in the UK, she would have consultation period - shares these views. fallen through the net. The work, help and the support received from staff in In terms of class sizes, every class in Ysgol Clogau has an age range of 4 years Ysgol y Clogau helped her to cope with the situation. My children have had an (ages 3-7 and ages 7-11). It is predicted that the age range will be lower on the opportunity to succeed and develop (thanks to the fact that Ysgol y Clogau is a Llanelltyd site with a range of 3 years at the most in one class. Ysgol Clogau has small school)./ Ysgol y Clogau is a very special place – small and mixed classes. seen fewer than 10 pupils in a class and at times there has only been one child Older children look after the youngest and the youngest learn from the older in a school year. Classes of viable sizes are predicted at the Llanelltyd site with children. I believe that this is extremely valuable. /In terms of Gwynedd’s pupils being able to learn alongside children of the same age. education strategy, Ysgol y Clogau’r performance is excellent. Ysgol y Clogau was only one of two schools in the area to receive a Grade 1 in five of the seven fields in the most recent Estyn report. Also, assessments at the end of Key Stage 1 were higher than those of the remainder of the County and the whole of Wales and some pupils achieved a level 3 in Welsh and Mathematics. Similarly, in Key Stage 2, the school performed better than the remainder of Wales in every subject. This means that the general performance of Ysgol y Clogau was amongst the 25% of similar schools in Wales at the time of the inspection. The same teaching team remains in the school. /Considering the continuous success of Ysgol y Clogau over many years, the question must be asked –why change something that has been working particularly well? During the Consultation process, no measurable

criteria have been allocated regarding the specific educational outcomes of the changes proposed by Gwynedd Council. Estyn have noted in their response that “there could be an improvement” in the current standard. This is an insufficient basis for change. Estyn also note in their response to the Consultation document that it does not “show clearly the effect of the proposed proposal on the designation of the new school.” / The children of Ysgol y Clogau go for regular walks in the woods in Bontddu and the children go to study in Farchynys in the estuary. The pupils are very aware of the environmental factors that Gwynedd Council have omitted from the proposal. Parents, teachers and pupils know that they are very fortunate to be taught in a unique location. No playing field in any school could compete with the variety and wealth that these pupils experience regularly. A recent report from Estyn noted “Ysgol y Clogau is a school with several special characteristics”. Parents have stated that the children will be transferred to schools that were not performing as well. /If Ysgol y Clogau closes, there is a belief that the schools that our children will be forced to attend are not performing particularly well. I don’t understand the logic behind this. We want our children to attend a good school (why we moved here). 1.2 I haven’t seen anything in the proposal that persuades me that education will 8 Improving the quality of education a nd the pupils’ experiences is one of the improve. I thought that children in the UK had the right to an education. I am of aims of the County’s schools reorganisation strategy. Factors such as pupil the opinion that this proposal will affect the education of my children and numbers, class sizes, leadership and effective management as well as the everything is out of my control./ I am worried about everyone that is affected by quality and suitability of the buildings all contribute to the educational this and the future of our children’s education./ Change and improvement are experiences offered to pupils and respond to their academic and welfare needs. unavoidable but indeed the proposed proposal does not introduce an improvement./ “There is a desire to ensure a strong and sustainable education Establishing one school could enable the flexibility across all the ages so that provision…” clauses such as “there is a desire for” and “it would be possible to sharing resources, staff and facilities, becomes standard practice. The all strengthen”, do not provide assurance of any improvements to the educational through school model should provide a more effective context for managers to provision and standards of education. It appears that ‘rationalisation’ is the main manage resources and to plan education within the establishment. An all vision and the education of children and young people appears as a secondary through school could provide additional opportunities for maintaining the ethos consideration. /Don’t see how this will improve the education provided for the and general values across the school and these should provide a more effective children. context for improving the quality of teaching and learning. 1.3 With the current problems in Ysgol y Gader secondary school, where my child 4 The Council is fully aware of the recent concerns among parents regarding Ysgol attends, wouldn’t it be better to spend resources to resolve that problem first? / Y Gader and the Governors and the Education Department, with help from Has consideration been given to the fact that a substantial number of families GWE officers, have established support and assistance measures. These are have either moved from Gwynedd or have sent their children outside the monitored regularly. catchment area because of the failure of Ysgol y Gader, the leadership and the Governors? /Ysgol y Gader has recently cancelled participation in the Eisteddfod At present, at Ysgol Y Gader, a Strategic Head Teacher is working in because it has an Estyn inspection. The school cannot cope with its own staffing collaboration with a temporary Head Teacher in Care and two Assistant Head

levels and the large number of temporary staff but despite this it will be Teachers in order to respond to a specific improvement plan compiled jointly by providing teachers for the primary schools. Shouldn’t the instability of the GWE officers and which is regularly monitored by a sub-panel of the governing secondary school be dealt with first before destabilising the primary schools? body. An accrued maintenance sum of £439,000 will eventually be spent on Y Apart from the reserve funds of £439,000 for maintenance, which has not been Gader site. explained, there is no mention of any improvements to Ysgol y Gader. Despite this, pupils of years 5 and 6 are expected to be transported to Ysgol y Gader to One example of a possible advantage of this proposal would be that pupils from share very ordinary science facilities. How will the numbers fit into the years 5 and 6 in the primary could have lessons at the secondary site. This laboratories? More than 30 pupils at the same time? How will this be timetabled would be a matter for the governing body to decide on and timetable it and costed?/ Reading the most recent reports on the schools in the catchment accordingly. area of Ysgol y Gader, is it not true to say that the rural schools achieve the best results although we do not have the best resources? / My child is in Year 8 in Ysgol y Gader. In September 2017, he will be commencing his GCSE course. He has already experienced two years of disruption because of management problems in the school leading to the school being banded red following a recent Estyn inspection. All the attention has been on the pupils sitting examinations and the younger years have been neglected. The Head Teacher who was seconded has resigned and there will be a further period of uncertainty until a new head teacher is appointed and has settled in post. The reorganisation should be deferred and the school given an opportunity to come to terms with these serious issues. 1.4 In the recent inspection, Ysgol Brithdi r was shown to be an excellent school and, 20 The Council is pleased to hear parents positive remarks abou t the education therefore, it is stupid to consider closing it and to jeopardise the educational provided at Ysgol Brithdir, that the pupils receive the best possible care and development of the children. Their future depends on their educational that the school is one happy family which promotes Welsh culture and the attainment and I am extremely concerned that Gwynedd Council is considering language in every possible way. closing an excellent school in order to move forward with a vague scheme. Schools in Dolgellau have been graded as poor or very poor and the idea that The Council acknowledges that facing any kind of change is not an easy mater these will change and improve sounds very unlikely. It is known to everyone that and that discussions regarding school organisation causes insecurity. in situations such as these that the good follow the bad and so there will be deterioration in the good schools after merging them with those that are Even so, this proposal aims to maintain and improve those good practices currently not as good. /The consultation report is of great interest and comparing already at work whilst investing in resources which are suitable for the 21 st the performance of Ysgol Brithdir with other schools in the catchment area century in order to offer the pupils of the catchment area varied experiences shows clearly that Ysgol Brithdir is better than every other school in nearly every and help them develop skills and confidence. category: the number of children attending, excellent size of classes, financial cost per pupil and the academic attainment. Therefore, it is quite logical that The aim is to add to and enrich the educational provision and provide the best Gwynedd Council in their initial decision decided that Ysgol Brithdir should possible educational experiences for all learners within the County and to continue to provide an excellent education of the highest quality for local ensure a balanced and exciting curriculum which offers ex-curricular activities children. This decision was confirmed by the Welsh Government’s Minister for and care.

Education, Leighton Andrews. / Ysgol Brithdir has a reputation of being caring of its pupils with very high quality learning. Neighbours have said that there is a This type of proposal could provide an opportunity to improve educational special history to the school; many of them have received their education there standards across the catchment. Establishing one school could enable the as well as several generations of their families. Maintaining this high standard flexibility across all the ages so that sharing resources, staff and facilities, over several years is in itself laudable. / My children received the best possible becomes standard practice. There are reasons why this doesn’t happen to a education in Brithdir. Why close a school which offers the best possible greater extent at present such as multiple headteachers and governing bodies education? The Council is of the opinion that an All-through school will offer had to agree before any sharing could occur. “suitable classes and high quality leadership”. It is the opinion of Brithdir’s governing body that this proposal will not improve the current situation. / There The all through school model should provide a more effective context for is no reasonable reason for closing Ysgol Brithdir from what I can see. The managers to manage resources and to plan education within the establishment. reasons outlined in the consultation document sound completely senseless: the This in turn could provide a strong foundation for improving quality, the closure of a successful and happy school in order to improve the standard of standard of education and the welfare of pupils. other schools./ We know that the Gwynedd Schools Reorganisation Strategy identifies six main objectives and we support this. Unfortunately, we believe that An all through school could provide additional opportunities for maintaining the the scheme for Ysgol y Gader and closing Ysgol Brithdir neither achieves nor ethos and general values across the school and these should provide a more improves the current situation and certainly it does not achieve or improve the effective context for improving the quality of teaching and learning. six objectives that have been adopted. The performance of Ysgol Brithdir in terms of achieving the statutory performance indicators is praise for the teachers and the children and the school’s performance in ensuring that it meets the six objectives is already unsurpassed. Closing the school would weaken a team of teachers and children that give of their best to: • ensure suitable classes and high quality leadership • promote and strengthen the Welsh language • develop a proactive and creative long-term plan • make the best possible use of the resources available • create a first-class learning environment for children and teachers Develop schools to become establishments that are the focus for community activities./ As an area, we have been very supportive of change but we do not support change that will not develop and extend the future education of children in our area./ A protest by letter regarding the closure of Ysgol Brithdir. As our children had received their education in the town of Dolgellau, we discussed the idea of educating our grand-children in Brithdir after hearing about the excellent education provided there. We were not disappointed as they showed progress in both languages and recently it was shown that Ysgol Brithdir was the best in our area. Brithdir children receive an excellent education and every child receives attention. The school is full and more children in the area are eager to attend

there./ You should have been in the Idris Catchment Area Urdd Eisteddfod. That would have proved to you the success of Ysgol Brithdir. Approximately 19 items went forward to the County Eisteddfod, much more than any other school in the catchment area./ You use the argument that children deserve a 21 st century school but as Ysgol Brithdir is in the green category, it is obvious that they are receiving the best education. The stress on the teachers has been immense and despite this, the teaching staff has been loyal to the school. /Brithdir does not have a playing field, a dining room, staff room and the modern facilities are few. Despite this, Ysgol Brithdir is the first choice for many parents who want a first- class education from committed staff. The message is clear – the obvious answer is an extension to Brithdir and this is what many parents have already supported./ Ysgol Brithdir is a flourishing school and children come from long distances to receive an education of this standard. Over 40 children attend Ysgol Brithdir and the school is central. But you want to keep a school open that is not only on the outskirts of the catchment area but also only has 18 pupils. /The children of Ysgol Brithdir appear to be very polite children and have come from a good school. /Ysgol Brithdir is a happy, safe and successful school./ After years of uncertainty under the threat of closure, some of the schools are short of pupils and their short-term future is fragile. On the other hand, our school in Brithdir is full and is expanding despite the lack of resources. It can be seen that it is not a building that makes a successful school. It is not a hall or a playing field that make children succeed. They succeed on an education and personal level and in the community. /My child attends Ysgol Brithdir and has always been shy and this holds her back in her school work. I was worried that she would not realise her potential in a large urban school. The way the rural school is being run has helped my daughter and she shone in last year’s Christmas show. I think this has much to do with the family atmosphere of a rural school where the oldest children keep an eye on the youngest ones. Her reading, mathematics and everything else has improved. 1.5 There is a moral and legal responsibility to educa te children to the highest 1 The strategy “Primary Education of the Best Quality for the Children of possible standard. I believe that some councillors are against this principle but Gwynedd’ was unanimously received by the full Council on 2nd April 2009. The the Council has a legal duty to educate children and not allowing the children to strategy outlines the aim of reviewing primary education in each secondary have a teacher because a teacher who speaks Welsh is not available is wrong. catchment area and criteria were established to find out which areas needed to be prioritised. In accordance with the criteria, Y Gader catchment area was the third catchment area to undergo a review. The strategy outlines the vision to : “Offer education of the highest possible quality which will give the children of

the County the experiences, the confidence and the skills to enable them to develop into bilingual, successful and complete citizens”.

Six main aims have been identified in the strategy, namely: 1. Ensure appropriate class sizes and a high standard of leadership in schools. 2. Promote and strengthen the Welsh language. 3. Develop a creative and proactive long term plan. 4. Make the best use of resources. 5. Create learning and teaching environment of the best quality for the children and teachers in the County. 6. Develop schools so that they become central to community events. 1.6 Small schools are closing in the same way as the health service is closing beds 1 The emphasis of this proposal is not on the closure of small schools but rather and smaller hospitals and concentrating on Ysbyty Maelor and Ysbyty Gwynedd. on the development of an appropriate educational system in this part of This doesn’t work. Do not go down that route. Gwynedd which will be sustainable into the future. In order to accomplish this, the number of primary locations needs to be reduced in view of the fact that there are at present 9 sites to accommodate just 350 pupils. This on average means 40 pupils per site. In establishing an educational establishment with 5 sites, the average number of pupils would be 70 pupils. 1.7 Why should the children of Brithdir accept the cheapest proposal that does not 5 There were c onceptual images in the statutory consultation document and “create a fist-class learning environment”? Why should be close a successful site since then, consultation has taken place with the Head Teacher and members and school and travel to a site which would have closed by now if it were not for of the governing body to further develop the plans. the reorganisation? /The Governing Body of Brithdir believes that expenditure on the Rhydymain site will not create a high-quality learning environment. It appears There will be no change to the investment figure earmarked for upgrading the that the expenditure undertaken in Rhydymain is inferior compared with other Rhydymain site, namely £620,000 – which is a substantail amount by the sites. Is this because you can also see that the school there is not sustainable? Council. Any upgrade work will reach the 21st Century expectations. The provision is not an improvement at all as there will only be three classrooms there – the other schools are having four. Is the Foundation Phase provision an Reports in the consultation document were based on the predictions issued in improvement? No it isn’t, because having 30 pupils is not an improvement at all. September 2013 by Head Teachers and one possible method of arranging the It has also been mentioned that key stages will be divided between two classes - classes at the Rhydymain site was put forward. This is an example only, the an absolutely stupid idea? /Expenditure there is insufficient and appears to be a table below shows three different methods by which the pupil numbers can be temporary revamp. Yet, all the existing pupils of Ysgol Brithdir are expected to arranged, based on the predictions provided by head teachers in September travel there. The resources there will be poor and a suggestion has been made 2014: that some of the pupils would have to travel to the town to receive a proportion of curricular aspects. Transporting children back and forth is complete madness and a waste of time. If this is going to be one school, then every site should have the same resources and be able to provide the same experiences. /Model 8

proposes th ree classes in the Rhydymain site. In my opinion this is complete nonsense. How can this improve children’s education? The proposal of separating key stages and the years is quite a challenge for teachers and for the children and it is not good practice. This adds to the assumption that the Rhydymain site will be reduced over a period and will ultimately close. We hope that you will reconsider this plan before moving forward. /In terms of suitable classes, there are only three classes being considered in Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd, Rhydymain. Where is the improvement in this for the children of Ysgol Brithdir? Any improvement to our situation in Brithdir insists that there should be four classes in Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd, Rhydymain.

From the examples in the above table, and dependent on the head teacher’s decision, it is possible to create a class structure whereby the key stages remain intact. The class structure will be decided upon by the head teacher and the governing body on the basis of the true pupil numbers and the number of staff appointed to the site. 1.8 We are very doubtful whether model 8 in its present form is a viable answer to 3 Gwynedd Council is committed to safeguarding education by ensuring the problem facing us. In your presentation and correspondence on model 8 the sustainable provision and making sure that resources are distributed more word ‘hope’ appears too frequently. We need robust facts and assurance not fairly. The aim is to ensure that any change to the educational provision in the your ‘hope’ that all of it will be a success. There is too much at stake, the area is strong enough to meet possible changes in pupil numbers in the future. education years of hundreds of children are at stake. Reorganisation on such a The reduction in pupil numbers during recent years has created a substantial scale needs much more than your flimsy ‘hope’ that it will succeed. Don’t the number of surplus places in the primary schools of Y Gader catchment area – a children, and indeed councillors of the future, deserve an assurance that their total of 41% (or 248 in number). There are also a number of surplus places in education is of the highest quality? Isn’t it their right to receive an education that the secondary sector, 18% (86 places) which means that the number of surplus is as good as that of any other pupil in Gwynedd? You need to show much more places across the catchment area is 31% (334 school places). The predictions robust evidence regarding the success of this model. It is not sufficient to ‘hope’ are a cause for concern since the schools will become very vulnerable, there that you will attract the best Head Teacher, ‘hoping’ that the primary sites are will be too much pressure on head teachers as they strive to maintain sustainable is insufficient, it is not at all acceptable to ‘hope’ that a timetable can standards and provide quality experiences and opportunities for the pupils. be created so that teaching time is not lost as teachers and pupils travel from one There is a need to truly consider the personal and social welfare of the children place to another. /How can you be so reckless of children's education? How can attending the school at that time. you with your hand on your heart look into the eyes of the teachers and children and tell them that all of it will be an improvement and a success when there has The Council is aware of the fact that the model has not been established in the never been anything like this to prove success? Where is the fairness for children form that it was formerly put forward. The Council does not agree that - in Y Gader Catchment Area after the expenditure that you have incurred in Craig

y Deryn, Penybryn, Tywyn and Llanuwchllyn? because it is an innovative model – an all -thr ough catchment area school 1.9 I attended Ysgol Brithdir very recently as have my family for five generations and 2 should not be established, considering the various advantages it can offer. more. /Our family has attended this school for generations. At the end of the day it is more than likely that you do not consider the education of the children, only The Council does not believe that this option includes high level risks, the the cost! proposal is an innovative one but a number of factors have been carefully balanced before a decision was reached over the favoured option.

Considerable research has been undertaken before the proposed model was chosen. These factors included elements from the County’s school organisation strategy, the vision for Y Gader catchment area, elements of the Schools Organisation Code (006/2013) and other relevant factors. 1.10 We know that the current situation in terms of schools organisation is not 4 The Council apprecia tes the opinion stated here that change is inevitable in sustainable./ I accept that there is a need to proceed with the proposal of school order to bring educational advantages to current and future pupils. This mergers to achieve the All-through School for 3-16 year olds./ I understand that proposal offers an opportunity to maintain the best elements of education in there is a need for change in the catchment area. It is understood that ‘there is a the catchment area whilst at the same time paying attention to any elements real need for change in some areas for several reasons’. that need to be improved. 1.11 Why think of a large school? Doesn’t the fact that the two schools in Dolgellau 3 The Council is aware that some parents have lately been worried about are in the red band tell you something as a Council?/ It is a cause for concern that education in Ysgol Y Gader and Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau. The education the two schools in the town of Dolgellau have been categorised red. Ysgol department has put measures in place to help these schools. Gynradd Dolgellau received an Estyn report that is of the opinion that there is need for special measures. If it is the Council’s long-term plan is to create a Ysgol Y Gader is receiving additional aid and support in order to further develop ‘super-school’ in the town of Dolgellau, these events are a big concern for the leadership and management structure already established and which is parents in the area. /The size of classes is increasing substantially. /The current measured by monitoring the pupils’ achievement standards. In 2014, there is proposal is impractical. Ysgol y Gader and Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau are in dire strong evidence that the co-operation between staff, governors and officers is straits. They have no Head Teachers. They are in the red band. How will creating bearing fruit - the results and local and national comparisons are available for one school on six sites improve the situation? parents.

At the moment, a Strategic Head Teacher is co-operating with a temporary Head Teacher in Care and two Assistant Head Teachers and implementing a specific improvement plan compiled jointly with GWE officers and which is monitored regularly by a sub panel from the governing body.

