Appendices Cabinet Report 21-05-13 Regarding Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel Schools
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Appendices Cabinet Report 21-05-13 Regarding Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel Schools Order Document 1 Local Members’ Comments 2 Statutory Consultation Document 3 Statutory Consultation Meeting Minutes 3.1 Ysgol Groeslon 3.2 Ysgol Carmel 3.3 Ysgol Bronyfoel Children and Young People Consultation 4 Analysis and Council’s Response to Comments Received During the Statutory 5 Consultation Period Appendix 1 Local Members’ Comments Y Cynghorydd / Councillor Ifor Dilwyn Lloyd Ward - Talysarn Cabinet Member, 21 May 2013 For the attention of Cabinet members regarding the Future of Educational Provision in the Groeslon, Carmel and Fron area [email protected] Thank you for the opportunity to present my following written comments for submission to Cabinet members on Tuesday 21 May, regarding the intention to close Carmel and Bronyfoel primary schools and build an Area School on the site of Ysgol Y Groeslon. Firstly, I find it very sad that I have to write this letter. However, there is currently huge unfairness in our area. And unfortunately, I don’t think that my comments today will ultimately make much difference as you have already decided on your course of action. But I must try and do my best and battle on behalf of the Talysarn ward – an Objective One deprived area – obviously a deprived area and which requires support and not be torn apart through the closure of two important schools! It is obvious that we at Carmel and y Fron are being punished due to Ysgol y Groeslon’s poor state. Get rid of two excellent schools in a good state due to another being in very poor condition! And that due to a failure to carry out the necessary work over the years – therefore as a new school has to be built at Y Groeslon (it was only built in 1978), we are being punished very heavily. This is completely unfair. What if Cllr Dyfed Edwards house fell down and the Assembly said that the only way to re- build it would be to demolish Cllr Dilwyn Lloyd’s house! Would that be fair? We need more help, not less! You may not be aware of this but the Groeslon area has not got close links with the Talysarn area. Groeslon lies in the parish of Llandwrog but I am a Talysarn Councillor. Believe me, the two wards are totally different and have different lifestyles. Indeed, the fact that Gwynedd Council will only save £45,000 through proceeding with this project appears to be a very small amount considering that we are losing two excellent schools – as stated during a recent meeting – this amount equates to only one headteacher’s salary. As regards the language study undertaken – I feel that this study tries to justify any reason for supporting our schools closure – the majority of pupils at ysgol Bronyfoel can speak Welsh, therefore the fact that their parents are Non-Welsh speakers proves nothing. Eryri House Carmel Caernarfon Gwynedd LL54 7AB 01286 882149 ---------------------------- e-bost/e-mail:[email protected] Y Cynghorydd / Councillor Ifor Dilwyn Lloyd Ward - Talysarn The pupils who attend Ysgol Bronyfoel have since their infancy, been taught through the medium of Welsh, therefore the fact that their parents are Non-Welsh speakers does not turn the playground into an English speaking zone. When I was a pupil at ysgol Syr Hugh Owen during the 80au there were quite a lot more non-Welsh speaking pupils there – but Welsh was spoken in the playground. Therefore, I have no faith in this language study. I would like to know what evidence you have as regards the “facts” of this study? I find the information contained incorrect. On another personal note, my family and my wife were educated at Ysgol Bronyfoel and at Ysgol Carmel – and also received the highest standard of education there. It would therefore be very sad to see both schools closing – both for us as a family and for every other family in the area who receive an excellent service at these schools. Close two excellent schools to make a small saving – disgusting. I ask you here today to look at the impacts of your decision – destroying the future of the two villages of Carmel and the Fron. Yours sincerely Dilwyn Lloyd Cllr Dilwyn Lloyd Eryri House Carmel Caernarfon Gwynedd LL54 7AB 01286 882149 ---------------------------- e-bost/e-mail:[email protected] Appendix 2 Statutory Consultation Document STATUTORY CONSULTATION GROESLON, CARMEL AND BRONYFOEL SCHOOLS 18 MARCH - 26 APRIL, 2013 Dalgylch Ysgol Groeslon Catchment Dalgylch Dalgylch Ysgol Bronyfoel Ysgol Carmel Catchment Catchment www.gwynedd.gov.uk CONTENTS Page Letter from the Head of Education 3 1. Introduction – The Consultation Explained 4-5 2. Background Details 6-8 2.1 How was this proposal developed? 