Backlash over choice of names for new schools
PEOPLE are being given the chance to vote on names for three new schools opening in Rhondda Cynon Taf, but some residents are unhappy with the choices available.
In September 2024, RCT will be opening two new 3-16 schools in place of Pontypridd High and Clifynydd Primary School, along with Hawthorn High School, Hawthorn Primary School and Heol-y-Celyn Primary School.
It will also be opening a new Welsh Primary School in place of Heol-y-Celyn Primary (Welsh pupils) and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Pontsionnorton.
The consultation was open to the public to choose the proposed new names, until Wednesday (November 2), with the results being fed back to the temporary governing body.
Members of the temporary governing body will then make an informed decision on the proposed name that they will submit to Cabinet for consideration.
However, some residents are unhappy with the choices available, claiming the proposed names for the new 3-16 school in the area do not reflect the history of the schools involved.
Previous students of Hawthorn School said an English translation had not been given for the new names in the consultation, leaving non-Welsh speakers “clueless” as to what the new names meant. They also claimed the community was not notified of the online consultation, despite the council stating the process was intended to be open and transparent.
Denise Morgan, 71, who previously attended Hawthorn School said: “Many residents don’t know about it [the name change] and I went to Hawthorn School, my daughter-in-law and grandchildren went too, and we’re proud to have the school in our village.
“I know it has caused some problems - with extra traffic and parking - but at the end of the day, it’s our school and who we are.
“Now they suddenly want to change the name which I feel detaches it from Hawthorn, which is a shame because it’s a large part of the village.”
She added: “I would be quite happy for the Welsh translation of Hawthorn to be used, which is ‘ddraenen wen’ which is a compromise we can all accept, but why change our history?”
She felt the new proposed names were detaching the school from Hawthorn.
In the consultation, the new proposed names for Hawthorn 3-16 School are Ysgol Afon Wen, Ysgol Glan Dwr, Ysgol Cae Celyn, Ysgol Coed Ilan, or other.
For the new Pontypridd 3-16 School, the proposed new names are Ysgol Gymunedol Bo Taf, Ysgol Bro Taf, Ysgol Gymunedol Pontypridd, Ysgol Pontypridd, or other.
For the new Welsh Primary School in Rhydyfelin, the choices are Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Awel Taf, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Dyffryn Corrwg, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Dyffryn y Gamlas, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Bro Ilan or other.
But Denise also felt that the proposed name change should have been “more locally publicised” and that residents should have been allowed more time to complete the online survey, as the short closing date left them with limited time to comment.
Due to it only being online, some residents felt it excluded those, who for various reasons, did not have access to digital technology.
Christine Thompson, from Pontypridd, was also a previous student from Hawthorn and claimed the names put forward had no relation to a school located there.
“Changing the name of the school doesn’t change the school - to change the ethos of the school, you’ve got to lead from the top - it’s always going to be known as Hawthorn High School.”
In the consultation, RCT Council stated that: “The Governors have recently engaged with pupils and staff on the naming of the new school and the outcome of the consultation has provided a shortlist of names for consideration.”
A spokesperson for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “The names have been put forward by headteachers, staff and pupils at the six schools directly involved in the school organisation proposals. We thought it was really important for the pupils themselves to have their say.
“The Temporary Governing Bodies of the three new schools also agreed to include a public consultation element in the process, intending it to be open and transparent.
“This goes further than any previous council consultation for naming a new school, and is not a statutory requirement.
“It welcomes any other suggestions that residents want to put forward for consideration, beyond the pupil-suggested names. Once complete, the process will have allowed headteachers, staff, pupils and the community to have their say before a final decision is made by each Temporary Governing Body.”