There is currently a temporary Head Teacher at Ysgol Gynradd Dolgellau. 1.12 I am writing to present my continuous objections to the proposal to close Ysgol 1 The Council is pleased to understand that parents believe that education of Machreth, Llanfachreth. I am a Governor of the school and have children who high quality is being provided at Ysgol Machreth. This proposal hopes to attend the school. Ysgol Machreth is a very special school as was seen last week preserve this high quality and to strengthen the situation in a learning when the pupils participated in a National Initiative competition in the Senedd environment fit for the 21st century.

and came second throughout the whole of Wales. Children in these schools reach the highest heights academically and thrive in a very encouraging atmosphere. My children have reached a high standard in every subject including Welsh, although English is the language at home. Ysgol Machreth is responsible for this success. 1.13 Quoting from the NASS paper Small Schools and Economics , it states that Small 1 Our expectation is that there will be classes of suitable size in the primary schools, reduce disadvantage by keeping a closer link with parents, also have a schools of Y Gader catchment area, and indeed throughout Gwynedd, so that positive effect on problems associated with childhood in this phase, in what Sue all the children in the County receive the best possible experiences and Palmer calls ‘a toxic childhood’. Three baronesses, each one a former Home opportunities in the company of their peers. In Y Gader catchment area, the Secretary, were so extremely concerned with what was happening to childhood aim is not to move pupils from very small schools and drown them in an that they commissioned studies of the symptoms. Small schools can reach parents enormous school. Whichever one of the six sites that pupils attend, the aim will more easily and share values, perspectives, ambition and effort. This is exactly be to provide education of the best possible quality. what Ysgol y Clogau is doing so well and its unmistakable success over the years is testament to that. To continue with the NSS report Small Schools and Six of the primary head teachers in the catchment area spend over 70% of their Economics, time teaching. One core aim is to ensure a reduction in teaching time for head In Scotland in 2006, a review by the Government reported that children in the teachers, so that they can concentrate their attention and efforts on leadership smallest schools had a 25% better chance of going to higher education. Children and management and the teachers can concentrate on effectively teaching the from poor deprived families in those same schools made progress. Small schools children under their care. would be more effective for poor people in urban communities… In 2007, Ofsted provided data for NASS which showed that schools with fewer than 51 children received good or best grades for learning and schools of between 51 and 100 came next. For some time it has been seen that good parents and good teachers are the most important factors to ensure educational outcomes. Small and very small schools have constantly been on average amongst Ofsted’s awards of ‘excellent’, whilst all the inspectors in the UK note that they have a positive and family atmosphere stemming from effective relationships with parents and local communities. 1.14 It is suggested that The primary curriculum and timetable can be arranged across 1 The Council acknowledges that some voluntary collaboration arran gements are each site so that pupils of the same age learn the same things at the same time - already in place within the catchment area. As the schools are separate this would mean that they would all be on the same level when reaching Year 7 in educational establishments at the moment, each with its own governing body, the secondary site. This is an ideological ambition but in practical terms and it is not easy to ensure complete consistency across all the schools. For ‘sharing’ staff resources e.g. a music teacher from Ysgol y Gader, or having every example, one body can decide not to conform and this could lead to a lack of science lesson in Ysgol y Gader, cannot work. It appears that a basic analysis was consistency across all the schools. not undertaken when introducing these educational proposals. These days, using the internet and sharing resources on-line rather than having to transport Although the same curriculum is at present being followed, the new proposal children physically around the catchment area makes efficient use that is cost can ensure that the same themes are being taught at the same time so that effective, practical and environmentally friendly. There is no reason why staff collaboration and sharing staff expertise becomes a natural part of everyday life

from sites should not meet to discuss and share good practice, indeed this is not at the schools – for the benefit of the children. The Council acknowledges that new. Staff and Head Teachers meet regularly e.g. this is done in the ‘School to the existing schools are working within the same systems, but by establishing School’ project. This is not a new idea. one school under one managerial system (one governing body, one head Last week alone, a Head Teacher and a KS1 teacher attended a) a planning teacher and one school team) pupils’ experiences will be even more consistent. workshop for KS2 for every school in the catchment area and b) a Foundation It has to be acknowledged that at times different governing bodies and head Phase moderation meeting. teachers put emphasis on specific aspects but establishing one managerial system will ensure consistency not only within the primary sector but also in the secondary sector. 1.15 Where have the risks been measured? There are costs associated with risk areas 1 The Council can see a number of educational advantages for all the pupils in Y and possible effects. The absence of the costs shows that the risks have not been Gader catchment area by establishing the proposed model. inspected in detail. One substantial risk is “What if this model does not work in terms of maintaining and improving the education of the catchment area?” It is The Council does not believe that this option includes high level risks, the convenient that there are no measurable outcomes for education. No proposal is innovative and numerous factors have been considered before a accountability is associated with this project. No examples were provided of this decision was taken on the favoured option. model in operation in a similar situation. This is a very High Risk Strategy, especially so, considering the recent failure of Ysgol y Gader, the Head Teacher The risks and challenges of this proposal have been included in the statutory who has recently resigned and the existing governing body. Considering that 79% consultation document, in accordance with the School Organisation Code of the parents who were questioned had responded by saying “The only thing (006/2013) that is my concern is that my child receives a good education.” Gwynedd Council has not identified to what extent educational standards will improve. 2 The Community 2.1 Given where we live, Ysgol Clogau is the only thing between us and Dolgellau. 5 The purpose of any village school is to provide the best possible education to How will the community cope if the school closes? What will happen to the pupils. However, it is recognized that any school can be an integral part of the building? The community appreciates the performances, the Thanksgiving surrounding community, and that residents feel strongly about maintaining Service and fund raising events / The children’s education level has improved the local school. drastically, but the most important for me, are the unique social skills and the sense of community they have gained since attending the school / My children Regarding the comments that the closure of the school brings the respect their community and respect each other / If the school closes, it will be community to an end, this is not necessarily the case in Gwynedd - see the end of this community in Bontddu. We have already lost our shop and post examples such as Llithfaen and Caeathro where the Welsh community office, will there be anything left to keep families here and to attract new families continues to thrive and go from strength to strength many years after the to the area? / Smaller classes, community atmosphere and the rural location are school closed. advantages that parents feel will be lost if Ysgol Clogau closes / Ysgol Clogau has

delivered one of the main objectives of Gwynedd's education strategy "by What this proposal does is try to deal with the current situation which is developing our schools into establishments that are at the heart of the community” – closing the school will be contrary to these objectives / The unsustainable. The purpose of the proposal is to establish a n educational community is in close and regular contact with the school in a number of ways – system of the highest quality for pupils in the Gader catchment area by such links cannot be created in a short period of time / The table on page 58 of developing the experiences, skills and confidence to enable them to develop to

the Consultative Document does not include additional use by the community - their full potential. the community attends summer / autumn fayres, open days in the summer. The school uses the village hall for its Christmas Concert, Christmas party, the Gwynedd Council is aware of the concerns expressed as regards the potential Thanksgiving Service, dance/gymnastics lessons and occasionally for the spring impact of school closures on communities in the Gader catchment area, and it fayre / other occasional events e.g. film showings and birthday parties / is alert to the challenge of trying to mitigate the potential impact . If this Members from the community sit on the Governing Body and assist the school, proposal is realized, the Council is committed to working with those demonstrating real interest and commitment, even if they do not have children communities for the benefit of the community. attending the school / The Community feels part of the school and is very supportive of school events / School helps to fundraise for the village hall and Community involvement will be one of the considerations in establishing the shares the Thanksgiving Service donations with community members / Local proposed new school. The Council recognizes that the closure of educational businesses benefit from the support of the school parents / How can this be sites in a village can have a negative impact on the communities but that compensated? The mitigation measures do not consider these points. It is mitigation measures can reduce the negative impact. The Community Impact important to note that the school is the greatest benefit to the village taxpayers Assessment report states: when compared with the money spent on people living in urban areas. "The impact of the models on the communities, and how far-reaching is the 2.2 I have lived in Brithdir for 30 years – my children attended the school and 6 impact depends on the mitigation measures that are adopted in response to benefited from good education along with nurturing the sense of belonging to the change. This is true in each of the 8 Model s. the community, a sense that was created by the school. Learning and being part

of a small, close-knit school community means that they have self-confidence, For th ose communities where a school is closed, it is suggested that some empathy towards their peers, a feeling of belonging and self-respect – elements measures to mitigate the negative impact. These mitigation which I feel they would not possess if they attended a school environment that are adopted was less close-knit and in a larger building / Closing a school in a small village measures will be considered by the Council for incorporation if the decision is such as Brithdir would not only affect those who have school age children, but taken to implement the recommendations in the catchment area: the entire community. Families, friends and village residents support the school • In order to create an inclusive spirit and ownership, it should be financially, by raising funds through attending events held by the school and they ensured at the start and throughout the transitional process that also help by volunteering. Having a school in the village attracts new families to Governors of each school are an integral part of the developments and the area which brings new blood and experiences that are very valuable / Losing decisions , with regular information cascaded to parents, the school’s support will have an impact on the community e.g. meetings, the • Appropriate consultation with local communities and villages in Thanksgiving Service, Christmas show / Live in Brithdir and the children attend agreeing on the appropriate use of all buildings in the future the school in the village - I cannot praise the school enough. Despite problems • Arrangements should be made to ensure that a proportion of social with the school’s resources, the children's achievement is higher than expected, activities of the new schools (concerts, coffee evenings , etc.) are held in they are developing morally and championing their community and their the villages where schools are closing, as well as the villages where the Welshness - the school is succeeding / I cannot see the sense in closing Ysgol presence of a school site is continuing Brithdir - the school must be doing something right otherwise it would not be so full - 44 pupils. It is popular, successful and thriving – everything a Welsh medium • The Council should ensure that school transport plans are appropriate.

rural school should be. It helps to keep our rural communities alive. It has always been a good school! There is even a waiting list for children who are waiting to If the model is to be implemented, the Council can give due consideration to

receive their education there. And this is how the Education Authority and the the mitigation measures identified here.

Councillors reward Ysgol Brithdir – by closing it! / Hope that the Council reconsiders as closing the school will not only be a loss to the children but also to The Council has a policy on the after use of school buildings. According to this the remainder of the community of Brithdir and to the future of the area. policy,. If there is a local wish, the Council will ask its Regeneration Officers to 2.3 Very concerned about the impact of the proposed closure on the community and 3 support the community when considering any after-use of land and buildings village of Brithdir. The village has already lost the post office, the local shop and that are released as a result of the reorganization. more recently, the village church. However, we are very fortunate of having a very successful school that is very well managed and is a central part of life in the The Council is pleased to hear of the commitment and involvement of the village / A rural village should not be treated in this way and you claim to be a community of Bontddu with the school, and hope this link will continue with Council that is ‘committed to maintaining rural education.' Closing a sustainable, the wider community that will be involved in the catchment-area school. There accessible and viable site such as Brithdir is unscrupulous especially after the will be a need for community members on the shadow governing body; the Assembly and Leighton Andrews gave their seal of approval to the Brithdir site Council welcomes any current member of the governing bodies of schools during the last consultation / Will you still provide sustainable rural education of offering themselves as members of the shadow body. a high standard in the catchment area? The Council claims that it is committed to maintaining the rural education of the catchment – but this model does the In terms of the continuation of Welsh-medium rural primary education, the opposite. Council would like to highlight that four rural primary sites will continue to be 2.4 School closures have a worse long term impact on the area as fami lies who want 1 protected - Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd, Rhydymain and Friog. to work have to move from the area in order to find schools that have the same ethos and standards as those schools that have been lost. They move to areas where there are better jobs, cheaper housing and better prospects– the area will have nothing left apart from the elderly and holiday homes. If our school in Llanfachreth closes, we will also have to consider moving. 2.5 The parents and the local community are very disappointed with your decision to 1 close Ysgol Ganllwyd. The decision not only affects the children, but also the link between the children and the community. The village is being divided as parents send their children to schools outside the catchment-area. We trust that you will consider the implications of your decision on our children and on our community in future. 2.6 In Rhydymain there have been a number of houses for sale for years and they 1 have now been sold to older people who do not have children. What future will the school have if there are no children? 2.7 When we moved to the area we were pleased to have made the decision as we 3 The efforts of p arents and local village residents are recognized in support ing knew that we were doing the best for our prospective family. As former teachers the education of children in the area. Education is a partnership between we were very aware of the importance of having a good foundation for our parents, pupils and the school. Bringing p upils from different communities children’s education. We moved from an area where its schools had a good together to receive their education will hopefully mean that wider reputation but where there were common social problems. In addition to communities can support the school. The community assessment proposed bringing up our family in a picturesque area, we were looking forward to sending "Arrangements should be made to ensure that a proportion of social our children to Ysgol Brithdir and to becoming part of the strong parent

community / Children will miss out on having the support of older people in the activities of the new schools (concerts, coffee evenings, etc.) are held in community who volunteer their time and expertise to regularly teach the the villages where schools are closing, as well as the villages where the children / Losing the school would change the community. It will not be possible presence of a school site is continuing " so that the connection between to maintain links between the old and the young in the village without a school. school and community (or between young and old as noted in the objections) 2. 8 The Rhydymain site is on the outskirts of the catchment -area. It is not central 4 continues. If the proposal is implemented, the recommendations of the enough for the three villages – Llanfachreth, Brithdir and Rhydymain. How will community impact assessment to mitigate the negative impact will be this sustain the community activities held here in Brithdir? presented to the head and shadow governing body of the new all-through 2. 9 The pupils of Ysgol Brithdir attend the Urdd in the community and the Aelwyd 2 catchment-area school . has proven success at the eisteddfod and at sports and holds activities to

promote the Welsh language and Welshness. What future will such activities When considering local pupils attending activities such as the Urdd, it is have? / Ysgol Brithdir is popular and welcoming. The Harvest Service and possible that more children can participate and benefit as the cohort of pupils Christmas concerts held at the village hall are a success every year and people of the area enjoy coming out to watch and support. learning together and socializ ing will be larger . The pupils will know each

2.10 As an area, we have families and members of the community who are 1 other when they are being taught together and increas ing the cohort can supportive, regular use is made of the school, and there is an after-school club create sports teams for specific ages. every evening for the pupils, that is provided by the school staff and volunteers. 2. 11 Fortunate t o have a successful and highly respected nursery school at Seren Fach 10 The Council is aware that Seren Fach nursery is located in the Brithdir. On the in the village of Brithdir, which feeds the next class of children who will attend decision of choice of site, there are a number of reasons and information that the school / The Seren Fach nursery is a valuable asset and supports our school must be considered. and the broader community. It helps and encourages employment in the area as it enables many parents to return to the workplace. Will closing the school affect The Council is aware that a number of qualities in favour of Brithdir site, in fact, Seren Fach? / In your response you said that Seren Fach is private. It is a charity this is why the site was proposed as part of the previous proposal in 2011. that is run by members of the community as a work committee, employing 14 Unfortunately, the Council needed to consider other sites. staff members and a manager with childcare qualifications and experience, under the guidance of a Manager and a committee of community members. All profits are invested in the nursery. It is inspected by ESTYN, with very good results / Jobs are scarce in the area - convenient for parents to bring their children to school and to Seren Fach and to reach their workplace by 9. Why threaten scarce jobs in a rural area? / With Seren Fach accepting nursery and pre-school children within a stone's throw of Ysgol Brithdir, does it not make more sense to keep Ysgol Brithdir open? /The location of Ysgol Brithdir and the Nursery means that parents are able to go to work after dropping their children off at both locations with an after-school club until 6pm for those up to the age of 7. Jobs are scarce in the area, there will be even fewer after closing our school, why put jobs in danger? 2. 12 Did you see the community protesting against the closure of Ysgol Brithdir? 1 The Council is aware that any proposal to change any provision causes concern Neighbours of the school, who live in the four nearest houses, were there on the and that the proposed change of educational provision can cause instability. night supporting keeping the school open. That is why the statutory process has been followed, so that local people can

give their comments during the consultation period and make objections during the objections period, if desired. 2.1 3 You say that the community could make use of the school if it is closed. Who 2 The Council has a policy on the after use of school buildings, which was would maintain the building? The community already has a hall to maintain and adopted in 2010. If the re is a local wish, the Council will ask its Regeneration has come together to make sure that the Old Chapel does not stand empty by Officers to support the community when considering any after-use of land and establishing the Seren Fach Nursery /The community did not want to see an buildings that are released as a result of the reorganization. empty building in the village - when the Chapel membership was very low it had to close. The community came together and with grant funding, was able to establish the Nursery. Cannot see how the school building can be used by the community as we already have a Village hall to maintain. 2.1 4 The Friog and Fairbourne area , hope that there will still be a school building for 1 The Council welcomes the comment that we must 'embrace change and ensure the children of these villages to attend. Naturally, we would prefer for things to that children have the best opportunities' and recognizes that facing any kind of remain as they area, but we accept that this is not possible and that we must change can cause instability. If the Cabinet decides to proceed with the welcome change and ensure the best opportunities for the children of the area. proposal, every effort will be made to try to alleviate the change and communicate information in a timely manner to all of the stakeholders who are affected by the proposal. 2.1 5 Who will pay the taxes after you ruin the communities and af ter everyone 1 The Council understands the concerns of the residents of the County who live in leaves? villages and facing change. It must be noted here, however, that the role of schools is not to support communities, but rather to provide high quality education to pupils. 3 Staffing Mat ters 3.1 The decision has made matters more difficult due to the fact that recruitment is 1 At the moment, recruiting head teachers in Meirionnydd is a challenge - this such a problem. As things stand, it is difficult for the school to recruit staff. could be on account of the low population rate and the rural element, but there Retaining the school as a bilingual establishment should make it easier to find could also be a number of other reasons. The Council acknowledges that staff. Employing staff who are willing to learn Welsh would be one option. I appointing a head teacher for the proposed school is going to be challenging believe that there are specific facilities for teachers to learn Welsh available in but it is planning for this. the area – the Council should increase – rather than reduce - the choice of suitably qualified teachers 3.2 The proposal is totally dependent on finding one ‘head teacher’. How much will 2 At present a number of primary school head teachers are teaching for a the salary be? Will salary increases for teachers to reflect additional considerable part of their time and are not sufficiently released for leadership, responsibilities cancel out any predicted savings? The consultation document is management and planning duties. In creating a new leadership and incomplete and incorrect / Finding funding to pay for a new head teacher for a management structure for the proposed school, it will not be necessary for the year prior to the school being opened - can’t you find money to spend wisely on head teacher to teach for most of his/her time. The structure will allow the the Brithdir site as well? / The cost of the ‘management unit’? The same as the development of a site leader / managers who will gain the necessary skills to be ‘management team’? Do the managers, with no costs indicated, have any successful leaders, with a guarantee of support from experienced individuals to qualifications in education? Why cannot one single management structure whom they can turn. supervise maintenance, health and safety and performance management under

the current format? These skills come under Human Resources/Health and Safety If the final decision is to go ahead with the proposal, the task of establishing the and not under Education. This would release teachers and head teachers to shadow governing body and appointing a head teacher will commence. The spend more time teaching and undertaking leadership duties. salary for the post will need to reflect the number of pupils at the school and 3.3 I strongly believe in the schools within the catchment area – very good schools 1 the responsibilities which the post carries. with dedicated, hardworking staff. Schools which have developed over the years It is true that the Cabinet has committed to appointing the head teacher at to face challenges and to adopt the specific ethos of their area. Every one slightly least a year before the All-Through Catchment Area School is established. The different, all implementing individual long term plans and striving to meet the savings made through the plan will fund this but it would not be sufficient to challenges facing the children in their care / Concerned that expertise and special fund the work needed on the Brithdir site. relationships will disappear under the blanket of the lifelong/multi-site school. How will 6 sites share a development plan? At the moment these documents are With regard to the management team, the cost and number of staff in the comprehensive and very relevant to the staff, pupils and governors of the sites. I management team will be decided upon by the shadow governing body. The fully understand that the workload for teachers and head teachers is increasing school’s allocation will be based on pupil numbers in accordance with the excessively. Is this the best way of dealing with this problem? Is ‘one size fits all’ funding formula. The governing body and the head teacher together will decide the best solution for children? what portion of the allocation will be designated to school staff, within the 3.4 It is constantly stated that head teachers spend too much time teaching and not 1 management team and beyond, as is customary in the schools at present.

enough time on ‘leadership’ matters. It should be noted that one of the reasons With reference to the amount of paper work which is at present duplicated in why small schools, such as Ysgol Clogau - where there is a gifted, efficient and different schools – reducing this duplication is one of the efficiency benefits fully motivated head teacher - succeed is because they lead by example. Their predicted as a part of this proposal. The Council would have welcomed any workload is immense and certainly ways should be found for reducing the informal co-operation arrangement between the existing schools with regard to administrative and repetitive workload placed on all schools, and sharing on-line managing paper work, but this does not happen on a voluntary basis resources. Even so, this should not lead to removing them from their posts and throughout the catchment area. installing ‘managers’ in their place in order to achieve small financial savings, but huge leadership losses. We have seen what happened in Ysgol y Gader when a The Council is aware of problems with regard to appointing head teachers and ‘leader’ fails to fulfil his duties. The entire school collapses. ensuring successful leadership and management within the catchment area. Indeed, it was one of the considerations when the different options were appraised. We hope that this proposal will give the head teacher of the new school the best possible opportunities for successful leadership. 3.5 It has been stated that there are problems in terms of finding head teachers. In 1 The current head teacher was appointed in 2003. Over the twelve years that the case of Ysgol Clogau, it has attracted a series of excellent head teachers over have passed since then, the education world and the work conditions for head the years. It might be the size of the school or the fact that it is so much part of teachers and teaching staff alike have changed considerably and many express the community that makes it a viable school. The present head teacher has many the need to rationalise the expectations in order to create sustainable work-life more years of service before reaching retirement age, years where pupils and conditions. parents could benefit from her leadership and expertise. Once again, if we have a worthwhile system, why destroy it? The plan to install a ‘wonderful head teacher’ Over this period there has been increased evidence of a considerable reduction to replace all the current head teachers is a very high risk strategy with far in the number of applications for headships and the possibility of recruiting reaching implications for the entire catchment area, and for both primary and quality experienced staff is causing concern throughout the County. secondary schools.

A head teacher is required to teach, lead and manage the establishment and the requirements are similar across all our schools. In order to do this effectively governors are required to respond to their duty of care for them and ensure appropriate resources which correspond to their employment rights. In order to ensure that a head teacher is ‘leading’ a school efficiently the need for a non-contact post increases, not to preserve the existing standards but to improve them and aim towards the expected high levels. 3.6 The Head Teacher of Brithdir and Ieuan Gwynedd has recently resigned and I 1 It is not possible to comment on individual staff situations but the Council believe that the strain under this situation was an issue in reaching this decision. acknowledges that school reorganisation discussions can create a period of uncertainty. 3.7 One of the Council’s main requirements for the new school is to secure a head 1 It is agreed that appointing a suitable individual for the post of head te acher for teacher of the highest calibre to lead such an innovative establishment. How can the all-through catchment area school is of key importance. It calls for someone the Council hope to attract a head teacher of the required calibre to such a rural with a clear vision, presence when dealing with parents and other key stake area? Much easier to attract a good head teacher to a more urban area than to a holders and the ability to gain respect, collaborate and gain credibility among rural area, especially in view of the problems with secondary education in the staff and pupils on every site within the school. However, it is also believed that catchment area recently. the appointment of enthusiastic, experienced and professional staff members 3.8 ‘The all -through school model should provide a more effective context for 1 on the 6 sites is extremely important and of key importance to the success of managers to manage resources and to plan education within the establishment’ . the new school. Will these managers have a background in education? How will they be With regard to the work load of the Head Teacher, it will be necessary to recruited? If they are not former teachers, how can they be put in charge of ensure that the staffing structure developed will ease the day to day work and education planning? that the work load is shared between the senior management team in order to 3.9 The way that the Education Authority /Gwynedd Council has treated Y Gader 1 ensure that the school is run in the most effective way for the benefit of the catchment area workforce during this process has been degrading and offensive. pupils. For years now, many of the staff have been forced to shoulder the extra load of leadership responsibilities at their schools in addition to their everyday task of Based on lessons learned in other counties and the Council’s experience, the teaching the children. The Education Authority has been very reluctant to offer Cabinet is committing to funding the head teacher for at least one year prior to support and a decision was taken to move all the education offices from the the proposed all-through school being opened. If the Cabinet makes a final southern part of the county to Pwllheli, turning their backs on the areas in the decision to accept the proposal, it will then be possible to start the southern part of the county where the greatest changes were to be faced. Who appointment process. This will allow preparation time so that appointments will be there to support and uphold matters when the All-through School fails? It and a staffing structure can be undertaken and also sufficient time ensured to will be the teachers who will have to face the challenge once again and clear up form strong policies and arrangements before the school opens.

the mess. The appointment of the Headteacher for the new all-through school will be the responsibility of the shadow governing body but it is predicted that the head teacher will be from an educational background, either in the secondary or the primary sector. 3.10 Members of staff have not received any information regarding their future. T he 1 The Council acknowledges that this is a period o f uncertainty which could result ‘clear and open communication’ has not been obvious. Apart from being told in stress. Should the final decision to implement the proposal be made, the

that they can apply for posts after being made redundant, they have not received Council’s Human Resources Service advisors will be available to assist any information or options for their careers. throughout the process. Clear and open communication with staff would be a 3.11 The staff at the schools have no idea if they will be offered jobs at the new 1 core part of implementing any proposal. school, let alone on what site they will be required. Will the county think of The Council has been clear from the start regarding the process - the proposal consistency for our children when they are appointing staff and deciding which includes the closure of every school. Decision on the number and types of posts site they are to work on? Will all this too be in the hands of the governors? at the new school would be a matter for the shadow governing body and the head teacher. Until the new Head Teacher is appointed and a shadow governing body is established, a new staffing structure cannot be formed. 3.12 Section 5:11 page 60 – possibility (and reality) of unemployment and the strain 2 The Council acknowledges that school reorganisation discussions do cause associated with relocation is a high price to pay in a rural area where work is very uncertainty within the catchment area and that the forthcoming period is going hard to find. We note that the Statutory Consultation Document does not give to be uncertain. Since the final decision has not yet been taken, it is not any indication of the possible redundancies/relocations. Barmouth Town Council possible to give detailed information on individual situations. opposes any steps towards staff dismissal/job losses. In terms of the number of jobs which will be lost, it is also premature to note 3.13 The present situation has placed excessive strain on staff, parents and governors 2 this because the staffing structure for the new school will be a matter for the for ten years. The children’s education has not suffered and this is because the shadow governing body. If the final decision is made to implement the staff have remained at Brithdir through thick and thin. Their reward – losing their proposal, consultants from the Council’s Human Resources Service will be at jobs without any assurance of a future in the new regime. Where is the fair play hand to offer advice and assistance throughout the process. A number of in all this? / There are many reasons why Ysgol Brithdir is so successful. Most meetings have been held and advice given to staff in connection with the important is consistency among the special teaching staff. Every pupil is given a development of an Area School for Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel over the firm, strong educational foundation so that they develop through the school on a last 6 months, and this help will be available to the staff of schools in Y Gader planned learning journey. catchment area. The Cabinet will need to be aware of the need for support 3.14 Following the experience of educational reorganisation, I know that it has a very 1 from the Council’s Human Resources Consultation Service in view of the fact negative impact on the morale of teaching staff, managers and pupils. that the staff of 10 schools will need advice if the proposal is implemented.

