Conwy County Borough Council have come under pressure from Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS to protect the Capel Coed-Elan Federation Schools: Capel Garmon, Betws-y-Coed, and Dolwyddelan.
The calls come after it was disclosed to Mrs Finch-Saunders via Freedom of Information Request that “No decision has been made – discussions continue with the Federation”.
The Local Authority has also confirmed that the “Cabinet have not provided a direction”.
Commenting on the importance of protecting these rural primary schools, Janet said:
“Primary schools like Capel Garmon, Betws-y-Coed, and Dolwyddelan are the backbone of their communities.
“Whilst the number of pupils may be small, the positive impact the schools have is massive.
“These schools play an essential role in creating cohesive communities, helping the Welsh language to thrive, and in giving every single student present an opportunity to shine that is so much harder to have in much larger educational settings.
“The Independent, Plaid Cymru, and Labour Cabinet Members in Conwy should give a direction urgently that discussions with the Federation should stop because none of the three schools should close”.
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Freedom of Information Request
With regards to Capel Coed-Elan Federation Schools please provide:
- The date when it was decided that the Federation would be asked to consider which of the three schools to close;
No decision has been made – discussions continue with the Federation
- Whether the Council Cabinet has given a direction for one of the Federation schools to be considered for closure;
Cabinet have not provided a direction
- Whether the Cabinet Member for Education has given a direction for the Federation to be approached with a request that they consider which of the three schools could be closed.
No direction given