6 2.2 Why review the education provision in the area? 6 2.3 Establishing an Area Review Panel 7 2.4 Meetings at Individual Schools 8 2.5 Children and Young People 8 2.6 Written Communication 8 3. Details of the Schools 9-11 3.1 Ysgol Groeslon 9 3.2 Ysgol Carmel 9 3.3 Ysgol Bronyfoel 9 3.4 Table of the Background Details about the Schools 10 3.5 Map of the Area 11 4. Evaluation of the Various Options 12-16 4.1 Collaboration/ Federal Model 12 4.2 Developing an Area School Model 12 4.3 Developing a Multi Site Area School Model 13 5. The Favoured Proposal 17-25 5.1 What is an Area School? 17 5.2 Why is an area school recommended? 17 5.3 Class Sizes 18 5.4 Pupil Numbers 19 5.5 Learning Environment and Quality of the Buildings 20 5.6 Quality of the Education 21 5.7 Leadership and Staffing 22 5.8 The Community 23 5.9 The Welsh Language 24 5.10 Equality Assessment 24 5.11 Financial Resources 25 5.12 Geographical Factors and Transport Matters 26 6. Choice of Site for the Area School 28-30 7. Implications of the Proposal 31-33 8. Timetable for the Statutory Process and the Next Steps 34 Response Form 2 Pennaeth Addysg Head of Education Dewi R. Jones Gofynnwch am / Ask for: Swyddfa Trefniadaeth Ysgolion School Organisation Office (01286) 679247 Ein Cyf / Our Ref: Trefniadaeth Ysgolion School Organisation [email protected] [email protected] 18 March 201 3 Dear Consultee, Between 18 March and 26 April 2013, we shall be undertaking a period of statutory consultation on a proposal for the reorganisation of three schools, namely Ysgol Groeslon, Ysgol Carmel and Ysgol Bronyfoel. At the end of the consultation period we shall submit a report on the findings to the Cabinet of Gwynedd Council. At its full meeting on 27 February 2013, the Cabinet of Gwynedd Council resolved to undertake a statutory consultation period in accordance with the requirements of Section 29 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 on the closure of Ysgol Groeslon, Ysgol Carmel, and Ysgol Bronyfoel on 31 August 2015. It was also resolved to undertake the statutory process in accordance with the requirements of Section 29 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 on the proposal to establish an Area Community School for 3 – 11 year olds, to open on 1st September, 2015 which will replace the schools at Y Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel. The statutory consultation aims to serve the communities of Ysgol Groeslon, Ysgol Carmel and Ysgol Bronyfoel catchment areas. Here is the consultation document for your attention. Please note that the statutory meetings timetable is laid out in this statutory consultation paper. A copy of this document, and other background papers, are available on the Council website www.gwynedd.gov.uk/schoolorganisation and in your local school and library. If you require further copies you are welcome to contact us by telephone on (01286) 679247 or by e-mailing us at [email protected] PLEASE NOTE – any observations on the statutory document should be sent to the School Organisation Office by 13:00 on Friday 26 April 2013. See the relevant contact details at the end of this statutory consultation paper. Sincerely, Dewi R. Jones Head of Education 3 GWYNEDD COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSAL TO CLOSE GROESLON, CARMEL AND BRONYFOEL SCHOOLS ON 31 AUGUST 2015 IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 29 OF THE SCHOOL STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORK ACT 1998 and A PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISHMENT AN AREA SCHOOL ON THE PRESENT SITE OF YSGOL GROESLON IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 29 OF THE SCHOOL STANDARDS AND FRAMEWORK ACT 1998 ON 1 SEPTEMBER 2015 STATUTORY CONSULTATION PAPER 1. INTRODUCTION – THE CONSULTATION EXPLAINED 1.1. Gwynedd Council is considering the reorganisation of education within the catchment areas of Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel schools. 1.2. At its meeting on 27 February 2013, the Cabinet of Gwynedd Council resolved to undertake a statutory consultation period in accordance with the requirements of Section 29 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 on the closure of Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel schools on 31 August 2015. 1.3. It was also resolved to undertake a process of statutory consultation in accordance with the requirements of Section 29 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 on the proposal to establish an Area Community School for 3 – 11 year olds at Y Groeslon to serve the existing catchment areas of Groeslon, Carmel and Bronyfoel schools. 1.4. Before proceeding with the proposal, Gwynedd Council is keen to obtain your views so that they can be considered before a decision is taken. 1.5. This period of statutory consultation will be held between 18 March 2013 and 26 April 2013.