Unfortunately it is not possible to know the details of individual staff situations until the decision has been taken. Consultants from the Council’s Human Resources Service were available during the open days of the statutory consultation period to explain the process and explain what help is available throughout every step of the process. 3.15 How will it be possible to lead 6 sites efficiently? The distance between the sites 1 We accept that there is a distance of 14 miles between the sites of Friog and of the All-through School is immense e.g. there are 16 miles between the site at Rhydymain, but the model does not of necessity mean that staff members have Friog and the site at Rhydymain. to travel to each site every day. Any travelling undertaken by staff will need to be planned carefully and a staffing structure will be of core importance in ensuring that all the sites are under efficient leadership. A head teacher’s presence is not needed on every site every day; if efficient staff are appointed for the various sites it will be possible for the head teacher to distance manage some sites.

3.16 In terms of resources, as stated in the Savings and Budgets section, the Council is 1 The service agreements correspond to approximately 17% of the school budge t. responsible for managing 80-90% of the budget through service agreements, With regard to the management team, the cost and the number of staff within therefore what is left for these ‘managers’ to manage? How many managers will the management team will depend on the shadow governing body. The there be and how much will they cost? It appears that there are no figures or allocation for the school will be based on the number of pupils, in accordance information on this. / Currently 80-90% of the schools budget is under the with the funding formula. The governing body and the head teacher will decide control of Gwynedd through their 'Service Agreements'. In a recent survey by the together what part of the allocation is apportioned to school staff, to the Council, Ysgol Clogau was being run in a highly effective way and was not in a management team and to other headings, as is the case in the schools at position to make further savings. A recent example of the additional costs that present. Gwynedd added to each school from April 2015 is £1,200 a year for 'broadband'. The school cannot afford to pay for this and in fact, has sufficient access to the The additional broadband development the Welsh Government expects from internet and therefore consider this expenditure as unnecessary and therefore all Authorities and the technology is crucial to enable schools to operate in the will ask not to get broadband. medium term and to create savings in due course. 4 The Welsh Language 4.1 Writing to object to the official decision to close Y Gader school and re -open it as 4 Parents and pupils can choose a school for many different reasons, and the se a Welsh medium school. Our children attend the school - one has chosen to reason s can change over time. follow GCSE in English while the other takes subjects through the medium of Welsh. Perfectly happy with this and this is their right and their choice. Dolgellau Language status is a technical term, requiring identification when creating a is a naturally bilingual area, and some other towns and villages in the area are new school in accordance with the School Organisation Code (006/2013) and much more English. Making the school Welsh medium would anger the pupils of the Government's guidance document, "Defining schools according to Welsh those areas, encouraging them to move to other schools that are more medium provision" (023/2007). considerate of pupil choice. This will have an impact on the school budget and lead to less choice in managing to attract teachers and providing resources that Gwynedd Council’s Education Lan guage Policy (Welsh in Education 2014-17 will have an impact on the children and on the quality of education they receive. Strategic Plan) applies to all schools in the county and means that the re are That's not acceptable / Almost certainly we will move my children to another the same linguistic expectations at every school. The objective of the policy is - school if this decision is implemented against my will. I'm not the only parent "The Language Policy is to ensure that all pupils in the county have the who feels that this is not right. Preventing parents and pupils from having a basic choice is wrong / Object because I was not informed that this would happen appropriate language skills in English and Welsh. The expectation is the same when I registered my child for Y Gader school. I did not know that there was an for each school ... although the overall aim of the Policy is bilingualism, the intention to close the school and reopen it as a Welsh medium school in GCSE weight is biased in favo ur of the Welsh language in the early years in order to year. If I had been told that, I DEFINITELY would not have gone to school. Feel I provide a sound foundation for further development. In the other key stages have been very seriously misled / In a country where there are two first schools are expected to plan purposefully to develop pupils' grasp of Welsh ... languages, why should a new school change its status from a bilingual school to all education institutions are expected to reflect and reinforce the County Welsh medium school? Is not this a contradiction of what is expressed in Section Language Policy in their administration, their social life and pastoral 5: 1, page 32, that "the Council is committed to providing the highest quality arrangements as well as in their curricular provision ... ", so language status is education possible .... to become bilingual, successful and versatile citizens " / If a technical issue in Gwynedd. Dolgellau was a bigger town, then it might be beneficial to have a Welsh medium school and a bilingual school. But it is not so, and the only sensible decision would be to keep the school bilingual. Offering a choice in this matter is the An independent assessment was commissioned to assess the linguistic sensible way forward. My children are fluent in both languages and that is what models considered in the Gade r catchment area . The assessment identifie d my husband and I want, and I hope they remember their roots and Welsh the inconsistency within the catchment area as regards the Welsh language, language throughout their life. But what is most important to me is to give my but it also saw an opportunity to move forward with the preferred model by children the best possible education from the best teachers. I want them to be creating a Welsh medium school 3-16: "Model 8: All-through Catchment -area able to compete in the global market and be educated, complete members of school on the sites of the present schools - Y Gader, Dolgellau Primary, Friog society. That should be the only goal by the Council. The language used in their lessons is secondary. Quality of education and qualifications are important. In and Dinas Mawddwy and the closure of Ganllwyd, Clogau, Machreth and subjects such as Maths and Sciences, the ability to study and gain a qualification Brithdir schools. One head, one governing body. A judgement of the positive in Welsh is of no importance to employers and universities. A good degree is impact that offers the opportunity to ensure consistency across the whole what counts. Good grades need good teachers. It's that simple / Of the 39% of catchment area . While it is not possible to place each model in scoring order as students attending Y Gader school from outside the catchment area, 80 come regards language impact, we conclude that this model offers particular from Barmouth - approximately 20% of the school population. The fact that Y advantages in the planning and provision of statutory education which will be Gader school is a naturally bilingual community comprehensive school makes the consistent and derive from a complete vision rather than addressing the school more attractive and acceptable to Barmouth families. The proposal diverse number of organizations that will, inevitably, have varying views as outlined in Section 5 on page 30 means the establishment of a Welsh Medium regard s aspiration s to achieve the county education language policy and the all-through catchment-area school 3-16 on six sites - Barmouth Town Council is creation of highly skilled young bilingual citizens. In a catchment area where against the proposed change from a bilingual to a Welsh school / A Welsh Welsh faces many basic challenges, perhaps indeed pla nning provision on the medium school is not going to be acceptable to people considering moving into basis of one organizational vision is the best way to try to achieve the language the area during the period of their children's education. They will be enrolled in bilingual schools in order to cause as little disruption as possible to their policy , using the larger staffing resources learn ing more than one education. The town is trying hard to get people to work as doctors here - this organization would have for the best use across different sites of the decision will prevent families who do not speak Welsh from moving here from catchment area." other parts of Wales, or from areas beyond. Is this the intention of the Council? / Equal opportunity must be given for our children as all other children, not only in In terms of awareness of the proposal and the change of status Y Gader Gwynedd but also in Wales, the UK and the rest of the world. Let them do their school, catchment reorganization discussions have been ongoing for some best work in whatever language. That's all that's important. Will you reconsider time. PAD meetings and emails have been released during the process, as the the decision on language? / It was suggested by a local councillor that there is initial research has been completed, when develop ing and evaluating the now a policy that schools in Gwynedd must be Welsh medium schools, and that models and during the statutory processes. The status and date of there is no choice to have a bilingual secondary school. Is this true? The School implementation of the proposal is part of the statutory consultation document Organisation Code states: and statutory notices. If the Cabinet continue s with the proposal, there will "Proposals should ensure that the balance of school provision reflects the balance be a transition al period between the final decision and implementation of the of the demand. This means, if the provision of school is reduced or eliminated, the proposal in September 2017. Every effort will be made to minimize any school should ensure that alternative provision of the same nature (language negative impact on the pupils of the schools in this transitional period, including category or, if applicable, the religious character) is available to pupils in the local pupils sitting important examinations such as GCSE . area, wherever possible ". / Where will the bilingual provision at secondary school level be in the area? When during the Consultation Process was there a

real discussion on the issue of changing the language of the secondary school? It Given that all the primary schools all Welsh medium schools, giving the was not discussed, and no language provisions were presented with model 8. A primary sector a bilingual status would have a negative impact on the Welsh bilingual or Welsh-medium model was not proposed. language. In line with projections in September 2017 , there are more primary 4.2 Welsh second language learning should be a pleasure, it should not be enforced 1 pupils than secondary. In practice there will not be a change in the day to due to wrong and unwise decisions. Pupils respond to encouragement not day language provided to secondary pupils, as there will be a need to coercion. provide education in a medium that responds to the demographic cross- section of the catchment area.

One of the challenges of establishing the all-through catchment -area school will be establish ing the right linguistic structure , across the age sector s. Responding to the challenge and the implementation of the Language Policy will be in the hands of the Head and the Governing Body, assisted by the Authority. There will be a need to implement Gwynedd Council’s Language Policy appropriately and in a way that responds to the challenge in the language assessment. 4.3 My children amaze me – when we moved here I was concerned about their 5 The Council is pleased that Ysgol Clogau was praised as regards the ability to learn to speak Welsh. After a year in Ysgol Clogau, they are fluent. I am standard of Welsh language teaching. The Council hopes "that all pupils in so proud of that. I do not consider that bigger classes are going to improve my the county have the appropriate language skills in English and Welsh". children learning Welsh - the opposite is true in my opinion / Families who have According to the Council’s Language Policy "the overall goal of the Policy is recently moved into the area say that their children become fluent in Welsh bilingualism ," but "the weight is biased in favo ur of the Welsh language in the thanks to the support they receive in Ysgol Clogau / Estyn found that Ysgol early years in order to provide a sound foundation for further Clogau was special as regards promoting bilingualism, and that 90% of pupils speak Welsh to first language standard, although only 5% of pupils come from development ." homes where Welsh is the main language - an example of teaching excellence and leadership in Ysgol Clogau / It is a fact that because children are fluent in It is hoped that the All-through Catchment -area school will build upon the Welsh it makes a huge difference to their education. Children who do not speak current standard of the Welsh Language and that it standardises language Welsh at home are immersed in the language, and it becomes a living language teaching over the catchment. In fact, according to the independent assessment to them. language that was carried out , this proposal would "have a positive effect on the language and the opportunity to ensure consistency across the whole catchment area." 4.4 My children grew to be fluent Welsh speakers in Ysgol Brithdir , although the 4 The Council is pleased that Ysgol Brithdir was praised as regards the Welsh language was not the home language, and they have all gone on to standard of Welsh language teaching . Hopefully, these procedures will be successful careers in their areas of expertise / Ysgol Brithdir is a successful school implemented consistently in each site across the catchment. with a strong contribution to make our community. The Welsh language thrives in this school and the children's confidence is very obvious. / Very good school We see that a number of objections mention the importance of rural education. (Brithdir) and the Welsh language is given proper attention. / We had quality

Welsh medium rural education in Brithdir and Welsh was given priority as no one The Council is committed to continuing with rural educa tion in the area, by was allowed to speak English on the playground or inside the class except in the continuing with the Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd, Rhydymain and Friog sites. English lessons. The children who could not speak the language left school at the end of year 6 speaking the language fluently. As regards the decision related to the selection of the rural site, there are a 4.5 According to the Council 'conserving and sustaining the Welsh language is an 10 number of reasons and information that must be considered. essential element of their work'. It is the catchment’s rural schools that are maintaining the Welsh language. 93% of pupils are fluent in Welsh at Brithdir - The Council is aware that there are a number of qualities in favour of Brithdir must ensure that this continues on the eastern site. / Anxious that if the site, in fact, this is why the site was proposed as part of the previous proposal in Rhydymain site fails, then governors can decide to close the site and send 2011. Unfortunately, the Council needed to consider other sites. everyone to the town. What percentage will be fluent in Welsh then? Percentage of those who are fluent in Welsh is significantly lower in the town. Welsh is not a Developing the school on the Rhydymain site will continue to provide a rural living language in the playgrounds of the bigger schools, where English is so education. The hope is that it bringing more children together in one site will strong. Looking to the future and the failure of Rhydymain site, the Council reinforce the Language Policy. The success and quality of any school depends cannot say that they promote or strengthen the language. Why close the on the quality of staff and leadership, parental support and effective accessible and viable site that is 'promoting and strengthening the language' and implementation by the governors. move to site that is unsustainable, according to the Council’s statement? / Believe that Ysgol Brithdir is much more sustainable in terms of pupil numbers In terms of the proposal, it must be remembered that all the schools in the area and gives a choice of a more Welsh school and a local nursery near Dolgellau / will be closed and the Rhydymain site will open as one of the sites; Ieuan Council with the majority Plaid councillors, what on earth do you think is to be Gwynedd school will not continue in its present form. There is no evidence to gained through closing successful rural schools where the balance between suggest that the proposal would have a negative impact on the Welsh language. Welsh speakers and non-Welsh speakers is leading to more Welsh, not less, as In fact according to the independent assessment language carried out, this will happen when (not if) many Brithdir and Llanfachreth children go to the proposal would "have a positive effect on the language and the opportunity to Primary School in the town of Dolgellau and not to Rhydymain. Where is your ensure consistency across the whole catchment area." vision? There is a saying in Welsh that loosely translates as "breaking your leg to save your shoe" - that is what you are doing with this proposal./ A rural school is The protection and maintenance of the Welsh language is an essential element a stronghold of the Welsh language. / Object to the development of Rhydymain of the Council's work to ensure that Gwynedd remains a stronghold of the site as we see that it will have a negative impact on the Welsh language. Rural Welsh language. There are ongoing challenges for the Language, but the education maintains and strengthens the Welshness of the area. How can you Council’s Education Language Policy states that "in addition to developing locate a school on the outskirts of the catchment area, and then expect parents pupils' proficiency in both languages, all education institutions are expected to to support that? The success of the site depends on the numbers in Ysgol reflect and reinforce the County Language Policy in their administration, their Brithdir, what if parents are not happy for their children to travel so far, they social life and their pastoral arrangements as well as in their curricular provision would have to take their children to the site in the town. It is governors who ... schools are expected to plan intentionally in order to develop pupils' grasp of decide on access to schools and Brithdir children are geographically closer to the Welsh”. town than to the Rhydymain site. Welsh is not as strong in the town with 34% fluent, compared with 93% in Ysgol Brithdir. This is another clear statistic It is hoped that the All-through catchment-area school will build upon the showing that the rural site must be accessible and viable to maintain the present standard of the Welsh language and standardise the language teaching Welshness of the area. It is nonsense to think that these children will change the across the catchment area.

town to be one with a living Welsh language. Time and again we see the Welsh being diluted and lost and ceasing to be a living language in the playground / It is the rural schools in this catchment area which underpin Welsh. 93% of Ysgol Brithdir children are fluent in Welsh / Closing Ysgol Brithdir without valid reasons is one of the biggest mistakes the Council will make in keeping rural education in the Gader catchment area, and keeping the Welsh language strong / The leadership of Gwynedd Council has said that there is a need to "seek a solution that is viable [ and] ... that makes sense within the respective geographical communities." Closing Ysgol Brithdir and moving to Rhydymain site is not a viable proposal and does not make geographical sense. And if the school in Rhydymain fails, where will rural children go then? There will not be a rural option left, they will have to go to primary school in the town, and although in all fairness to the children and teachers there, this is an Anglicised school in comparison to rural schools in the catchment area. How does this promote and strengthen the Welsh language in the long term?/ Language of the playground – geographically, will some sites be Welsh than other sites?/ In the latest edition of Gwynedd News, you emphasize the importance of promoting the Welsh language, and encouraging non-Welsh speaking children to learn. Where better to do this than in that school where Welsh is used on the playground? Child has attended Brithdir and as we come from a different country, it was very difficult for her to attend school speaking another language. Very happy to see how welcoming the pupils and teachers were - they helped her to adapt to their school and new language. She learned Welsh and English very quickly. Teachers have been welcoming and the child loves school. 4.6 They will lose the language because Y Gader school is very Anglicised and does 2 The Council proposes to create an All -through catchment -area school with a not place any kind of emphasis on the importance of speaking Welsh. So the Welsh-medium status. If the Cabinet decides to proceed with the proposal, one work of Brithdir teachers will be worthless. I was a pupil in Y Gader school and of the challenges of establishing the All-through catchment-area school would when I got there at 11 years of age, the school was so Anglicised that I felt I was be to establish the right linguistic structure right across the age sectors. at school in England. But, I was fortunate enough to have a small group of friends Responding to the challenge and the implementation of the Language Policy who were willing to speak Welsh in the school / So why send children to school will be in the hands of the Head and the Governing Body, assisted by the catchment area where the language is deteriorating, to be Anglicized?/Hearing Authority. There will be a need to implement Gwynedd Council’s Language pupils of Y Gader school on the street in Dolgellau made me think I was in Policy appropriately and in a way that responds to the challenge in the England / I went to Berwyn school in Bala to do my A levels and the difference in language assessment. the use of the language was unbelievable, and within a year my Welsh had improved. 4.7 Paragraph beginning "A number of pupils at Y Gader school has increased ...." 1 Parents can choose a school their children for many different reasons, (e.g. The comment "The increase could be due to various reasons ..." is completely family circumstances, work location, care arrangements, geography - proximity

disingenuous. For this consultation and the proposed change to be fair to those to home, health issues, welfare issues, the child’s choice etc ) and these reasons outside the catchment area, we must know NOW why 39% of the school can change over time. population comes from outside the catchment area, and that these reasons will be considered - especially when it relates to the current bilingual nature of the Legally all schools throughout Gwynedd have to have a designated linguistic school (a significant factor in the high number of young people who attend status and each school has to implement the Council’s Language Policy and "the school from Barmouth). overall aim of the Policy is bilingualism, the weight is biased in favour of the Welsh language in the early years in order to provide a sound foundation for further development. In the other key stages schools are expected to plan purposefully to develop pupils' grasp of Welsh ... all education institutions are expected to reflect and reinforce the County Language Policy in their administration, their social life and pastoral arrangements as well as in their curricular provision…."

Given that all the primary schools all Welsh medium schools, giving the primary sector a bilingual status would have a negative impact on the Welsh language. In line with projections in September 2017, there are more primary pupils than secondary. In practice there will not be a change in the day to day language provided to secondary pupils, as there will be a need to provide education in a medium that responds to the demand.

One of the challenges of establishing the all-through catchment-area school will be establishing the right linguistic structure, across the age sectors. Responding to the challenge and the implementation of the Language Policy will be in the hands of the Head and the Governing Body, assisted by the Authority. There will be a need to implement Gwynedd Council’s Language Policy appropriately and in a way that responds to the challenge in the language assessment. 4. 8 The figures in the table on page 57 of the Consultation Document do not make 1 When completing research before starting the process, catchment area heads sense. The totals are incorrect and the figures for Ysgol Clogau are wrong were given the opportunity to check the statistics in the statistical package. As the statutory process takes time, a snapshot was taken of the data for one Do not Speak academic year (2013/14) and then these were used consistently, to avoid any Do not Speak speak Welsh confusion. The consultation document therefore includes information about speak Do not Welsh Welsh at pupils’ language that is based on September 2013 data. Scho Welsh at speak fluentl at home Total ol home any y at home but and not Welsh home but not fluent fluent fluent Clog 2 12 11 3 0 28

au Fluent Wel sh - 14 Dome Welsh - 14 No Welsh - 0

4. 9 We apologize that this appeal letter in not in Welsh and English. Because of the 1 There is no need to provide a translation; the objections will be received in VERY tight schedule for collecting facts, it has not been possible to translate Welsh or English. The objection period was held for 28 days, according to the everything in good time. We can however provide a translation if necessary. School Organisation Code. The outline timetable was provided in the statutory consultation document and several emails were sent to members of PAD to forewarn them that the objection period would begin shortly. 5 Transport and Travel 5.1 Are we really expected to send our small children on a bus? Children 4 years of 4 It is not intended to put pupils of primary school age (4 -11) and secondary age having to travel with 16 year olds? I believe that this is a safety issue – have school age (11-16) on the same bus together. It is expected that children and the bus drivers been checked? And this could cause major problems in terms of young people will behave appropriately when using school transport, more bullying. And young children feeling afraid and not wanting to go to school? / information is available in the statutory guidance on the travel behavioural Transport is another area of concern for parents of Ysgol Clogau. With children code (December 2009), Welsh Government. The Council will ensure that every from 3 to 16 years old travelling together, there are concerns that there are more bus driver has had a Disclosure and Barring Service check. opportunities for older children to humiliate younger children. 5.2 Huge costs involved with transport/ Where is all the money comi ng from to pay 3 It is anticipated that this proposal will provide savings of approximately for transport and building the new school, even though we have been told that it £255,625 revenue. This after considering transportation costs associated with is too expensive to keep current schools open? / The implications of travel in implementation of the proposal. terms of cost, time, safety and environmental requirements cause concern. 5.3 While the children and teachers travel from site to site, teaching time is lost / 3 The Council recognizes that it is important to pay attention to travel times as Teaching time would also be lost if teachers had to travel; you are 'hoping' that well as the distances - indeed travel time is considered as part of the this can be timetabled. It is not you but the head who will have to act on your assessment options. decisions / the Rhydymain site is not central and there are future implications in terms of travel costs to this site, as the Council provision will be to the nearest As part of this model, it is not expected that pupils will travel from one site to school. While the children are travelling, teaching time is lost. another on a daily basis. Pupils attend one site on a daily basis and occasionally may attend the secondary site for specialist lessons. It is anticipated that it will be staff rather than pupils who move sites.

