Castle flies the flag for school once earmarked for closure

A CENTURY-OLD village school which defeated a council closure plan has unveiled an unusual new feature.

Tynyrheol Primary School in Llangeinor, near Bridgend, now has its very own castle, thanks to a partnership with a scheme that helps young people to develop their skills.

The school flag was raised above the Class 1 castle, a wooden play structure, as it was officially unveiled by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Reg Jenkins.

Chair of the school governors Deborah Davies said: “The school has worked closely with Tyrone Hughes from the Western Bay Youth Justice and Early Intervention Service Building Skills Programme. The castle was designed and built by Ty- rone and the young people accessing this programme.

“After facing a proposed closure in 2014, the staff and governors of Tynyrheol saw this event as a way to show parents, pupils and community members that the school continues to be committed to the pupils and their families within Llangeinor.”

Bridgend council had planned to close Tynyrheol, which has about 90 pupils, and amalgamate it with Betws Primary in a new school on the Betws site.

But, with the help of Legal Aid and the backing of Tynyrheol Action Group, parent Ceri McCann won a judicial review of the plan, arguing that the authority had not properly followed consultation rules.

With a renewed sense of purpose, parents and teachers are continuing to enhance the school and before the summer holidays last year, the school held a volunteer week where parents helped to transform the playground.

Mayor of Bridgend County Borough Reg Jenkins raises the flag at Tynyrheol Primary School’s castle

From left, Rhodri Allcock, Western Bay Youth Justice Building Skills Programme, Mayor Reg Jenkins, Mayoress Teresa Jenkins, Deborah Davies, chairman of governors, Tyrone Hughes and acting head teacher Jo Blackman-Hunt at Tynyrheol Primary School,...