Referring to the carbon footprint and environmental issues, it needs to be considered that 4 educational sites will close, and so it will mean fewer sites to heat etc. The Council always encourages car sharing to work, and some staff will be able to do this if the model is realized 5.4 One school across an area of 16 miles between the two farthest sites is 3 The Council has considered the distances and travel times as part of the impractical. / There are gross inconsistencies in the Council’s implementation and evaluation of the options so that the preferred option meets the rural needs of everyone is losing faith. There is not enough evidence to support the proposal the catchment area. The times and travel distances are based on an average of that an All-through School on 6 sites would work. The sites are too far from each three electronic 'route planners' for consistency. other. There are not enough days in the week for all sites to receive attention

from the leader, even weekly! / Have the summer months’ traffic and bustle The Federation of Schools in the Upper Afan Valley is formal federation of four been considered in these journey times? (Section 5: 6 pg 51) / If this model is to primary schools and one secondary school. The head of the Federation until have any chance of success, the option to protect rural education must be December 2014 was Mike Tate, and he was invited to open days at Dolgellau practical. The rural site must be accessible from the more populated towns. statutory consultation on the 5th and 6th of November in order to share his 5.5 It was an insult to be shown other multi site schools that have succeeded as they 3 experience and provide an opportunity for the public to hear about new only have the multi-site element in common. What is planned here has many models and innovative ways of delivering education in other parts of Wales. Of more sites, not like the 2-site schools identified in the council's response. There course, a model that works in one area does not necessarily work in another are long distances between sites in model 8, and according to the head of a area, but it is possible to share experiences and good practice and apply those multi-site school in South Wales, the proximity of the sites was one of the main elements to areas within Gwynedd. reasons for its success. There were about 4 miles between the sites, there are nearly 20 miles between the sites in model 8, how can you compare? How can The Gader catchment area is rural and geographically widespread, which you guarantee that this model will succeed?/ Mr Mike Tate, head of the Upper means that consideration of transport and travel times is essential. In some Afan Valley Federation of Schools, was sent to open days to try and persuade cases, although the distances are short, the state and the nature of the roads parents and the community that the new model will succeed. The five sites of the mean that the journey takes longer than expected. Federation are all within 5 km of each other. There are 30 kilometres between the six sites within the catchment model in the Gader area (Dinas to Rhydymain - In terms of distance travelled, the Council anticipates that pupils who attend 19.8 km; 30.7 km Dinas to Fairbourne). What is the sense in comparing the two Ysgol Ganllwyd and Ysgol Clogau currently could travel to the Llanelltyd site, areas? One is an urban area and the other a sparse rural area, with narrow and pupils who attend Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Machreth could travel to the winding roads and two steep passes / There are no examples where we can see Rhydymain site. The Authority will control admission to the school and this model in place. Estyn says , ‘the proposer does not note examples within the governors will decide on admission to specific sites. To ensure that local authority or beyond where such arrangements have led to improved implementation of the proposal does not go beyond the travel time policy (no provision in the Foundation Phase and in each stage’. more than 45 minutes one way), we used the travel times of the farthest places in the area to estimate the travel time (see Maps on page 53 in the Gader Catchment Area Schools Statutory Consultation Document). 5.6 How on earth will the roads accommodate more buses and taxis etc. to provide 2 As part of this model, it is not expected that pupils will travel from one site to school transport / Do school costs include the constant journeys for early years another on a daily basis. Pupils attend one site on a daily basis and occasionally pupils to secondary school in order to share resources such as music, science? may attend the secondary site for specialist lessons. It is anticipated that it will Given that two-way journey from the secondary school to Ysgol Clogau currently be staff rather than pupils who move sites. The frequency and the associated costs £120 on a bus, this would significantly affect the costs? Where are these cost will depend on the decisions of the shadow governing body. Perhaps if a estimates? How much consideration has been given to after-school activities? / decision is made to establish a regular pattern on a term basis, it would be There has been an increase in families in Bontddu, have the figures been possible to have an agreement with local buses. The shadow governing body considered in providing transport for them? / Has the Council considered the will need to have these discussions, if there is a decision to continue with the evidence in the report "On the Relationship Between the School Journey and proposal Social and Emotional adjustments" (Professor Terence Lee, published in "The British Journal of Educational Psychology") - "We found clear evidence of negative It is anticipated that this proposal provides savings of approximately £255,625 social and emotional effects on children, especially younger boys "/ The Scottish revenue. This is after considering transportation costs associated with Rural Schools Network ( SRSN) published a report looking at the actual facts of implementation of the proposal. The £255,625 was calculated after considering

costs. As regards School Transport it found the following: "The increase in costs the multi -site factor and its qualities, and also following consideration of consistently exceeds the potential savings in teaching staff (usually the main additional transport costs. The technical component of a funding allocation element in potential savings)"/ Transportation costs reach £75,000, but these method will be resolved by an all-through school formula, which is already figures do not include additional transport costs for travel to Y Gader school to being developed, in accordance with Section 52 of the School Standards and use the facilities. If we estimate £2,000 per pupil for 5 mile journey per annum, Framework Act 1998. that means transporting 37.5 pupils per year, except for trips to Y Gader school (using fuel costs in 2010 and NASS figures). Dijon University study (rural area in France) "looking at the impact of closing 22 out of 50 small schools and transporting the children to the other 28. After 10 years, we found that the transport costs were almost as much that it would have been cheaper to keep the 22 open - and it is significant." / Taken from the National Small Schools association paper "The Case against small schools, alleging unacceptable costs". Studies in Scotland show that in many villages where schools were closed, it would have cost more to maintain a bus and driver than to provide light, heat and to clean the building. Is this the case in Wales, and is this our situation? 5.7 If so many schools in the area are on the closure list, why decide to expand 14 The Council recognizes that more children live closer to Brithdir site; in fact, Rhydymain, with only 18 pupils and definitely not geographically central - which this was part of the reason why the site at Brithdir was put forward as part of would include more travel (carbon footprint) for everyone? I marvel at the the previous proposal. Unfortunately, developing the Brithdir site is no longer a apparent stupidity. / Site of Ieuan Gwynedd school in Rhydymain is not possible option. sustainable for the future. What’s the point of relocation and reorganization to make savings if your current proposal does not continue in the long term, putting The Council is committed to maintaining rural education and it does so by the whole model at risk? The main reasons why we believe that Ieuan Gwynedd including Rhydymain as part of the preferred model. This gives a rural school Rhydymain is not sustainable for the future is the travelling distance and education option to the Eastern catchment area. The Council has provided location, its continuing deterioration since 1975 in terms of numbers, location of plenty of places for all the existing pupils Brithdir, Ieuan Gwynedd and children's homes in the catchment area, and parental choice /Intention to Machreth on the Rhydymain site. maintain rural education in Rhydymain; is this sustainable? There are very few children who live closer to Rhydymain than Dolgellau / Lots more children (84%) The sustainability of the Rhydymain site is more viable following the proposed live closer to Ysgol Brithdir than to Ysgol Rhydymain - much less travel (children investment. Of course choosing a site is subject to parental choice and decision and distance) and reducing the carbon footprint which is supposed to be an of the governors. The message that has been received during discussions is important factor. Ysgol Rhydymain is on the edge of the catchment area - the that there is a need to continue to provide rural education. If there is local Council said it would not be in favour of a school on the outskirts - it is contrary desire to keep rural education, the hope is that parents will support the to Gwynedd Council policy / Ysgol Brithdir is full of children. Saw an increase of educational site at Rhydymain. By bringing children of the local areas 119% between 1975 and 2013, and it has 44 children at the moment. Ysgol (Machreth, Brithdir and Rhydymain) together in one site, it is hoped that the Brithdir is central. / 24 of the children live less than a mile and a half from school school will be prosperous. If the parents of the town continue to choose rural and 3 children under school age do not show in your figures / 24 children live education for their children, despite the distance, this will further contribute to within a mile and a half to school. 44 children/ The others are transported at no the sustainability of the site. cost to the Council. Parents bring their children to their school of choice. Parents

obviously choose Brithdir, because it is here we see the numbers. The Council has As part of this model, it is not expected that pupils will travel from one site to recognized that Brithdir was previously the sustainable site. Brithdir numbers another on a daily basis. Pupils attend one site on a daily basis and occasionally have been consistently high for years now. / You go against a lot of your own may attend the secondary site for specialist lessons. It is anticipated that it will policies in developing Ieuan Gwynedd school rather than Ysgol Brithdir, e.g. the be staff rather than pupils who move sites closure of schools with surplus places, location of schools, the democratic process, not to mention refusing the right of parents to choose schools for their The frequency and the associated cost will depend on the decisions of the children. What is the point of your policies if savings are paramount? / In order to shadow governing body. Perhaps if a decision is made to establish a regular have equal opportunities in terms of resources Rhydymain site children would pattern on a term basis, it would be possible to have an agreement with local have to travel to the town. Teaching time will be lost by making the children buses. The shadow governing body will need to have these discussions, if there travel, putting them at a disadvantage once again. If children have to travel is a decision to continue with the proposal. would it not make sense for them to travel from Brithdir site as it is closer? Less teaching time, there would be lower travel costs, and pollution levels would be Gwynedd Council is keen to see every child in the County being offered the lower. All these facts clearly show that Brithdir site is a sensible option / Parental same educational provision and opportunities. As such, this proposal to choice - we know that they are ready to come to Brithdir and there has been no provide primary education at 5 sites rather than 9 will mean improved reduction in the number of children who want to come to Brithdir despite the resources, storage resources, library, IT, hall and a playing field. uncertain situation. Other schools have suffered - e.g. Llanfachreth, but the uncertainty seems to have strengthened Brithdir. Parents support the Seren Fach In terms of transport costs, it is true that there is some increase in transport nursery and feel it is convenient. Having to come to Brithdir to use the Nursery costs, compared to the current situation but this proposal will continue to be and then having to travel to Rhydymain is not as attractive or cost effective. / The the most cost-efficient model. It is anticipated that this proposal will provide proposal does not provide equal opportunities for Brithdir pupils as they will savings of approximately £255,625 revenue. This is after considering the have to travel to one end of the catchment area to reach the site and then travel transportation costs associated with implementation of the proposal. back then to pursue specialized activities in the town as there will be no resources on the Rhydymain site! In addition to creating savings, the proposal will ensure that the cost per pupil is 5.8 Chief Executive himself has said there needs to be a viable solution for the 2 standardised across the whole catchment area, allowing for fairness and future. We quote his own words, that [it is necessary] "to seek a solution that is equality for all. viable in terms of the quality of [the] education and the cost of the provision ... which makes sense within the respective geographical communities." Closing Ysgol Brithdir and moving to Ysgol Rhydymain is not a viable proposal nor does it make sense geographically. You cannot convince parents and children of Ysgol Brithdir that they are moving to a better place. Perhaps some parents will send their children to Ysgol Rhydymain in the short term, but in the long term parents will not send their children there, as has happened over many years. What good is a school without children? / How can you contradict what your Chief Executive has said, that there needs to be a viable solution for the future that makes sense within the respective geographic communities? / There is a geographical reason why Ieuan Gwynedd school fails - what has changed? 6 Site and Construction Matters

6.1 We all feel all that we have been cheated out of our development that could 16 A private company - Betts Geo -environmental Company – was commissioned to have gone ahead if the intent was there. First, there was the unfortunate issue of complete the ground work on a site adjacent to Ysgol Brithdir. The specialist the nearby field that was to be used for an extension to the school being company decided to use a toothless bucket to excavate the land - the reason unsuitable because of 'hard rock' (that did not exist) in the field (used by for this being that the area was within a specific distance to an archaeological Gwynedd Council in order to justify a change of heart on the decision to build an site. Using a bucket fitted with teeth would probably destroy any archaeological extension to the school). Secondly, Snowdonia National Park was blamed for remains and this is a crime. This is the type of equipment used by every refusing the plans (the Park has denied this!). This is totally unacceptable specialist company in a situation such as this one – the purpose of the behaviour by a Council which should represent the community and wishes of the inspection was to reach the rock level, not to try and dig through it, therefore members of that community /U-turn in the decision has caused great contention the use of a toothless bucket was completely rational. in the community of Brithdir, not only because it is contrary to statistics and values identified in the original report. In addition, the Council has failed to The Geo-tech report confirms that rock was encountered 1 metre below ground submit any sensible or satisfactory reason why the sudden change of mind. level – the term ‘rock’ is used to describe the formation of the material below Following challenging the rock issue, we were told that there was some ground – it is not of necessity solid rock. The increase in cost was of course a disagreement with the views of the Snowdonia National Park as the Planning combination of more than one factor including digging the material from the Authority. This reason is inconsistent with the National Park’s statement/ Excuses site, the cost of installing services through the material, the cost of draining were used for rejecting plans to extend this good school and therefore ensure its through the material, the new requirements stipulated by the Government future, but they are just excuses / According to the architects in their previous (including a larger surface area and a complicated link between the two levels report, it was noted that Ysgol Brithdir building was the most suitable for of the site) etc. development although it is older. There was no evidence of unfitness of Brithdir site as regards building an extension to facilitate the work of the school. A report following this work has been shared with the residents of Brithdir According to the PAD meeting and the open meetings at the Glan Wnion Leisure following a freedom of information request. Centre, we understand that the National Park is ready to discuss and adapt the plan for Brithdir /What is the real reason for changing the 2010 decision The presence of rock structure is not the only reason, nor indeed the main promising a new school to Brithdir?/ I work in construction and plant hire and I reason for the Cabinet’s decision to bring the latest process to an end. know that Ysgol Brithdir is convenient for development. When the road past Ysgol Brithdir was redone, there were no problems with rocks / Shame on you See below a section of the report submitted to the Council Cabinet in July 2013: that you have behaved in such a way. Someone somewhere is telling huge lies and it is a disgrace the way we have been misled / Ysgol Brithdir parents were “Statutory consultation took place on the proposal to implement the plan in the told by Gwynedd Council officers in the open night on Thursday 6 November Brithdir and Dinas Mawddwy area and a report was submitted to the Full 2014 that it is NOT the rock and the cost that is the main problem, but rather Council in December 2011. Because objections had been received the matter that getting planning permission would have been nearly impossible. We all was transferred to the Minister for Education at the Welsh Government for a thought that it was the rock and the cost of rock excavation that was the main problem - this is what Gwynedd Council says on its website in the Archive: final decision. In November 2012 a decision in favour of the proposal was 'Meanwhile, considerable background work was done to develop the plan, paying announced. close attention to the geology of the site and planning issues. Unfortunately, significant limitations and problems were discovered which meant a significant In the meantime, detailed work was carried out on the site at Ysgol Brithdir and increase in the cost of developing the site and it was decided not to continue with

the proposal to establish a District Multi -site school at Brithdir and Dinas substantial problems and obstacles were encountered in terms of developing Mawddwy. ' the Brithdir site - these involved matters appertaining to planning and funding. In total contradiction to this, an e-mail by the Property Department on 5 Since the consultation period and as the designs were being developed, it November 2014 says: became obvious that planning permission would be almost impossible to obtain. First of all I should point out one issue. It is not the presence of the rock that is the only reason or indeed the main reason for the Cabinet decision to draw the latest It was noted that the land level would have to be substantially lowered before process to a close. construction could commence and since the area was very rocky it involve [and it goes on to explain] considerable cost. During the same period it became apparent that the technical The significant risk of failing to get planning permission come what may. During requirements imposed by the Government had changed and that the extension the design phase, the views of the planning officers became much more negative would have to provide more space. As a result, what is now being considered is than at the time of consultation and they were getting more anxious as time went different to what was discussed during the consultation, the cost would be on. We had reached a point where the chance of success was small if not higher and also there would be a trong risk that planning permission would not impossible. This is the main reason therefore, that cannot be overcome by finance of course. ' be obtained. The concern is that the additional money would be spent to The Property Department also said in the e-mail that the problem of the rock and overcome the mechanical problems on the site rather than on educational the cost could be overcome, but not the planning problem / Parents contacted resources for the pupils of the area. the Snowdonia National Park Authority and Park officials deny that it would have been impossible to obtain planning permission. We have an e-mail by the Park As a result the conclusion reached was that the original proposal will not be Authority which confirms that nobody came back to them at all to make changes implemented and that another plan will have to be developed.” to the designs presented (in fact, the plans were so poor that the Planning Officer described them as ‘the cheapest plans possible, mere sketches, only a box to Several open discussions were held with Planning Officers from the National consider’) and that they would welcome a planning application. Park. A 3D model of the school was created, plans put forward and changes Where is the problem? Why do you have it in for Ysgol Brithdir? Why do you were suggested. The response was negative and they could present reasonable insist on closing your eyes every statistic and fact which clearly shows that this is arguments for refusing a planning application. To continue with the necessary the site for the future? This site is accessible and viable. Have you not stated that work involved submitting a full application which would cost some tens of you are 'committed to rural education'? thousands of pounds and - having considered all the factors - the Cabinet The school parents have been digging the field with more specialised equipment decided not to carry on with the development. than that used by the Council and have not come across any rock. Council officials strongly suggested that there was no rock there, just that a JCB with an There are therefore three reasons: excavator bucket without teeth could not go any deeper, and that this bucket had been chosen because of archaeological remains within 300m of the school • The considerable risk of failing to obtain planning permission despite all (the required distance). We understand that there are no archaeological remains efforts. During the design period the views of the planning officers became much more negative than was the case during the consultation within 300m of the site as the Council officers thought - the Roman remains are period and they became more and more worried as time went by. We much further than that, and houses already built on them anyway! The decision had reached a point where the chance of success was small if not to use an excavator bucket without teeth was core to the excavation tests and impossible. That is therefore the main reason, and of course a matter the decision to put aside the Ysgol Brithdir scheme, and this neglect and misleading information has angered parents and Brithdir residents. And given which money cannot overcome.

that we as parents did not come across any rock in the field near Ysgol Brithdir , • During the design stage, the Government requirements became how can the Council justify the latest cost of £2.72m to develop Ysgol Brithdir?/ clearer. If we were to use grant funding, then additional expenditure The Council should adhere to the previous decision to build an extension to the was needed if the design of the building was to meet the very high school (a decision approved by the Assembly in 2010). We need our school in environmental requirements. Also, additional space - 70m ² more than Brithdir and indeed, Gwynedd’s earlier view was that Brithdir was the best was originally thought - would be needed in order to reach the location for the provision of rural education in the eastern part of the Gader expected standards and ensure the grant funding. catchment area / Given no attempt was made to submit a planning application in • c) During the design stage, the Park insisted that the level of the new the first place as should have been done, or to come to an agreement with the building would have to be lowered considerably (up to 3m) in order not Park on making changes that would have led to an acceptable design (as is to impact the existing school and the amenities of the dwelling at the normal with planning applications), nor costing things properly, we ask Gwynedd back. The site of the existing school is already one metre higher than Council to submit a PLANNING APPLICATION for an extension at Ysgol Brithdir the adjacent site, therefore the land would have to be excavated to a immediately, and in fairness to the first democratic consultation process in depth of 4 metres. The specialist inspection shows that rock was favour of keeping Ysgol Brithdir open / You have not responded at all to this encountered at one metre below ground level. This in itself does not inconsistency at the Comments Stage. mean that it is impossible to complete the development but it would 6.2 Also Ysgol Brithdir is not o n a main road and there is plenty of room to extend 1 obviously add to the cost. The difference in levels would also mean the the school. construction of a complex and costly link between the old and the new 6.3 Why is this a problem that cannot be resolved during the planning process? How 1 buildings. can the Welsh Government move the goal posts after the approval of the recommendation? Not enough work has been done regarding the planning, yet This has been constantly explained by Property Department officers in written to use this as a reason not to continue with Brithdir as the site. communication and also verbally during the open days. 6.4 In a newsletter that was published in May 2013, the Council gave reasons why 1 the Brithdir site was longer suitable. The reasons were: • It would be very difficult to get planning permission. • It would be very costly to lower the land levels due to the presence of rock. • The Government’s technical requirements have changed and more space would be needed for the extension. • Increase in cost and a risk that planning permission would not be granted. • Too much being spent to overcome engineering problems. 6.5 A word to protest strongly against the closure of Ysgol Brithdir . Why close a 1 The Council is pleased to read positive comments by parents about the thriving school, having probably spent thousands on making plans? It would be education provided at Ysgol Brithdir and that the school is a happy one with a good to know the cost! How did someone make the plans without first looking at ‘family’ atmosphere. The Council also understands that change is not easy to the quality of the land - the reason being probably that there is no hard rock accept. there - according to the people who have been digging there. A number of different factors have been considered in developing the proposed favoured option. Indeed, the factors listed are among the reasons for choosing the Brithdir site as part of the former proposal. Unfortunately, developing the

site at Ysgol Brithdir is no longer a possible option for a numb er of reasons which have been explained above.

Now it has become necessary to face the unsustainable situation and take steps to maintain and preserve the best educational elements and the ethos of the catchment area whilst investing in resources fit for the 21 st century and offering all pupils within the catchment area a variety of experiences and a chance to develop their skills and confidence. There is an opportunity here to strengthen and improve the education provision in the catchment area for the children and young people of today and for the children and young people of the future. The main concern of this proposal is the quality of the education provided. 6.6 Ysgol Brithdir has one thing that no other school in the catchment area has 1 If this proposal is approved, the strong points specified at Ysgol Brithdir will (including Dolgellau school) – a FULL school . It is a disgrace that you are hopefully continue as children from three rural schools are brought together to considering closing the only successful school. You should consider what makes the sites at Llanelltyd and Rhydymain. Ysgol Brithdir a successful school according to Estyn reports and the colour evaluation. How does this make any sense? Please reconsider. 6.7 Lucky to see inside Ysgol Brithdir recently – there was a warm and friendly 1 The Council is pleased to hear that there is a welcoming atmosphere at Ysgol atmosphere, and the facilities remind me of my own experience in a primary Brithdir. Unfortunately, it lacks the vital resources, as many objectors school , which was also a school in a small village. acknowledge. 6.8 Where is the fair play for parents who have chosen Brithdir for their children for 1 several years? Although the resources of the building as it stands are not Parents and pupils may choose a school for a number of different reasons, and particularly good, the parents choose to bring their children here to be educated. the reasons can change over a period of time. Factors such as number of pupils, Building an extension to a school with no surplus places would be sustainable. surplus places and pupil projections have been considered when evaluating the 6.9 Governing body recognizes that the resources in Brithdir as regards the building 2 possible models. are not good currently. However, we have viable numbers. We are opposed to spending on another site that will not succeed in the long term. Why no expenditure here? If Brithdir pupils do not attend Rhydymain, then that site will not succeed. I would like to oppose the closure of Ysgol Brithdir. While I recognize that the schools in the area need to be reorganized, I do not believe that sufficient consideration has been given to the possibility of keeping Brithdir instead of Rhydymain, especially given that the Minister of Education approved this in 2010. 6.10 Family has lived for generations in Brithdir – great grandfather gave the land for 3 The Counc il has a policy regarding after -use for school buildings . According to building the school in 1872 for Elementary Education and for no other purpose / this policy, if there is a desire locally, the Council would ask the Regeneration Understand that the land for Ysgol Brithdir was a gift from the estate in 1800, Officers to support the community in order to consider any after-use of land specifically to build a school - think again and keep Ysgol Brithdir open/ The and buildings which are released following the reorganisation. building in Brithdir has been here for over 100 years - if you hadmaintained the

building better instead of forgetting about it, it wou ld be here in another 100 years. 6.11 Ysgol Brithdir building will go back to the landowner if the school closes, w hile 1 the building in Rhydymain will be available for sale and income. 6.12 Expenditure lower in Rhydymain compared to other sites in the model – is this 7 The Council is committed to maintaining rural education and is doing this by intentional in order to close the site in the future? The expenditure is not fair in including the site at Rhydymain as part of the favoured model. This means that comparison to other expenditure in south Meirionnydd e.g. Penybryn, Craig y there is a rural education option for the eastern part of the catchment area. Deryn and Llanuwchllyn schools/ Know that you have chosen Rhydymain site The sustainability of the Rhydymain site will be more viable following this because it is cheaper to develop than the Brithdir site. Money is your priority investment. The message received during the discussions is that rural education here not choosing the best site for the future. The total of what you intend to has to be offered. If there is local desire to preserve rural education, we hope spend in Rhydymain is offensive. Easy to mention the millions that you want to that parents will support the educational site at Rhydymain. By bringing the spend in the area and spend on other sites but this is not true on Rhydymain site. children of the local areas (Machreth, Brithdir and Rhydymain) together on one Rhydymain is the cheapest option, the 'make do' option. You talk about offering site, we hope to establish a thriving school. If town parents continue to choose 'education for the twenty-first century' but again only offer 3 classes on the site. rural education for their children, despite the distance, this will contribute There are 4 classes at O.M Edwards and Craig y Deryn schools. Don’t the children further towards the sustainability of the site. of this area deserve to be educated under similar conditions? / Major concerns about Rhydymain site, we do not see the site succeeding in the future - loss of In view of the economic climate, a considerable financial investment is being rural education and the language/ Main objection against Ieuan Gwynedd made to develop the sites in the catchment area. By investing £4.34milion of primary school site, a rural area in the east / Option 8 will not secure the future capital funding to upgrade the sites, the Council is committed to ensuring a of rural education in eastern Dyffryn Wnion, because I do not see that the learning environment of the highest possible quality. As well as this work, the sustainability of Ysgol Rhydymain is certain. Sustainability of Rhydymain is sites at Friog, Gader and Dinas Mawddwy will receive an accrued maintenance dependent on Brithdir children moving there - nothing has been done to find out sum for improvements - a total sum £491,000. This means that the Council is if this is happening / At present, Brithdir and Rhydymain work together - sharing committing to invest £4,831,000 by September 2017 in order to ensure staff and succeeding. Brithdir and Rhydymain communities are historically very education of the best possible quality if the Catchment Area Follow-Through similar - a relationship of long-standing collaboration. There is no problem in School is established. collaboration with Ysgol Rhydymain, but concerned about the chosen site. Pupils eventually will attend a school closer to home (according to model 8) - I feel that There will be no change to the investment figure earmarked for upgrading the choosing a site on the edge of the area as far as possible from most of the pupils, site at Rhydymain, namely £620,000 – There were conceptual images in the is giving a serious message about the Council's desire and commitment to rural statutory consultation document and since then, consultation has taken place education. Won’t the site in Rhydymain become empty every year? / Council’s with the Head Teacher and members of the governing body to further develop response is that on the Rhydymain site, pupils will not have to eat their lunch in the plans. the classroom. However, there will not be enough room in the existing hall in Rhydymain for being one dinner sitting - need two dinner sittings. How does this The hall in the Rhydymain site will be of sufficient size to hold services, physical improve on the current situation? / How do you expect us to support the closure exercise activities and musical activities etc. Two dinner sittings will be required of the school, carrying children to another site that offers no improvement in if the site is full to capacity. Having two dinner sittings is not unusual in terms of classes. Oppose the proposal as there are not enough classes. In Gwynedd schools. The Council has discussed plans for a larger hall, but this accordance with education in the twenty first century it is essential to have 4 would not be possible in view of the funding available, namely £620,000. How

classes on the site in fairness to the pupils, not 3 as is being proposed in the the earmarked funding will be used will depend on the final plan, following Rhydymain site / Significant expenditure to develop resources for the Foundation input from all relevant parties. Phase in recent years. However, there has been no expenditure in Ysgol Brithdir because of the promise of a new school. We had to raise the money ourselves to The number of classes will be determined in accordance with the financial ensure an external learning area - example of Ysgol Brithdir being treated in an allocation for the school – based on pupil numbers. The predicted number of inferior way by the Council / Brithdir Governing Body think that the expenditure pupils will guarantee funding for 3 classes. The Head Teacher and the governing on Rhydymain site does not create a first class learning environment. Three body will decide on the exact formation of the classes. classes are not sufficient as a class sharing Key Stages and years is harmful. Why are pupils in the eastern area getting the minimum expenditure? The pupils on In the consultation document, the report was based on predictions supplied by the Rhydymain site are at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the All-through head teachers in September 2013, and a suggestion made for one possible way School. Does not everyone belong to the same school and deserve the same that classes could be arranged on the Rhydymain site. This is an example only, resources and facilities? / When the school was promised to us in Brithdir, 4 the table below shows three different ways by which the pupil numbers could classes were promised/ What is the purpose of a building without children to be arranged, based on predictions supplied by head teachers in September maintain a school? Why will Ieuan Gwynedd school children have to travel to 2014: attend specialist lessons and miss out on teaching and learning time? Is it to kill off rural education altogether? 6.13 No expenditure on the Foundation Phase as you promised another new school in 1 a central position in Brithdir. 6.14 You suggest that we close a very successful full school in Brithdir and move to a 1 school from the 60s and get a small extension – this does not compare to the original plan, or what has been received by other children in Meirionnydd.

From the examples in the above table, and dependent on the decision by the head teacher, it is possible to create a class structure where no key stages are crossed. The class structure will be the decision of the head teacher and the governing body and based on the true number of pupils and the number of staff appointed to the site. 6.15 Brithdir community is very worried that Ysgol Rhydymain will not last in the long 1 Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd will not continue in its present form, the proposal term, with only 18 children at present and a reduction of -42% between 1975- includes its closure on 31 August 2017. As part of the proposal, the school site 2013. will continue to offer education when it is opened as one of the six sites in the Catchment Area Follow-Through School. 6.16 All statistics clearly show that it is the Brithdir site that is the sustainable site for 3 The Council is a ware that the Brithdir site had a number of merits to commend the future. It is an accessible site, Brithdir numbers have been consistently high it, indeed that is why the site was put forward as part of the former proposal in

for years, an increase of 119% was seen between 1975 and 2013 and the 2011. Unfortunately, the Council also had to consider other sites. numbers are still high despite the threat of closure. No surplus spaces but there are 60% surplus places in Ysgol Rhydymain. This clearly shows that Brithdir site is The Council is aware of the Seren Fach Nursery. A number of factors have been the parents’ choice, it proves beyond all doubt the strength of the school site. considered as part of the appraisal of options eg. Pupil numbers, travelling What more proof of success do you need? The site is accessible to the town and times and distances, locations and distance from other sites which are part of the sites of the primary and secondary schools, accessible to a successful local the Follow-Through School. nursery school site and Dinas Mawddwy school site. This is the site where joint School to School working could be seen at its best. This was one of its strengths The Council admits that Ysgol Brithdir is closer to the Ysgol Dinas Mawddwy site during the previous consultation, so what has changed? Remember how other and indeed this was one factor in support of the site when it was included as multi-site schools have proved that proximity between sites is all-important / part of the former proposal. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to develop Ysgol Brithdir is very convenient for parents and other children in the Seren Fach the Brithdir site. Nursery and very central / Ysgol Brithdir is totally sustainable – no surplus spaces, no safety net, etc. These are your criteria and yet Brithdir does not appear in one The Council believes that the proposed option offers the best way forward in option. order to ensure viability for the educational provision in Y Gader catchment 6.17 Brithdir location promotes better cooperation between other sites, secondary 2 area. sites and the charitable community Seren Fach nursery. Ysgol Brithdir is the accessible site for parents as it continues to attract new parents despite the Gwynedd Council wishes to see every child within the County receiving the threat of closure – this is the site of choice. The Council should note the natural same provision in terms of education and opportunities. As a result, this and consistent choice of parents. proposal to provide primary education on 5 sites rather than 9 sites will mean 6.18 Ysgol Brith dir is very central and would facilitate collaboration between the sites, 2 better resources, space for storing resources, library, information technology, especially Dinas Mawddwy which is one of the schools on the outskirts of the hall and playing field. area that the Council choose to keep for fear of losing children across the border to Powys. With such an innovative and untested model, and only a hope that you The Council is very pleased that Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd have can attract the head of the required calibre, collaboration between sites is been working closely by sharing a head teacher since the previous head teacher essential. at Ysgol Brithdir retired. 6.19 The governing body of Ysgol Brithdir accept that change is inevitable. However, 1 our priority is to ensure that rural education continues to exist in the east of the catchment and is also sustainable for the future. In view of this, it makes sense for this site to be central to this rural location not on the extreme outskirts, which is the case with the site in Rhydymain. We are opposed to your preferred eastern site because of this. Don’t the numbers in Brithdir show that this is the convenient and viable site? We have been tolerant all along but the Council has taken a very unfair advantage of this by sweeping aside any comments and questions we have, and ignoring us. Brithdir tried to facilitate the collaboration between our school and Rhydymain by inviting the head of Rhydymain to oversee the two schools when Meinir Wyn Jones retired, and when the rural school was supposed to be on the Brithdir site. I know that your officers and

Estyn found this arrangement successful. Where is the acknowledgment for this in your decision? We object to model 8 in its current form because it runs counter to the recent comments of the Council on what makes a site sustainable i.e. school rolls, geographical location and arrangements for joint working. The further the sites are from each other in the model, then the less likely they are to be able to work together. The sites in the Cwm Amman model were close to each other, and so it was easier to implement. 6.20 The B4416 Brithdir road is much safer than the A494 in Rhydymain 1 Ysgol Rhydymain is not directly on the A494 highway but on the road leading from it to the village. The upgrading phase will look at road safety and will provide a site for dropping children off in front of the building so that there will be safe access to the site. 6.21 Need to carry out construction work on Ysgol Friog currently in order to exten d 1 The building and the site at Friog are in an acceptable condition and do not the Foundation Phase classroom to a central classroom that was used previously require more expenditure. There is no budget available to upgrade the entire to teach Years 3 and 4. Essential to ensure provision for a growing Foundation site. Phase class. The Governing Body cannot pay for this structural work. With regard to increased numbers in the foundation phase, the three year predictions submitted by the head teacher in September 2014 show that the numbers in the foundation phase are declining slightly:

Number of Number of Number of Pupils Predictions Pupils in the Foundation Phase in Key Stage 2 School Pupils True Numbers 29 18 11 Sept. 2014 Sept. 2015 31 18 13 Sept. 2016 29 17 12 Sept. 2017 31 14 17

6.22 In introducing the concept of 'new area school’ one imagined a kind of large new 1 We need to be clear as to the way the proposal will be implemented. Every building. The real picture could not be more different. It is true to say that this school in the catchment area will close. Therefore, to say that two red schools 'concept' has not been clearly communicated to the public. Many believed for a will come together to form the core of the Follow-Through School is incorrect. long time that there would be a new building. The Council is aware of the concerns regarding the schools in the town of Arwyn Jones, the BBC Wales Education Correspondent reported on the proposed Dolgellau itself and this is one of the reasons why the education in its present changes in Powys and on the success of a 'wonderful school': form is unsustainable. The sites will continue to provide education but will be "One option is to bring primary schools together under one roof - or even primary part of an entirely new school. The school will have one head teacher, one and secondary pupils on the same campus. David Williams is head of Bro Pedr governing body, a new and innovative staff structure, new policies and a special

school in Lampeter, Ceredigion and is responsible for children from 3 to 19 years - opportunity to establish strong and successful systems from the very start. the first all-through school in Wales. He says that there are advantages to tracking pupils' progress, and that younger When discussions started some years ago, research was being undertaken to pupils were using specialized facilities, teachers and being mentored by older try and discover a site where all the primary pupils from the entire catchment students " "We were fortunate to have two successful schools – a large primary area could be located together, or where a Follow-Through School could be school and a large secondary school - coming together on the same campus and developed on one site for the town pupils, but unfortunately there is no site we were able to overcome concerns about communication and distance" he said. where this can be accomplished. The area is part of the Snowdonia National Mr Williams says that he can only speak from his experience, and that each Park, much of the land is hilly and there are large areas under water for part of community is different " the year due to floods. This was reported to the CAP some time ago - it was The significant difference in Dolgellau is that the 2 schools which would create explained why there was no suitable site for the catchment and the possibility the core of education in the area are two red schools. Shouldn’t Gwynedd of establishing a multi-site model was discussed. Council be solving this problem first before closing successful small schools in the catchment area? It is important to note, as Mr Williams says, that each The Council agrees that communities differ and that the model will have to be community is different, one size does not meet the needs of every community. adapted to ensure that it suits a specific area. The Council believes that this has been accomplished. The Follow-Through School model – referred to as Ysgol Bro Pedr – has been adapted to meet the needs of the rural catchment area of Y Gader. It is not possible to use one large site, therefore the existing sites are being used. There is a desire locally within the catchment area for rural education to continue and to keep travelling distances to a minimum, therefore 4 rural sites remain. 6.23 'It is not possible to use the Ysgol Clogau site as the site is too small, against the 1 The Council is trying to provide quality buildings for primary education rock face, and with a main road at the front - there is no room to build a suitable throughout the County by structuring plans, providing suitable rooms for head extension’ teachers and staff, ensuring access for the children to suitable playing fields and If we consider the fact that it costs no more to educate a child in a school of 30 halls. It will also be necessary for all the buildings to conform with Foundation than in school of 100, then there is a need to look at Professor Hattie’s research Phase requirements and curriculum requirements. in his report. Over 12 years, Professor Hattie looked at 815 studies on what makes education effective: 'The most positive factors are scarce, and the main The ESTYN report “Evaluating the performance of schools before and after ones are the relationship with people, the quality of interactions, and challenging moving into new buildings or restored property ” (2007) confirms the above work by teachers who know the pupils well. Almost all schools and class opinion. The report notes that schools whose buildings have been renovated arrangements that appeared low on the Hattie Scale included buildings. We notice an improvement in the performance and attainment of their pupils. It believe that these studies confirm our evidence that teachers and parents are the also notes that Estyn reports on individual schools show that the quality of the main benefits for young pupils and the most prudent target for investment.' teaching has improved, that staff morale is higher, that attendance is consistent A quote from the National Small Schools organization 'Building for the future / fit and that behaviour is improved. And in addition to this, that buildings which for purpose' : 'Two major studies, one including 900 schools by Price have been improved offer better choice and provision of education within the Waterhouse Coopers for the DCSF in 2003 and the second by the University school and also the activities held before and after school hours. of Newcastle for the Design Council in 2005. The potential benefits of modern buildings and facilities were identified, but they were more willing Our hope is that the “learning environment” for children and staff in the County

than Estyn in 2007 quoted by the RD Committee to consider and respect – in other words the condition of the school, classroom, staff room, play the importance of several other factors that contribute to the attainment equipment – all meet the 21 st Century learning and teaching requirements. of pupils e .g. quality of teaching, leadership and support of parents .It There is real concern regarding the condition and suitability of the primary appears that, if the minimum standards are present, for example in terms schools in the County. The buildings need considerable investment in order to of space, ventilation etc., there was no clear evidence that 'moving from a respond to health and safety regulations and to reach the appropriate standards. A number of schools are in poor condition and it would involve Ford to a Ferrari' has any effect on pupil performance ' considerable cost to upgrade and adapt the school buildings throughout the County so that they meet the requirements of the new curriculum and the expected standards. 6.24 Building an extension of a reasonable size could be considered for say 50 -60 1 Several sites were given consideration before the sites were which are pupils (the optimum number of pupils according to research in northern Europe), part of the proposal were recommended. Llanelltyd site was the only site then the land behind Ysgol Clogau could be built on. Local architects have looked of sufficient size to meet the standards in the Western part of the at the site, and have noted that there is no rock there, but rather steep catchment area. Also, there is some level ground available for extending overgrown terrain. The old building, which has withstood time, has large the site. windows and the original light and ventilation in the building is more than In terms of the amount of work on the Llanelltyd site, the entire building adequate. The classes have high ceilings that provide enough space for the display of children's work and other stimulating educational aids. Will a new will be considerably upgraded in order to provide rooms of appropriate extension in other schools provide such an interesting space? Definitely, size.

continuing to use these robust buildings will stand the test of time better than some small extensions. 6.25 The Welsh Government's School Organisation Code notes: 1 Many different options were considered during initial discussions, one '..costs and the lifetime savings of the relevant building, compared with the costs of which involved locating all the primary pupils within the catchment and savings associated with the maintenance of the status quo' area on one site (one large primary school) or to locate some of the No consideration has been given to lifetime costs of the current buildings. Ysgol catchment area primary age pupils on the secondary school site. It was Clogau is considered to need £40,000 of maintenance costs compared to the concluded that these options were not practical and lack of a suitable relatively new Ysgol y Gader building which needs £439,000 of reserve site was partly the reason for this decision. maintenance. When these costs are shared with the age of the building, it does not make financial sense to get rid of solid buildings and structures and to favour more 'temporary' buildings that will not have the same lifetime. Where have the As research was undertaken in connection with the sites, the condition construction phase figures been considered? and suitability of the buildings and sites of the existing schools were Children need to learn to respect and enjoy the heritage of Wales in these taken into consideration – this included the age of the buildings. old school buildings, especially when the school is so successful and full. There is no intention to install any temporary buildings as part of the investment.

The maintenance costs faced at Ysgol y Gader are considerably higher than those at Ysgol Clogau because the buildings are substantially larger.

6.26 It was not noted in the consultation document that Ysgol Clogau also belongs to 1 The title for Ysgol Clogau belongs to Gwynedd Council. Gwynedd Council. 6.27 It appears that environmental factors were not included. The catchment 1 In referring to carbon footprint, it has to be remembered that 4 educational area is in the Snowdonia National Park and any developments should be sites will be closed, there will be fewer sites to be heated etc. considered not only in terms of conservation but also in terms of sustainability and cultural heritage. What conclusions should be drawn The investment in the 3 sites will substantially improve energy performance. regarding the fact that there is no mention of environmental issues? / From the minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2014 ‘ there was a response that it is not required, in accordance with the Code of Organisation – it was added that environmental aspects are addressed as part of a wider project documentation '/These do not appear in the Consultation Document or in the Background Pack. 6.28 Why the need for capital expenditure to develop the Dolgellau ( Cynradd ) site, as 2 The investment in Do lgellau will deal with the serious traffic and parking there are substantial surplus places there already - is there an intention in the problems. It will also provide classrooms of the right size rather than a number long term to centralize more from Llanelltyd and Rhydymain to Dolgellau?/Why of small rooms as is the case at present. therefore keep the rural site on a site that is not sustainable? The parents do not currently support the site as it is not accessible and this will not change through the closure of Ysgol Brithdir. The Rhydymain site continues to be on the outskirts and is not the parents' choice. Why waste money like this? Do you hope that Rhydymain site will close in the near future, and have to transfer everyone to the town? Is that your vision? 6.29 Have heard that new extensions and additional things like car parks and a 1 bridge over the road will be needed at the new schools. New roundabout? These cost a huge sum of money. (I understand that these are capital costs and not staffing costs). But is there a way the budget can be readjusted in order to save small rural schools? 7 Governance and Admissions 7.1 Some parents have asked to move their children from other schools to Ysgol 1 The Authority has no record of refusing any admissions application for Ysgol y Clogau but they have been informed that it will not be possible as the school will Clogau in the last three years. The Authority has permitted children to attend be closing. other schools in the region over this period e.g. an application to Ysgol Machreth. 7.2 I cannot see that the closure of Ysgol Brithdir will improve or strengthen any of 1 Should the proposal be confirmed, only one school would exist in Y Gader the six objectives and certainly by removing the rights of parents to choose a catchment area. school for their children, Gwynedd Council is establishing a system where the governors are responsible for deciding which site the children will attend - how It is foreseen that existing pupils of Machreth, Brithdir and Ieuan Gwynedd can this contribute to any of the six objectives? I have a child in Brithdir and I schools would attend the Rhydymain site, the new all-through school. The

intend for all my children to attend there. As we live in Dolgellau, I take it that we Authority decides on admission to the school and it is true that the school’s will have to, in accordance with your regulations, await for the Governing Body governing body will control admission to the specific sites. This has been to decide which site will be appropriate for them to attend – if it’s the nearest consistently noted during the discussions on reorganisation in the catchment then it will be Dolgellau. Is the system an improvement and will it strengthen area. performance and achieve the objectives? Moving from a school site could create psychological and educational problems for any of the children apart from the The governing body will need to decide on what basis they will control effect on the happiness of the household! admission but support will be available from the education department, it is 7.3 Th e closure of Ysgol Brithdir will result in fewer parents having the choice of a 1 likely that the Authority would recommend following the County’s admissions rural education for their children. How can you remove such a right from a policy. parent? It will be the School Governors who will decide admission to every site based on proximity. During preliminary discussions regarding reorganisation of schools, there was a 7.4 It was promised that the current pupils of Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Llanfachreth 3 strong desire to preserve the provision of rural education. The Council is would all be admitted to the Rhydymain site without having to make an committed to providing rural education in the catchment area, by continuing application as the capacity was determined on the current numbers. Now, there with the sites at Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd, Rhydymain and Friog. With is ambiguity and many parents have the impression that their children will not be regards rural places, it is foreseen that there will be a capacity of 45 at Friog, 75 going with their friends to Rhydymain as they live outside the catchment area. at Llanelltyd, 49 at Dinas Mawddwy and 70 at Rhydymain. Will they have to make an application to the Governors? Do they have to be uprooted and moved to a completely unfamiliar site? Will the Council guarantee that they are able to continue their education with their peers? I live in Dolgellau but I have close family connections in Brithdir. Will I have a choice of which school my children will attend? Will my children’s children have a choice? 7.5 Ganllwyd is very concerned that it will be the Governing Body which will choose 1 which site the children will attend. 7.6 As a Council, you will expect the school governors of the life -long school to fill 1 vacant spaces in the Dolgellau site initially after spending £2.7 million on it. 7.7 At the moment, parents in the catchment area have a right to choose a school for 1 their children. Some people who live in the town choose to send their children to smaller schools and vice versa. I am very much aware that this is controversial but doesn’t everyone have the right to choose? Do families have a right to choose? Under this proposed model nobody will have a choice. Children will attend the nearest school. This will cause concern to many people. This is a difficult situation and there will be no other option. All the sites will have to be the same to standardise experiences. 7.8 We haven’t lived in Brithdir throughout the children’s education. Unfortunately 1 we haven’t been able to purchase a house (a challenge for young families). Renting a home – not as stable as being a home-owner. Concern that if there is a need to move house that the children would not be permitted to attend a rural

site – it is crucial for the future of education that parents have a choice. 7.9 The Governing Body of Ysgol Friog is concerned about the site allocated for the 1 children. If it is a requirement for every child to re-apply for the ‘new model’ school, will they be sent to the nearest site? Many parents do not drive and feel strongly about sending their children to another site when there is a site in the village. It is anticipated that this will be considered when filling places in more central sites. 7.10 Which children will be ‘all owed’ to attend the school? Isn’t the Council 1 downgrading the rural provision? Children who are at the moment on the periphery of the catchment area of Ysgol Brithdir are far nearer the school in Dolgellau than the site in Rhydymain. What will happen to them? Most of the children of the village of Brithdir and the farms in the locality are also nearer the town. How will the new school and the governing body overcome these problems? Or is this the intention? Filling the site in the town and downgrading the rural sites so that they will appear unsustainable? 7.11 Traditionally, as we are on the boundary of two catchment areas with a good 1 The Council does not agree that creating one all -through catchment school will train connection to Tywyn, a proportion of pupils from Ysgol Friog attend Ysgol place children at a disadvantage when reaching secondary school. One of the Uwchradd Tywyn every year. The concern of many parents is that being part of considerations while creating the school is the possible effect on the decrease one all-through school will put their children at a disadvantage when applying for in achievement following transfer from KS2 to KS3 (transferring from primary to a place in the secondary school. As a Governing Body is concerned that this could secondary) while creating improved continuity. If the school was making the have an effect on school numbers in the older years’ cohort as parents prepare best use of resources and staff, and holding primary sessions across the their children for secondary school and will consider relocating their children to catchment area or taking the older pupils of the primary sites to the secondary another catchment area in the primary sector. sites to learn at times - it is possible that this would strengthen the contact between the primary and secondary and would make more pupils attend the secondary site on the outskirts of the catchment area. 7.12 Section 15:14 page 62 – no reference made to admission of year 7 pupils from 1 Acknowledge that there is no specific reference to year 7 pu pils who attend outside the catchment area – 39% of Ysgol y Gader students - nor does it refer to from outside Ysgol Y Gader's catchment area in the consultation document. what arrangements could be implemented to integrate those students who spent This observation was received during the consultation period and it was their primary school years in schools outside the catchment area. explained that the older pupils would need to make an admissions application to the Authority in line with the current procedure. 7.13 We are finding it difficult in Ysgol Friog to get numbers on the Governing Body. 1 It is true that there are examples of good work from the catchment area’s This is causing us some concern as we feel that it will be an enormous step for governors, but there are also problems in terms of a lack of governors (as was Governors to become a member of the shadowing Governing Body and yet this is noted here in one of the objections). crucial to ensure that the school site and its pupils are represented. Creating one governing body would reduce the number of governors needed, 7.14 Governors provide their time on a voluntary basis to support the schools, the 1 and it will be possible to create sub-panels of members to look at specific teachers and the pupils. In the case of Ysgol Clogau, the Governors received a aspects. The body will need to focus on every site in the school and this work very high score for their close involvement with the school in the last Estyn will be assessed as part of the All-Through Catchment School's Estyn

inspection. How can we ensure that these ‘sites’ will operate without the inspections and the m embers of the shadow governing body will be selected involvement of Governors? One of the duties of Governors is to regularly from members of the existing governing bodies. The new school will require fair examine and provide objective comments on the work of pupils in their books representation across the catchment area. and on the work that has been exhibited in classrooms. How can one governing

body achieve this in every site? What type of saving is this? The consultation document does not acknowledge or note the amount of work achieved, or the impact that Governors have on schools these days. This is a mistake and is wrong. 8 The Statutory Process 8.1 We were told that you cannot explain to us on what basis we can appeal and yet 1 The Council has completed the statutory processes in accordance with the the appeal period has already begun. This sounds very unfair and undemocratic. School Organization Code (006/2013) and the School Standards and Please let us know when and where this information will be available? Organization Act (Wales) 2013. 8.2 Can you please tell me if there is anything we can do to keep our local, rural, 1 successful and very special school open? There was information on the statutory processes in the statutory consultation 8.3 The whole process of consultation is based on major inconsistencies an d lack of 2 document and the statutory notices included all the information for opposing intention. So we insist that the Brithdir site be reconsidered / I would ask you to the proposal. formally reconsider the closure of Brithdir and keep it open as one of six new school sites. Cabinet approved the recommendation to undertake a period of statutory 8.4 We insist that the decision is given to the Assembly so that we get a fair hearing / 3 consultation on the preferred option. A statutory consultation document was With all due respect, the appeals process should be administered by an published on 10 October 2014, which contained details of the proposal.The 'independent' body in order to give a fair and impartial judgment. By referring consultation period ran for responses until 13:00 on Monday 24 November our appeal to the Head of Education in Gwynedd, which is exactly the same body 2014.The responses were not considered to be objections but rather that is supporting and promoting this proposal, there is no chance of getting fair comments. During the consultation, responses could either include comments consideration for our appeal / I sincerely hope that you will seek external advice or questions on any aspect of the proposal (e.g. the model, the sites, categories when considering this issue. I feel there is a need for a fresh pair of eyes to etc), or offer alternative options. oversee the process / We want this appeal to be considered by an ‘Independent Appeals Panel' as this would be 'fair in terms of organization'. Following the consultation period a report was presented to the Cabinet on 13 8.5 Good luck with the reorganization and hopefully we will have a more open and 1 January 2015, when it was decided to continue with the proposal. In the honest discussion soon. consultation report, issues raised by the consultees were summarized and the 8.6 This con sultation process has been initiated by the decision to halt the proposed 1 Council responded to those issues. The consultation report was published on development in Brithdir in 2011 (the eastern area of the Gader catchment area). the Council's website and hard copies were available on request. Parents, The proposed development was ruled out because of a "rock" in the field where guardians, staff and governors of the ten schools were informed that the a new extension was to be built. consultation report was available. A number of representatives of other 8.7 Need an independent inquiry into the matter or stop the whole process. 1 agencies were also told when the report was available e.g. the Bangor Diocese 8.8 Without repeating all the facts, it is clear that the consultation process has been 3 of the Church in Wales, Powys Council, Estyn, Welsh Ministers, relevant MPs a farce and the Council seem to have behaved in a very disappointing manner/ and AMs etc. The Parent Group of Ysgol Brithdir feel because of the lack of respect for our fully and sincerely valid concerns that we will not have a choice but to go to the Public Following consideration of the consultation report, the Cabinet decided to

Services Ombudsman for Wales if we do not receive a satisfactory response to continue with the proposal and issue statutory notices to this effect. The the above concerns / Because a significant number of elements have been left notices were published on 25 February 2015, thus starting the "objection out and there has been a lack of care during the Consultation Process, we want period" of 28 days from the day of publication of the proposal, that is until 25 the proposal to be reconsidered and have solutions available to be discussed March 2015. There was an opportunity for anyone to oppose the proposal. The openly. The risks of proceeding with the proposal as it stands are significant and notices were placed on Gwynedd Council's website and in the entrances of 10 not all the implications have been presented, and so we can only speculate that schools involved in the proposal. Copies were sent to schools, parents and they have not been fully considered. Can Gwynedd afford to take this risk? The carers, staff and governors. Hard copies were available on request from the School Organisation Code states, 'Any case for closure must be robust for the school organization office. benefit of the educational provision in the area'. The consultation process has not shown any of these. Education has not been a priority at any point in this Following the conclusion of the objection period which ended on 25 March process. 2015, the objections were analysed in this table and a summary of the statutory objections was drawn up together with the Council’s response to the objections for publication in the ‘objections report’. The objections report will be presented to the Cabinet for its attention in its meeting on 19 May 2015. The objections report will be placed on the Council's website and hard copies will be available on request from 11 May 2015 onwards. Parents, guardians, school staff and governors of the 10 schools, as well as a number of representatives of other agencies, will be notified when the objections report is available.

At its meeting on 19 May, the Cabinet will need to make a final decision on the proposal. When the Cabinet has made its final decision, the decision will be issued in writing and will include the reasons for the decision. The decision will be published on the Council's website and parents, guardians, school staff and governors of the 10 schools, as well as a number of representatives of other agencies, will be informed of the decision.

In some cases - following the final decision of the Cabinet – the following may refer the proposal to be considered by Welsh Ministers: • Other LAs affected by the proposals • The appropriate religious body for any affected school • Governing body of a voluntary or foundation school which is the subject of the proposals • Trust that holds property on behalf of voluntary or foundation school which is the subject of proposals • Further education institution affected by the proposals

Referring bodies will need to indicate why they believe that the decision made

by the local authority is wrong. Welsh Ministers will decide whether the proposals will affect the bodies and if they need to consider the proposals. 8.9 I have asked our local member to come to the s chool to explain the proposals in 1 The proposal has been expla ined in a comprehensive statutory consultation detail to the parents but perhaps you would prefer to come yourself? I'm sure all document and 2 open days were held between 11-7 on 5 and 6 November 2014 parents would appreciate the opportunity to understand the logic better than when there was an opportunity for anyone to come to receive information or they understand it at the moment. to ask Council officers. Over 100 people were welcomed to the open days. 8.10 Please accept this letter as a written objection to the Notice to close Ysgol 2 The Council has received all written respons es received during the objection Brithdir. As a parent, I strongly reject the closure of Ysgol Brithdir and the period as objections. 53 objections were received during the period. implementation of the Cabinet decision to establish Y Gader All-through catchment-area school 3-16 on 1 September 2017 / I am writing this letter to express my objections to closing Ysgol Brithdir - we have children in the school, and we feel Gwynedd Council’s process has treated us badly. 8.11 One major concern is that no one in the Council is giving voice to our opinion 1 All the correspondence r eceived during the statutory consultation period as a because the two councillors in the area have had to be excluded because they whole was presented for the attention of Cabinet Members. Their content was are related to the heads of Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Rhydymain. Nobody came analysed and a response provided to the points raised. Particular attention was from the School Organisation Office to discuss although they were offered. You given to the main issues discussed in the body of the report Cabinet on 13 can see our frustration and the feeling that we are being ignored. January 2015.

All objections received during the objection period will be presented to Cabinet Members. In this table, the issues are analysed and responded to as appropriate. This table will be presented for the attention of the Cabinet along with a formal report. 8.12 We did not see any of Gwynedd Plaid Cymru councillors in our protest meeting, 1 The Council is aware that any proposal to change any pro vision is of concern which makes us think that there is a hidden agenda to the Gwynedd plans. and that the proposed change of educational can cause insecurity. This is why 8.13 Did you see the community protesting against the closure of Ysgol Brithdir? 1 the statutory process has been followed, so that local people can give their Neighbours of the school, who live in the 4 nearest houses, were there on the comments during the consultation period, and present objectives during the night to support keeping the school open. objections period if desired. 8.14 I am writing to expr ess grave concerns about the closure of Ysgol Brithdir. There 1 When completing research before starting t he process, the heads of the are many irregularities, including the story about the rock, Snowdonia National catchment area schools were given the opportunity to check statistics in the Park Authority, statistics regarding the number of pupils, and so on. statistics pack. As the statutory process takes time, a snapshot of data was 8.15 Invalidity of the second consultation process because you have put aside the 2 taken for one academic year and then these were used consistently, to avoid original proposal without exhausting every avenue and making every effort. We any confusion. have been sorely disappointed with the lack of respect and the lack of intention and effort to move forward with the original proposal to develop Ysgol Brithdir The Council recognizes that there is frustration at the grass roots because the site as the obvious and sustainable site to maintain rural education in the eastern previous consultation was not realized. area of the Gader. 8.16 Ysgol Brithdir was selected as the most sustainable site in the last Sus tainable 1 It is true that there are a number of reasons in favour of the development of

Catchment Review Panel . I am a former parent governor who was a member of Brithdir site and the Council decided to include it as part of the original the panel and therefore familiar with the process followed, along with the proposal. Unfortunately, significant limitations and problems were discovered, research that was done before reaching this decision. On 15 December 2011, the representing a significant increase in the cost of developing the site and it was full Council approved the recommendation of using Ysgol Brithdir as the site for decided not to proceed with the proposal to establish a Multi-site Area School Eastern side of the Gader / Because of objections during the statutory notice in Brithdir and Dinas Mawddwy. period from 5 March 2012, the final decision had to be referred to the Minister of Education and Skills, Leighton Andrews. In November 2012 the Welsh The intention is to ensure a capital investment of £ 4.34m on educational sites Government approved the recommendation to keep the school in Brithdir (with in the Gader catchment area, and what has been identified as part of the adjustments) to ensure the future of rural education / Following the decision of previous plan is now part of this sum. Considering the economic situation facing the Council officers came to show the plans to the children who were delighted. the Council, this is considered to be a significant financial commitment. There was a meeting with parents – who were pleased that there was a bright new future for the area’s rural education / Money for the development of the site had been identified by the Council, and there was no need to apply for further funding from the government. So where has the money gone? On 3 May 2012, Plaid Cymru got their seats back in the local council elections - I find it hard to believe that the Welsh Government decision would have been turned on its head if this had not happened. Pupils, staff, parents and the community have suffered a grave injustice. Feel we have been cheated – is this how councillors should treat residents of the area? 8.17 Very disappointed to learn that the original plan of 2010 has been revoked. 2 Children should be working and playing happily today in their 21st century school. How can such a 'U-turn' happen, when it has been passed in a democratic national government? Why are there no sound reasons for this? Who decided not to proceed with the plan? Who is going to admit that money is the main reason? Not a rock or plans / The 2010 decision was confirmed by the Education Minister, Leighton Andrews. Subsequently, you proceeded quite urgently to develop a model for the whole catchment, rushing such an important process in order to get a quick fix to replace the previous one. 8.18 Gwynedd Council has gone against local wishes by forcing us to take on the 1 The reorganization of education in the Gader catchment area has been model of an All-Through School. Back at the beginning of this long winded underway for some time. In light of all the discussions, a vision for the area has process, ten years ago by now, schools, governors and parents in the catchment emerged. The vision sets out what the Council is aiming to achieve in the area. definitely did not want to see a lifelong/all-through school in this area, and again the Council has turned a deaf ear and ignored local opinion. It is clear that the The Council aims to create robust and sustainable educational provision for the Council does not operate democratically. future, considering that there has been consensus for a considerable time that the present provision in unsustainable in its present form. 8.19 Latest process to come to this conclusion has been an underhanded one which 1 The Council has followed the procedure in accordance with the School has happened behind closed doors. Not one of the local Plaid Cymru councillors Organization Code (006/2013) and the School Standards and Organization Act

has shown courtesy or backbone, by coming out into the community to explain (Wales) 2013. In accordance with this, it has been decided that the Cabinet will what is happening. The full Council should be voting on such an important issue. make the final decision. 8.20 The school should be changed only when every child in the school has been 1 If the Cabinet decides to carry on with the proposal on 19 May 2015, there are registered for education and parents are fully aware of the potential disruption two full academic years between the decision and the closure of the catchment to the education of their children. In other words, in at least 2 years. area schools on 31 August 2017 which gives time for parents and children to become aware and accustomed with the change in provision. 8.21 School reorganization has been devastating to children, parents, communities 1 The estimates of most schools in the area showed that the number of schools and the relationship between schools. Pupil numbers have fallen because of the would reduce, and this is one of the reasons why it was decided to reorganize threat of closure. Was this the intention in the first place? schools in the area. The Council intends to propose a plan that will create a 8.22 I fee l strongly that it is essential that the process of reorganization does not split 1 strong, sustainable future provision. close communities. The way the process has been followed has caused bad and unpleasant feelings. I hope the Council will consider our communities when The Council recognizes that there is frustration at the grass roots because the dealing with restructuring in the future. previous consultation was not fulfilled and that discussions regarding reorganization have been going on for some time. Every effort is made to hold meetings and open discussions, release newsletters and send emails to update on the process as it develops, in order to avoid any concern or unnecessary confusion. 8.23 I hope you will consider the comments and do not confirm my concern that it is 1 The final decision has not been made. On 19 May 2015 the Cabinet will excuses we will get as a response, and that the decision has been made for consider all objections received before reaching a final decision. months, even years, and that the views of children, parents, governors and the community count for nothing. 8.24 If there are specific reasons for not recognizing the excellent performance of 2 The quality of education is one of the main considerations when deciding on Ysgol Brithdir, then these must be identified and explained. If no such school reorganization proposals. The educational quality of the existing schools explanation is forthcoming, then parents and the local community are entitled to will be included in the statutory consultation document – it is noted that in its consider that the issue has not been treated in a fair, balanced and equitable way last survey in 2008 Ysgol Brithdir was awarded 3 Grade 1s and 4 Grade 2s.The / To achieve the objectives set out in the report, the Council must re-think this inspection grades of the other schools is also in the document. ridiculous decision / Extremely disappointed that the school is going to close - we have very happy memories of school - hope the decision will be reversed. 8.25 Writing this letter as an Appeal by Governors of Ysgol Clogau in Bontddu, 1 The proposal includes closing 10 schoo ls in the Gader catchment area and six of Gwynedd. Our school is one of four schools in the area which may be close on 31 these educational sites will then reopen as the All-through catchment-area August 2017. We believe that closing this school would a big mistake, especially school. It is true that 4 school sites will not continue to offer education – the because of its recognized success as one of the best 25% of schools in Wales but four are Brithdir, Clogau (Bontddu), Ganllwyd and Machreth (Llanfachreth) also because of a huge loss to the local community, parents and pupils. This loss sites. Throughout the reorganization, the existing educational standard of the cannot be measured in purely economic terms. school has been considered and included in the statutory consultation document. A quality education is one of the considerations in considering and evaluating options; this is not the only consideration. 8.26 Only one model of the 8 presented included keeping Ysgol Clogau open, and this 1 The school reorganization process stared in the Gader area some time ago and

was based on incorrect information. There was no reference to a Welsh or there was considerable discussion before the Catchment Area Review Panel Bilingual model, and so there was no opportunity for discussion. At the meeting (PAD) on 21 May 2014. This meeting gave the 8 possible models that would be on 21 May 2014, the 8 models were presented but no further data was given. evaluated by the Cabinet before beginning the consultation process. This was referred to at the time, and no further data was offered. A letter was sent to 6 assembly members: William Powell, Simon Thomas, Lord Elis-Thomas, As the schools reorganization process takes months, every effort has been Joyce Watson and Rebecca Evans. There was no response to requests for data made to keep the consultees aware of every step on the way; this is a summary except in one case, where we were directed to the Government website. This of the information released during the last year: was not helpful, proactive or responsible. 21 May 2014 – PAD meeting (where local members, headteachers, chairs of When we sent the same questions back to Gwynedd Council as part of the governors and parent governors of schools and representatives of the Church response to the consultation document, there was no response. were invited) to update them and to share information. A PowerPoint If it is considered that this consultation process is fair and rigorous, the fact that presentation explained some of the research and the direction at the time as we have not received any correspondence in response to our requests for regards the 8 possible models. This PowerPoint presentation was released to information shows the opposite. heads on request 8.27 The consu ltation process has not involved a full and proper debate. Everything 1 9 September 2014 – an email was sent to PAD members that a report that had to be done as regards holding meetings and asking for 'Response Forms' associated with the school reorganization in the catchment area was going has been done, but no effort has been done to try to answer questions. That may before the Cabinet on 16 September 2014. A link was provided to the report show that there are no responses available, or that Governors, parents and and relevant documentation. community members cannot be part of them. 18 September 2014 - an email was sent to PAD members noting the Cabinet’s 8.28 In the short time we had to create this appeal, we have set up a Facebook page: 1 decision and the next steps in the process. cwtchclogau in order to show support for our teachers at this difficult time and 8 October 2014 – an email was sent to PAD members forewarning them of the also to share information about the reorganization. Through this we have also intention to begin the statutory consultation process on 10 October 2014. created an online petition and a paper petition. We enclose copies. Time has 10 October 2014 – the statutory consultation document and background pack been short, and so it has been difficult to obtain a true picture of opinion in were issued in accordance with the requirements of the School Organization terms of numbers, but there are a lot of comments on Facebook and in petitions Code (006/2013). that would be interesting to consider. 18 November 2014 – a reminder was sent to all consultees that the statutory 8.29 The completely erroneous model is based on a process that took as little time as 1 consultation period was ending on 18 November 2014. possible to be decided, and it has not considered the entirely legitimate concerns 5 January 2015 - an email was sent to PAD members that a report associated of parents and residents of Brithdir. with school reorganization in the catchment area following the statutory 8.30 You have rushed through a new model after deciding at the beginning of 2013 1 consultation period was going before the Cabinet on 13 January 2015. that you could not move forward with the previous model. This completely 2 February 2015 - an email was sent to PAD members noting the Cabinet’s erroneous model is based on a process that took as little time as possible to decision and the next steps in the process. decide. 19 February 2015 - an email was sent to PAD members forewarning them of the intention to publish statutory notices and to begin the objections period on 25 February 2015. 25 February 2015 – the statutory notices were published and the objections period started in accordance with the requirements of the School Organization Code (006/2013).

The School Organization Office has responded to all enquiries received in accordance with Council policy.

8.31 You have sent a leaflet to the children to explain the consultation and why there 2 A consultation document was issued to children which tried to simplify the is a need for this new proposal. In it, under point 1 – The Purpose of Change? - proposal so that they could give their comments; obviously this document did You give these reasons: not contain the full details of the proposal, this was in the full statutory • Improve the quality of education - no advantage to Brithdir consultation document. In addition to this, sessions were held with key stage 2 • Improve the quality of buildings e.g. painting - benefit unproven pupils in every primary school and Ysgol y Gader Council by an expert children • Making better use of resources such as IT equipment - benefit unproven and young people facilitator to find out their views. • Ensure good educational organisation for the future – the educational system does not bode well As regards the points being raised here, £4.34m of capital funding will be • Reduce the number of surplus school places - no surplus places in Ysgol available to upgrade the sites where the Council is committed to ensuring a Brithdir, Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd will certainly have surplus places in the future learning environment of the highest quality. In addition to this work, sites in • Providing schools that are important to the community - what community Friog, Y Gader and Dinas Mawddwy are receiving expenditure for backlog will be left? maintenance to improve them. The total expenditure of this maintenance work • Strengthening the Welsh Language - the proposal will weaken the Welsh is £491,000. This means that the Council is committed to investing £4,831,000 language by September 2017 to ensure the best possible quality of learning if the All- Appropriate classes and high quality leadership – Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd will not Through catchment-area school is established. have enough classes, and being able to attract the head of the quality required is a hope only, there is no guarantee. There will be an advantage for the current pupils of Ysgol Brithdir as they will have daily access to a playground and more modern learning environment, suitable for teaching in the 21 st century. There will be better class sizes and greater range on Rhydymain site as compared to Ysgol Brithdir, Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd and Ysgol Machreth. The proposal, following a linguistic impact assessment by an external company, Gweriniaith and the report associated with the proposed model, was that "planning the provision on the basis of one organizational vision is the best way to try to achieve the language policy, using the larger resources and staffing that one organization have for the best use across different sites of the area.”

Headteacher recruitment in Meirionnydd is a challenge at the moment, and this can be due to population and the rural element, but there may be a number of other reasons. It is understood that at present Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd do not have a head from September onwards as things stand. The Council recognizes that the appointment of the head of the proposed school will be a challenge, but is planning for this.

8.32 Emotional impact on the children in the school having to change and the 1 The Council recognizes that any period of change creates uncertainty and will uncertainty (the children are already worried about the situation). endeavour to reduce children's concerns if the proposal is confirmed. 8.33 Will all children have an equal opportunity to partic ipate and represent the 1 school? 8.34 Benefits grid page 61 the same as the expected benefits of a good education in 1 Agree that these are the expected benefits in any school and the all -through any school. The benefits are not specific to the type of school catchment catchment-area school will have the same expectations if the decision is made suggested - schools across Wales, primary and secondary, which successfully to realize the plan. meet the requirements of the United Nations conference on children's rights. 8.35 The "Reorganization of the Gader School Catchment 2014 - What does this 1 An email was sent to all relevant stakeholders (including all Heads) on 10 mean? Consultation with children and young people (Primary)" document was October 2014 highlighting that a statutory consultation period was being held not distributed in Ysgol Clogau. The children's responses to the questionnaire between 10 October 2014 and 24 November 2014 and a link was provided to all were not recorded correctly. Every child participated and their responses were the relevant documentation on the Council's website. A Children and Young not counted or quoted in full. It seems to be a very selective process. People consultation document as well as a Children and Young People Questionnaire were included in this documentation. A further email was sent to all Headteachers on 20 October 2014 stating that a children and young people facilitator would come to every school to hold a session with pupils and every Head was asked to co-operate with the facilitator as necessary. It was noted that the Welsh Government National Guidance states that it is a requirement for Authorities to consult with children and young people in a process of reorganization. The facilitator distributed copies of the Questionnaire and the Children and Young People’s Consultation Document and it was clearly stated that copies were also available on the Council's website. During the session the facilitator noted pupils' responses through different activities. All responses were highlighted in a report by the facilitator. Any pupil was welcome to complete a questionnaire as well and send it to the Council if they had either missed the session with the facilitator or were anxious to express a further opinion. A session was held with children in Ysgol Clogau on 5 November 2014. 8.36 Information was not provided regarding 'how to appeal’ with the letter 1 It was clearly explained in the statutory notices that anyone can object by announcing the closure, except for addresses and e-mail details for sending writing to [email protected] or to the Head of Education, appeals. This is less than what is usually expected by a professional body, or it is a Cyngor Gwynedd, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH. serious error. When queries were received either by telephone or in e-mail regarding presenting objections and the objection process, officers replied quickly and explained the process, noting how to present objections, how and where background information was to be found and giving the contact details of the School Organisation office if members of the public wanted further information.

8.37 Shame on you all, and especially our local c ouncillors. We would have expected 1 This is an i ssue to be discussed with local members. them to listen to local opinions and fight our corner, but it does not appear that saving successful Welsh rural schools, and having a clear conscience, means anything to them or to the Education Authority. 9 Finance 9.1 Don’t understand the logic of your proposal at all. I cannot see how it saves 1 The Council is of the opinion that the expected savings of £255,625 is significant money. Am sure that you have done a lot of research and have valid reasons but I but it must be remembered that the financial factors (including savings) are would like to hear them from a member of the Council. only one consideration when it comes to school reorganisation. The Council 9.2 Please reconsider this proposal before you destroy the opportunities of young 1 believes that the proposed model offers a better use of resources (staff and people in Meirionnydd for a future full of possibilities by trying to implement equipment, buildings etc.) and increases efficiency. plans to save money. 9.3 Spend our scarce money in the right places. 1 This is no small expenditure; it is a significant investment in the catchment- 9.4 Parents from Brithdir area are not going to take their children to the new school 1 area. The Primary sites of Dolgellau, Llanelltyd and Rhydymain will receive in Rhydymain so a waste of money. investment to upgrade them and enable children to receive their education in an educational establishment that is suitable for the 21st Century. The backlog maintenance needs of the sites of Friog, Dinas Mawddwy and Y Gader schools will also be undertaken. 9.5 From what I understand, the main purpose of this reorganization is to save 1 Financial factors are only one factor when comparing and appraising the money. But I also under the impression that Ysgol Clogau is doing very well different options relating to school reorganisation. financially, although most of the costs of running the school are managed by Gwynedd Council. In the 2013/2014 financial year, Ysgol Clogau received £19,799 in minimum 9.6 Obviously, the main issue that concerns you is to find a solution that makes 1 teaching staffing protection in addition to its allocation in order to employ a savings so you do not miss out on the 21 st Century Schools Grant, and we do not head teacher and a teacher. The cost per pupil was £6,143 while the County accept that your model is compatible with the requirements of the grant anyway average was £3,910 for the same period. By the 2014/15 financial year, Ysgol as regards "providing the highest possible quality education". Clogau has received an additional £34,561 in minimum teaching staffing protection, with the cost per pupil increased to £7,772, which is more than double the County average of £3,856.

There will be a need to submit business cases to secure capital investment by Welsh Government. The Council is of the opinion that the proposal offers the best possible option to provide education of the highest possible quality in the catchment area of Y Gader, Dolgellau.

9.7 The governors of Ysgol Brithdir appreciate that the financial situation of 5 The Council has considered financial factors and has considered the future of education in fragile and difficult at the moment. However, it must ensure that education provision as part of the options appraisal before undertaking the any expenditure that is made in this plan is a wise long-term investment. We statutory consultation. trust that common sense will prevail, and that there will be further consideration of the Brithdir site / We trust that there is common sense and backbone within It is true that there are a number of reasons in favour of developing the Brithdir the Council to re-examine the reorganization of Y Gader schools. site and the Council did decide to include it as part of the original proposal. Unfortunately, we came across significant constraints and problems leading to a significant increase in the cost of developing the site and it was decided not to proceed with the proposal to establish a Multi-site Area School in Brithdir and Dinas Mawddwy.

A number of different factors have been considered in developing the proposed preferred option. In fact, a number of the reasons listed are some of the reasons given for selecting Brithdir as part of the previous proposal. Unfortunately, developing the site of Ysgol Brithdir is no longer a possibility due to the reasons explained above. 9.8 Is the money earmarked for upgrading the Brithdir site for Llanfachreth B rithdir 1 It is intended to secure capital investment of £4.34million on educational sites and Rhydymain children, actually earmarked for the area as a whole? Will a large in the Gader catchment-area and the figure that was allocated as part of the part of it be spent on the schools in the Town? Not on educational resources but previous scheme is now included in this amount. Given the economic climate, the majority on parking? Our children will not receive a significant investment in the Council considers this to be a significant financial commitment. their education as Dysynni children did. 9. 9 As regards ‘extra costs’ of rural schools, the SRSN (Rural Schools Network 1 Wales’ funding system is very different to that of Scotland. In Scotland the Scotland) report looked at the true facts as regards costs and came to the formula for calculating the general grant received by authorities considers the following conclusions: actual school numbers and sizes, whilst in Wales the decisions to open / close individual schools has no impact on grant funding. Therefore, the same financial Budget after Budget per pupil Total pupils considerations to not apply. support after support Small rural ( <70) = 1,022 1,544,831 1,512 Others = 7,169 24,587,502 3,430 Total = 8,191 26,132,333 3,190

From these figures, it is clear, rather than there being an additional cost for the council to maintain rural schools, there are in fact significant financial advantages for the education budget as a whole. If children were taught in bigger schools (unlikely given the additional transport costs), a child's education in a rural school would cost about the same cost as the average for other pupils, the net loss for the council in the education budget in the future would be around £1.96m - the additional amount in the Scottish Borders Council GAE 2012/13 settlement was

£1.58m. It is important to note that some town and city centres receive grants and these are not included in the cost per pupil. 9.1 0 Has the cost of the 'Reorganisation' ove rall been calculated in the light of 1 The Council is committed to fund the school organisation process in order to savings? Given that this will be the agenda for the next 10 years, the number of secure a sustainable education system for the future in accordance with the people employed full time and part time to do the work and the additional time objectives of the reorganisation strategy. Given the current financial climate, it has taken teachers and heads to attend meetings and follow-up - where have the savings created mean that the level cuts that affect the remainder of the these costs been noted? County’s schools is less than the level of cuts that would be required should school reorganisation have not taken place at all. 9.1 1 Could a new school af ford to lose the substantial funding that comes at the 1 The school's budget is determined on grounds of the number of pupils moment from the Barmouth area, if families in Barmouth choose education attending it. The Head teacher and the governing body will need to ensure that provision elsewhere if this proposal becomes a reality? the school operates within the finance that is allocated. The nature of pupil numbers is that they fluctuate and the Head teacher and governing body must bear this in mind and plan ahead. 9.1 2 In terms of savings and budgets, a recent quote by Cllr. Peredur Jenkins in 1 This decision was not done in haste, in fact discussions on reorganising schools presenting the Budget 2014/15 Council was as follows: "1.4 In accordance with in the Gader catchment have been ongoing for some time. The Council has sound financial management arrangements, we have been busy preparing for an followed the appropriate steps and the relevant timetable linked to the extended period of financial constraints and therefore we are in a position in statutory processes in accordance with the Schools Organisation Code 2014/15 of not having to rush to find savings. This means that we do not have to (006/2013) and the Schools Standards and Organisation Act 2013. make decisions in a hurry, and as a result, finding ourselves in the position of having to make cuts in those areas would have a devastating impact on the people of Gwynedd.”

10 Statistics 10.1 Clogau has held a meeting for parents, surprised to see the number of pre -school 4 When completing research before starting the process, the heads of the children there - these would attend Ysgol Clogau if it remains open. These are the catchment area schools were given the opportunity to check statistics in the children of the area - so the numbers are sustainable / Ysgol Clogau document statistics pack. As the statutory process takes time, a snapshot of data was received from Gwynedd Council on 22/11/2007 about the fact that new capacity taken for one academic year and then these were used consistently, to avoid figures of Ysgol Clogau were 32 not 36 as stated in the Consultation Document. 7 any confusion. additional pupils living in Bontddu registered to attend Ysgol Clogau over the next 3 years, 2 pupils from Dolgellau with an older sibling at the school, 2 babies As noted in the statistics pack and the consultation document, the capacity of were born recently and live in Bontddu (these figures were not included in the Ysgol Clogau is 32 from the Reception year to year 6, and 4 in the nursery which document but it is useful to note). gives a total of 36. This is reported annually to the head.

It is not possible to collect data on prospective children accurately, but heads provide forecasts on an annual basis. Based on September 2013 data, the head of Ysgol Clogau identified the following three year projections: Year Estim ates Number Surplus % Surplus Places

Full Number Places % Surplus Site capacity Surplus September 2014 26 10 28% Places (N-Y6) Places September 2015 27 9 25% Ysgol Clogau September 2016 26 10 28% 32 4 12.5% 2014/15 More recent data was received in September 2014 but could not be included in Prospects Ysgol the statutory consultation document as the data had not been verified in time. 32 4 12.5% Clogau 2015/16 This three-year projections of the head in September 2014 were: 0% 39 Year Estimates Number Surplus % Surplus Places Note 2009/10 32 0 pupils Places 2016/17 32 2 6% September 2015 29 7 19% 0% 34 September 2016 31 6 17% 2017/18 32 0 pupils September 2017 32 4 11% Therefore, the information received by the head showed a slight increase in the Based on accurate current figures, Ysgol Clogau will be full in the next academic projections but it does not mean that there are no surplus places as suggested year, the trend is for the capacity to be exceeded due to new families living in in the objection. Bontddu. Historically, the numbers vary and one or two families moving into or out of the area can make a big difference - we must remember this / Ysgol Clogau The Council accepts that the numbers can change and that the impact of one could have a sustainable future. Younger siblings of current pupils hope to attend family, as identified in the objections, can have a major impact on the numbers. school / Number of families have recently moved to Bontddu - greatly affects the This is one of the reasons the Council believes that the proposal will stabilize figures in terms of current percentages and future prospects. The local councillor, educational provision in the area. In bringing pupils and three schools together Gethin Williams, has been promoting the excellence of Ysgol Clogau with a family on Llanelltyd site, the impact of any one family will not be so great on the considering moving to the area from Manchester, knowing full well that it was numbers and experiences of pupils. going to close. The family made the move and then found out that the school was going to close, but they have seen that it is an excellent school and are In terms of sustainability of Ysgol Clogau, the Council does not believe that the determined to keep it open / At the beginning of 2014/15 6 pupils left 6 pupils school is sustainable for the future. Even if the school is full with 36 pupils, this left Ysgol Clogau having heard that the school is to close. The threat of closure would still mean that the school is financially dependent on additional funding over many years has resulted in unnecessary stress and a lot of local parents through the safety net to ensure staffing and employment of the head teacher / have been encouraged not to send pupils because the school is to be closed. teacher. So, without additional permanent support, the school is not able to continue.

The Authority is not aware of any request to transfer from Ysgol Clogau to another school in Gwynedd in the period February 2014 to April 2015. 10.2 Why take them to Ysgol Rhydymain with only a few children there and located on 4 A number of different factors have been considered when developing the the catchment area’s periphery? /There has been excellent collaboration proposed preferred option. It is believed that the proposed option offers the between Ysgol Brithdir and Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd - children and teachers have best way forward to ensure the viability of the Gader catchment educational benefited, but it does not make sense to move 44 children to a school with 16 provision. pupils as the majority live closer to Brithdir. / Almost certain the number of

children, despite the reorganization, will continue to fall in Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd, The Cou ncil is committed to maintaining rural education and is doing this by and that at least 3 out of 4 rural primary schools (Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd, Ysgol including the Rhydymain site as part of the preferred model. This means that Dinas Mawddwy and Ysgol Friog) will have surplus places. With such a limited there is an option of rural education in the Eastern part of the catchment area. and sporadic model, how can the Council expect it to succeed, and how will it The Rhydymain site will be more viable following the proposed investment. The explain to the Welsh Government and the Minister for Education and Skills?/ message that has been received during discussions is that there is a need to Numbers and sustainability have been foremost in your decision making. How continue to provide rural education. If the desire is to keep local rural then did you choose a site that is not in present nor past number terms education, the hope is that parents will support the Rhydymain education site. sustainable? Between 1975 and 2013 -42% is the number for the Rhydymain site. By bringing children of the local areas (Machreth, Brithdir and Rhydymain) This site has not been a natural parent choice for years. This site, without the together on one site, it is hoped that the school will be prosperous. If the benefit of reorganization, would have closed because of the low numbers many parents of the town continue to choose rural education for their children, years ago. The site is not accessible to parents and is therefore not a viable site. despite the distance, this will further contribute to the sustainability of the site. Ysgol Brithdir is full, no surplus spaces. There is no demand for a school on the outskirts of the catchment area. Spending on a site which statistics show is Gwynedd Council is keen to see every child in the County being offered the clearly not sustainable - cost per pupil is £ 10,616 at Ysgol Rhydymain, but on the same provision as regards education and opportunity. Because of this, this other hand cost per pupil is £ 4,142 at Ysgol Brithdir. How can you justify proposal to provide primary education on 5 sites rather than 9 will mean better spending such sums on a plan which is not sustainable, while education is facing resources, storage space, library, IT, hall and playing field. huge cuts and has to scrape for every penny? 10.3 Be honest about your vision and priorities. If rural education, equal 8 The Council recognizes that there is frustration at the grass roots because the opportunities, protection of the language is important to you then you must previous consultation was not realized. This is the nature of the process of reconsider the rural site for the east of the catchment area and support the school reorganization; it is possible to modify and re-consult on different Brithdir site. We trust you will see sense and realize that Brithdir should be your options in developing the proposal. This is why the Council is clear that the rural site – it is a sustainable site, a site with a full school already, it is an present proposal is the preferred option, but the final decision has not yet been accessible site, the site will protect the language./ Numbers at the Ysgol Brithdir made. are sustainable, and have been consistent for many years. Ysgol Brithdir is the only site in Y Gader catchment area without surplus places. The most important A number of different factors have been considered when developing the factor as regards maintaining rural and sustainable education in the future. If proposed preferred option. Some of the factors considered were number of Councillors do not reconsider and adopt what was approved by the Welsh pupils, surplus places and pupil projections. Government in November 2012, it is clear that the Council does not intend to maintain rural Welsh education/ 44 children in 2014-15 attending Ysgol Brithdir It is true that there are a number of reasons in favour of the development of and 46 in 2013-14. Ieuan Gwynedd school has the second highest number of Brithdir site and the Council decided to include it as part of the original surplus places in the area - 60% today (school capacity 45, 15 on the register in proposal. Unfortunately, significant limitations and problems were discovered, 2013, and only six 3-7 year olds) forecasts show 71% by 2017. 18 children in representing a significant increase in the cost of developing the site and it was 2014-15 / Why close a successful school full to capacity, well attended with 44 decided not to proceed with the proposal to establish a Multi-site Area School pupils and a waiting list, with the ‘Seren Fach’ nursery only a hundred yards in Brithdir and Dinas Mawddwy. away, with babies ready to attend ? It does not make sense / Object to closing Ysgol Brithdir, the only school in the Gader catchment area without surplus places now and according to your figures, no surplus places by 2017 / Ysgol

Brithdir is viable and sustainable for the future. An increase of 119% in the number of pupils between 1975 and 2013 at Brithdir. Rhydymain, the preferred site in the model, has seen a decline of 42% over the same period. 10.4 Figures incorrect at bottom of page 37, section 5.3 – it is noted that in 2013 the 1 The statistics are not wrong, but accept that the last line should read the table population of Y Gader school was 402. Then figure has been added to the total 'number of pupils attending schools in the catchment area' rather than 'the population of primary schools, and referred to as the total for the Catchment total of the catchment area' which gives the impression that it is pupils living in area. This is incorrect as about 102 students out of 402 in Y Gader come from the catchment area of Y Gader that are referred to. outside that area - 80 from Barmouth itself 10.5 A large increase in births in Dolgellau at the moment, don’t these small babies 1 Although projections show a reduction in the primary level pupils over the next deserve the best possible start? few years, the Council is pleased to hear from local people that there has been an increase in births within the catchment. Any child born this year will be able to enter the nursery in September 2018 in accordance with the county’s Admission Policy (subject to parental preference). The Council seeks to "provide education of the highest quality that will provide the experiences, skills and confidence to the County's children and enable them to develop to be bilingual, successful and fulfilled", and that is what it is hoped that the proposed model will achieve and will offer to all children in the catchment area for the future. 10.6 It appears that the reason for the large number of surplus places in Dolgellau, in 1 A high number of pupils outside the catchment area attend Y Gader school, in the Primary School and Y Gader school is parental choice and the fact that they fact over 100 travel into the area to receive their secondary education. It is true prefer the provision of education in small schools and in secondary schools that a number of primary pupils travel out of town to the country but the Gader outside the area where the educational experience and the results are much is an unusual catchment area when you consider the high number of better. movements across catchments that occur in the primary sector. Some pupils who live in the catchment area of a small rural school travel to another rural school, and some come from outside the Gader catchment. Parents and pupils can choose a school for many different reasons, and this reason can change over time. 11 Alternative Options 11.1 Early in this Consultation Process in 2010, a Group from Ysgol Clogau put 1 We understand that this model is a collaboration model between Clogau, Friog, together an alternative solution to Gwynedd Council. The issues it investigated Ganllwyd, Ieuan Gwynedd, Dinas Mawddwy, Dolgellau Primary and Y Gader and analysed formed the backdrop to a forward thinking solution of Education in schools. It would mean closing Ysgol y Brithdir, Ysgol Llanelltyd and Ysgol the Catchment. We were never presented with reasons whereby this proposal Machreth and establishing an informal collaboration between the other schools was not considered suitable and why it could not have been one of the models to which would mean co-scheduling the primary curriculum. The Council is aware be up for consideration during the consultation process. Why? of this alternative option that was presented by Ysgol Clogau representatives; in Lord Woolf MR in R v North & East Devon Health Authority fact, this model was included as one of the 8 models in the options appraisal. “It is common ground that, whether or not consultation of interested parties and The model was appraised before the Cabinet decided on the option to be the public is a legal requirement, if it is embarked upon it must be carried out consulted on in September 2014 and was also included in the statutory properly. To be proper, consultation must be undertaken at a time when consultation document. This model was appraised in accordance with the

proposals are still at a formative stage; it must include sufficient reasons for specific considerations and there were several factors as to why it wasn’t particular proposals to allow those consulted to give intelligent consideration and considered as the favoured option. an intelligent response; adequate time must be given for this purpose; and the product of consultation must be conscientiously taken into account when the ultimate decision is taken”. 11.2 The proposal in th e catchment also does not prov ide for a 3-19 school, as in 1 An arrangement has been in pl ace for some time that the College provides Lampeter but just up to 16. Why is the college being left out of the discussions? post-16 education in Y Gader catchment area. Discussions are being held with Are Gwynedd Council satisfied with the success of the College? There are lots of the College and they are completely aware of the proposal under consideration. opportunities for 6th Formers to be engaged in assisting with clubs and teaching The comments received by them during the statutory consultation period noted pupils lower down the school. Why are these concepts not being discussed? In that: raising the standards of education in Gwynedd, are we talking about just up to 16 “Grŵp Llandrillo Menai are extremely proud of the close collaboration between years? Why does the proposal omit ages up to 19? the Group and Gwynedd County Council in the context of education and business development arrangements. In particular the work of the post-16 Consortium is strategically important to us. We believe that the plans in terms of establishing one school for ages 3-16 under the wing of Ysgol Y Gader in Dolgellau is sensible and sustainable. Therefore, I confirm our official support to the proposed development.” The Council would welcome any collaboration arrangement between the College and the All-through Catchment-area school that would create new experiences and opportunities for the catchment area’s children and students. If a final decision is made this will be a discussion that will need to be held between the Head teacher and the College to explore the possibilities. 12 General 12.1 This whole process is a waste of time and money, shutting brilliant schools to 1 The Council is of the opinion that an All -through Catchment -area school offers send the children to struggling ones. I've said it before and the council just keeps the best possible answer in terms of ensuring strong and sustainable education living up to it 'NO COMMON SENSE’. Well done in ruining an entire generation of for the future. It does not believe that the current situation is sustainable. In children's education, all for saving a little bit of money...... disgusting..... order to achieve this, every school in the catchment will close and a completely 12.2 Since when does money predominate children’s’ education? Your decision will 1 new School will be established. This means a completely new governing body, effect education for children from the age of 3 to 16 years. It is your duty to head teacher and staffing structure, with the means to develop the good make correct and wise decisions and not to make decisions on the basis of the educational practice that already exists in the catchment to ensure that pupils cheapest option. You cannot apologise after making rash decisions to close a full in the area receive the best possible educational provision. Even though to capacity successful school in Brithdir. A school that succeeds in providing funding issues, including potential savings, are a consideration when evaluating excellent education and provides children with limitless extra-curricular options, it is not the only factor. opportunities.

12.3 I have just attended a meeting with the Governors of my children's school (Ysgol 1 The Council accepts that a period of change and proposing a new arrangement y Clogau) and I am dismayed by your proposal to close the school in 2017. I is likely to cause concern for everyone affected by the proposal, including the moved my family to Bontddu for many reasons - but one reason was to choose a parents of the pupils in question. Every effort will be made to try and alleviate different life and education for my children. So obviously for personal reasons I these concerns as much as possible through regular communication and sharing am devastated but I think your proposals warrant more than a response from the of information. heart. 12.4 As a paren t of children in the village of Bontddu, I am very dismayed and 1 If the Cabinet decides to continue with the proposal a new work package to concerned at the plans to permanently close Ysgol Y Clogau here in Bontddu. My establish the All-through school will begin, which includes aspects such as children aren't yet school age and therefore may never get the opportunity to forming a shadow governing body, arrangements for appointing a head teacher attend the school that by all accounts seems to be a really happy school and the rest of the staffing structure, and arranging assistance and guidance providing a good education. from the Councils human resources department etc. for staff at the existing school. 12.5 I plead with you to consider the comments presented to ensure the most 1 A full copy of the objections and the Council’s reponse to them will be shared appropriate way of presenting improvement evidence without weakening the with the Cabinet Members before a final decision is made. Along with this current system. table, a report, which includes the objections comments, will be discussed in 12.6 Is there any common sense left at all in the Educ ation Department in Caernarfon 1 the Cabinet’s meeting on 19 May 2015 and following consideration of these or are we too far in the south of Gwynedd to be of any importance? objections and the Council’s responses to them, the Cabinet will decide whether or not to continue with the proposal to establish an All-through Catchmenti-area School. 12.7 Ysgol Brithdir Parents Group vehemently oppose Gwynedd Council’s proposal to 1 All objections, a total of 53, an d the Council’s reponse to them, will be establish an all through multi-site school in the Gader, Dolgellau catchment area, presented to the Cabinet Members before they make a final decision on the in particular to locate the easterly site of the catchment in Ysgol Ieuan Gwynedd, proposal. Rhydymain. 12.8 I would like to formally state my objection to re -organise Ysgol y Gader, close the 1 school and to re-open it as a new school in 2017. 12.9 Former portfolio holder Liz Saville Roberts is no longer in favour of the decision 1 It is no longer our inten tion to develop the Brithdir site. The proposal is to made by her whilst in the post, to develop the Brithdir site. Completely incredible establish an All-through Catchment-area school on the current school sites of Y considering all the research that was completed before reaching that Gader, Dolgellau Primary, Friog, Dinas Mawddwy, Llanelltyd and Ieuan recommendation. It’s not possible to trust individuals if this is what is to be Gwynedd (in Rhydymain). expected. 12.10 The Brithdir community feel that the Council are closing Ysgol Brithdir on the 1 The Council is of the opinion that an All -through Catchment -area school offers basis of lies and deceit. the best possible answer in terms of ensuring strong and sustainable education for the future. When choosing sites for the all-through catchment school, the 12.11 I hope that you will pay attention to this objection and that you will reach the 3 Brithdir site was considered, along with all other current school sites. correct result, which is not to close a school full of children! Not to close Ysgol Brithdir! / Give fairness to children and parents that have chosen Brithdir for years / See sense and don’t close Ysgol Brithdir, a full site.

12.12 I sincerely hope that you will look at the big picture in a positive way i.e. the 1 schools good location, extremely pro-active teachers and parents, Seren Fach feeding children to the school. 12.13 I urge you to reconsider your decision to close ysgol Brithdir – Gwynedd Council’s 1 main concern is surplus places, but there aren’t any surplus places in Brithdir. 12.14 I hope that you will carefully reconsider your plans as i believe in democracy and 2 The Cabinet wil l need to carefully consider, in its meeting on 19 May 2015, all the right of choice and I believe that you are trying to take this away from us. objections received and the Council’s response to them prior to making a final decision on whether or not to continue with the proposal. 12.15 Shame on Gwynedd Council, especially on the com munist Plaid Cymru councillors 1 The Cabinet Members will need to consider this comment, along with the 53 that have lied to and deceived Brithdir children, parents and inhabitants by objections before making a final decision on the proposal. saying that there’s a rock where the extension was meant to be and also for blaming the Parc for rejecting sketches. 44 children are being scattered from a happy rural school. Shame on you. 12.16 Its Ysgol Brithdir’s forward thinking that has kept Ysgol Rhydymain ope n by 1 The Council is pleased that Brithdir a nd Ieuan Gwynedd schools have been sharing a head teacher and staff. These decisions were made when the Assembly collaborating closely by sharing a head teacher since Ysgol Brithdir’s former confirmed that the rural school site would be in Brithdir. What would have Ysgol head teacher retired. Rhydymain’s fate have been if it weren’t for this? 12.17 Naturally, we want to see Ysgol Clogau remain open with the same learning 1 The Cabinet will need to carefully consider, in its meeting on 19 May 2015, all structure in place. objections received and the Council’s reponse to them and decide finally on whether or not to continue with the proposal. 12.18 The answer received by officers is, that these decisions will be the work of the 1 Every effort has been made to explain how the proposal will affect children, shadow governing body. This is not good enough. The details of this model are all staff and the wider community. As the final decision has not yet been made, it’s important to everyone as we try to move forward and accept change. How are hard to go into detail on some aspects of the proposal; the proposal will children, teachers and the wider community supposed to accept change in a become clear in time and after the completion of specific tasks. Specific positive way, without knowing how the plan will affect them? sections within this table discuss staffing and community matters as well as the effect on the quality of education.

This proposal will have different effect on different pupils subject to their current school and their age. During the consultation period a simple consultation document for secondary and primary ages was published, in addition to the consultation sessions that were held by a specialist children and young adult’s facilitator. These sessions explained the proposal, and the effect it would have on them, by asking their opinion in terms of the good things and their concerns.

Petition Analysis

As part of the objections, a petition was received containing 179 signatures from people agreeing with the following statement: “We, the undersigned, call on the Minister for Education & Skills in Wales and the Head of Education for Gwynedd to save Ysgol y Clogau, Bontddu, Gwynedd, from closure.”

Within this petition, some signatures were accompanied by comments; here is an analysis of those comments:

Comment Gwynedd Council’s Response Comment Code of Number noting petitioners the point 1 Have witnessed first hand the hard work of a group of teac hers expertly D1/ The Council is very glad to hear about the positive experiences of pupils at Ysgol directed and inspired by the Head Teacher. Successful team that operate very D11/ Clogau. The Council hopes that this proposal will maintain and in some respect, efficiently and effectively with much support from the parents/ I’ve worked D23/ improve the quality of education in the catchment area whilst also investing in here, the teachers are fantastic/ Brilliant school with excellent teachers / D57/ resources suitable for the 21 st century. This will create new experiences and Excellent school, have enable my child to flourish – without this school my child D69/ opportunities for the catchment area’s children pupils in order to develop their wouldn’t be expecting the grades she is now / My child went to Ysgol Clogau D116/ skills and confidence. great school with great teachers / School did a wonderful job in preparing my D119/ child for secondary school and children going forward to college/ Thanks for the D122/ Establishing one school could enable the flexibility across all the ages so that wonderful work/ Ysgol Clogau incorporates positive aspects of creative, warm D130/ sharing resources, staff and facilities, becomes standard practice. The all and healthy educational environment anyone could wish for/ Fantastic school./ D138/ through school model should provide a more effective context for managers to Bontddu School has always had a very good reputation and high standards/ D156/ manage resources and to plan education within the establishment. An all Please keep this school open/ School is vital for children that are there and D166/ through school could provide additional opportunities for maintaining the ethos benefit immensely / If this small school closes it will be detrimental to so many D169/ and general values across the school and these should provide a more effective children, and to the community. In this small school, and others alike you are D174/ context for improving the quality of teaching and learning. not just a body making up the numbers, you are a true person that counts … D179 this school must stay open. / My children have just moved to the village and the The Council recognizes that any period of change creates uncertainty in the school. It’s fantastic – a real gem of a school with a great community feel. It’s local community. If the proposal is realised, the Council is committed to such a shame that the dogma of ‘bigger is better’ has to prevail everywhere/ working with the community in order to mitigate the possible negative side- Both my children attended this lovely school and had a very happy time. It was effects of the change in provision. important to me that they went to a school where they had a very ‘holistic’ approach to education. Each child’s needs are able to be met in a small school, At present a number of primary school head teachers are teaching for a which i believe the key to help the child grow in confidence and self-belief, both considerable part of their time and are not sufficiently released for leadership, extremely important in developing a well-rounded adult. /As a parent of two management and planning duties. In creating a new leadership and children at Ysgol y Clogau, I know first hand the outstanding ethos and quality management structure for the proposed school, it will not be necessary for the of teaching provided by the leadership and staff. It is madness to close such an head teacher to teach for most of his/her time. The structure will allow the

outstanding school in order to benefit from ring fenced money. This is short - development of a site leader / managers who will gain the necessary skills to be sighted and political suicide / Wonderful school of learning, wonderful, clever, successful leaders, with a guarantee of support from experienced individuals to kind headmistress (Helen) and teacher Sioned you make a perfect team along whom they can turn. with your support staff. Pupils always appear to be very happy to be at school. / I would have been lost without the help and support which I received from the school with my eldest child. My children could not have had a better start in life without this school Ysgol Clogau. Exceptional, kind, caring, thoughtful teachers/ Small schools give more attention to pupils. Invaluable. / Fantastic Head Teacher 2 My child loves it at the School exactly as I and my sibling did years ago – I have D7/ very fond memories of the place and it remains a great school to this day/ D27/ Please consider very carefully how the loss of this school will impact young D28/ children who thrive and blossom in smaller environment and will be lost and D87/ inhibited in a large less personal educational establishment – maybe having to D93/ travel a distance to get there. These are young children not teenagers. D100/ /Nephew loves to come home and tell us what he’s been doing all day / I used D103 to go to this primary school and I can honestly say it was the best school for miles/ Closing it will be detrimental to the community of Bontddu and force parents to drive further afield/ I went to this school between the age of 5-11 and found that when I went on to Ysgol Y Gader I was far more educated and widely read than my peers from Dolgellau.

3 Integral part of the community / As a child from a small school myself that has D1/D2 The Council realises that any school can be an integral part of the local closed (Ysgol y Parc) i know what effect closing a little school does to a /D7/ community and that local people have strong feelings regarding keeping the community – It kills the community, makes children separate from each other D23/ local school open. Even so, it has to be emphasized that the purpose of a school and causes more and more friction/ We cannot afford to lose our local schools D67/ in any village is to provide the best possible education for the pupils. The as not only is it education for the children but a local network/community of D93/ purpose of the proposal is to establish an education structure of the best people, essential for the welfare of our communities / A friendly school with D114/ possible quality for the Gader catchment pupils and develop experience, skills the most committed staff and as such has been a centre for the whole D116/ and confidence in order for them to develop to their full potential. community. / Please continue to support these little schools that are vital to the D132/ lifeblood of the local communities. / Closing down local schools can take the D151/ Having said that, the Council recognises that closing educational sites in a heart out of a community/ Can’t close the school as it is a good school for the D153/ village has a negative effect on that community but that alleviation measures community that live there/ Small schools are the lifeblood of communities – D154/ can reduce the negative effect. The community impact assessment notes: and of the language. Shutting the school means killing the community / Please D163 “The effect of the models on the communities, and however far-reaching the do not close our schools, it may be easier and cheaper to reduce council officers impact, is dependent on the alleviation measures which are adopted in response and outsource services / Small community schools are highly valued, it would to the change. This is true in each of the 8 models. In the communities where be a great shame to see this school close. schools will close, it is suggested that some of the alleviation measures are adopted. These alleviation measures will be considered by the Council to be incorporated should the decision be taken to implement the proposal in the catchment:

• In order to create an inclusive spirit and ownership, it should be ensured at the beginning and throughout the transitional process that the Governors of every school are a core part of the development and decisions with regular information being distributed to parents, • Consult appropriately with the villages and local communities as regards purposeful use of all buildings to the future • A programme should be drawn up to ensure that a proportion of community activities of the new school (concert, coffee evening aso) are arranged in the villages where schools close, in addition to villages where schools will continue • The Council should ensure that transport arrangements are appropriate”

The Council can give further consideration to alleviation measures if the model is implemented. 4 It would be a grave mistake and profound permanent loss to close this D1/D3 The Council is pleased to hear about the positive experiences of the current extraordinary school/ Ysgol Y Clogau needs the opportunity to move forward /D5/ Ysgol y Clogau pupils and the ex-pupils of the school. In response to the without the oppressive cloud of closure hanging over it. /Please listen to us/ D7/D8 comment regarding the closure of small schools, the Council wishes to note Please keep this amazing school open. / Very disappointed to hear that Ysgol Y /D17/ that the emphasis of this proposal is not on closing small schools. The aim of Clogau is to be shut. I thrived in Bontddu Primary school. / Please keep our D23/ this proposal is to support and continue the finest elements and ethos of the

school open. / It helps children that need attention/ Save our school, save our D28/ education within the ca tchment while investing in resources suitable to the 21 st village and don’t choke rural Wales/ Would be very sad to see this close/ It is a D29/ Century. The hope is that this proposal to provide primary education on 5 sites tragedy to think that a small school which has made such a big impact on the D30/ rather than 9 will mean better resources and consistent standards, and in some lives of so many children, young people, who then make up the adults of their D34 respects, improve the education provision in the catchment and ensure that the community in the future, can be overlooked with such disregard in the interests /D39/ resources are distributed more fairly. of achieving political goals. / Leave our schools alone. Small is good. / Don’t D44/ mess around with the happy locations, and full education of the future adults of D62/ the country / Save our schools / I can’t believe this amazing school might be D59/ closed – It was my primary school and a really special place./ Please keep the D73 school so that our little kiddies can attend / Why must all these small schools /D76/ close?? Why not spend money on existing schools where children are happy D107/ instead of spending on new big schools where children are just a statistic on a D108/ piece of paper/ Ysgol Y Clogau is the best school in the area, please don’t close D109/ it down. So much will be lost if rural schools like this are shut down. What D114/ children who attend these schools gain in values gives them the positive D131/ support much needed in the world today. If we let these schools close we let go D141/ of yet one more aspect of what is truly good about our British way of life. I feel D144/ privileged to have been given the opportunity to send my child to benefit from D150/ being a pupil at this school. She is now a confident and happy useful member of D158/ the community she has chosen to be a part of. Keep these little schools open D149/ please. / This school should not be closed/ I went to Ysgol Y Clogau and it was a D159/ brilliant primary school that helped shape many young pupils through the D160 medium of Welsh. I am very proud of it and would hate to see it closed. / Excellent school. It would be a tragedy for the community if it were closed. / Disgrace to even consider closing this fantastic school. 5 How is 1 teacher teaching a class of 30 kids better for their education, we have D4/ Gwynedd Council ha ve committed to safeguard rural education in the area by to listen to their facts and figures, but they refuse to even respond to a simple D44/ ensuring a sustainable and viable provision for the future. In the current letter, how many of these decision makers actually have a child in any of these D57/ unprecedented economic climate, the best and most effective use of resources schools? / I believe educating small groups of children, in classroom is best, for D103/ has to be made whilst keeping educational standards and pupil experience children and their education/ I believe that the school has done very well over D145 central to every proposal. the years in educating the local children/ I moved my daughter here as she was struggling in her previous primary school/ The standard of teaching and This proposal will ensure appropriate staffing levels, create more classes of the attention per child in such a small school is unrivalled. – contributes towards appropriate size with pupils of the same age. As a result the hope is that it will the character of any rural area and brings communities together/ It would be a facilitate teaching and learning to staff, as there are less differing syllabuses tragedy to lose this. / Quality has often a higher price because it requires a (curriculum which needs to be taught). Pupils will be able to learn side by side different approach. Protecting education is supposed to be paramount, so why with their peers. More in-depth responses to questions on the educational is everyone so intent upon ruining the local culture and language? Why not advantages of the all through school can be found in the objections analysis

keep what has proven to work for many years? table.

As regards the linguistic impact, the Council is of the opinion that this model will not have a negative effect on the language. In fact, it was ascertained in an independent language assessment that this model would have a “favourable impact which provides an opportunity to ensure consistency across the whole catchment …[this] model offers special advantages in terms of planning and providing statutory education which is consistent and stems from one holistic vision rather than from the direction of various establishments which will inevitably have different standpoints in terms of the desire to successfully achieve the county language policy and create bilingual, proficient young citizens. In a catchment area where Welsh is facing a number of basic challenges, it might be that planning the provision on the basis of one organisational vision is the best way to try and fulfil the requirements of the language policy, making best use of the larger staffing and teaching resources that a single establishment would possess across the various sites within the catchment area.” 6 If Gwynedd truly cared about what Welsh culture meant in Snowdonia , it would D39/ What this proposal is aimi ng to do is to respond to the current situation, which realise that these smalls schools are like jewels in the precious vibrant rural life D46/ is unsustainable, by stabilising the provision in the catchment and develop a that nestles in its majestic landscape/ By closing such a special, creative place as D73/ viable and resilient provision for the future. As regards comments which refer Ysgol Y Clogau, something which once shut down, will never see young children D74/ to the continuance of rural Welsh primary education, the Council would like to grow up and learn in this part of the Mawddach Estuary again/ Councillors are D109/ highlight that four rural primary sites will continue – Dinas Mawddwy, killing the communities they are serving/ I can’t think of worse hypocrisy/ Party D116/ Llanelltyd, Rhydymain and Friog. Even so, the Council does accept the concerns politics is failing these people – children are the ones who suffer and pay the D146/ raised regarding closing schools on rural communities and if the proposal is price at the hand of Councillors/ Closing a school that provides excellent D147 implemented, the Council is committed to work with the communities to education for financial reasons is scandalous and Plaid and Labour should hang alleviate the effects. their heads in shame. / They cannot undo what had been done once they realise the error of their judgement/ They are jeopardising the education of all Gwynedd children/ Councils should stop wasting money elsewhere and keep services such as schools open/ Think of the children for a change/ Gwynedd Council – keep this beautiful school alive/ Plenty of money available for fighting other peoples wars and leasing Porches for council managers… how about our kid’s welfare?/ Gwynedd CC trying to destroy what was Meirioneth – they have renamed it South Gwynedd. / This should never have been an issue / Rural Wales is in crisis, the continued cuts to services and particularly the closure of our village schools is inflicting a slow, painful death on our communities. The fact that our schools are being closed by Plaid Cymru, the party who profess to

being the only party in Wales who listen to people, is deeply offensive when whole communities, such as Y Parc near Bala, have begged and pleaded for their schools to remain open and those pleas fell on deaf ears. Our village schools are a vital part of rural life; they are woven into the tapestry of our culture and nourish the Welsh language in a way that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Our village schools give the children a precious sense of ‘place’ and belonging to their communities, what right does anyone have to take away something so greatly treasured? Ysgol Bontddu is so much more than a set of numbers on a target sheet, it is impossible to quantify the emotional benefits the children gain from their warm learning environment. The ‘consultation’ is a complete travesty of democracy and an insult to the feelings of the children, parents, staff and the wider community. 7 Measurable educational outcomes have been absent from the schools D98 It is emphasized that the main objective of the Strategy is to improve the reorganisation process in this catchment area leaving parents wholly uncertain quality of education and offer the best possible experiences for children to whether standards of education will worsen, be maintained or improve. develop their skills and confidence. The proposed plan has been based on evidence and full options appraisal. A number of factors were considered whilst developing the proposal, including improving education standards and factors such as class sizes, leadership and management, pupil numbers, standard and suitability of buildings etc. 8 Also, intervene to prevent the closure of Ysgol Llanfachreth, Ysgol y Ganllwyd D149 The objection has been noted. and Ysgol Brithdir