Parents in protest over plan to close half-empty school
PARENTS have vowed to stand united against plans to close a Cardiff primary school as protests continue.
As previously reported, Cardiff Council will launch a consultation on closing Glan-Yr-Afon Primary in Llanrumney as the school is halfempty and there is a 20% surplus of primary places in the area.
But parents have vowed to fight the plans and have launched a campaign to save Glan Yr Afon – and have now led a pupils’ protest outside the school.
Kelly Wall, a mum of four children at the school, said: “We’re not giving up. All the mothers are saying they will not be pushed into a faith school.
“There are a lot of people saying they would rather keep their kids there than send them to another school.
“They are not willing to apply for another school. “We are all going to stand united.” Llanrumney is served by other primary schools including Bryn Hafod, Pen-y-Bryn, St Cadoc’s Catholic and St Mellons CiW Englishmedium Primary Schools and Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Eirwg.
There are 1,342 English-medium primary school places in Llanrumney but in January 2017 the number of pupils enrolled was 1,073 – a surplus of 269 places.
Cardiff council’s cabinet agreed to launch the consultation last Thursday.
Meetings between parents and the council are understood to be taking place this week, following Monday’s protest.
Councillor Sarah Merry, deputy leader of Cardiff council and cabinet member for education, said the current level of surplus primary school places in Llanrumney was “unsustainable”.
She said: “It is important that we consult with a wide range of stakeholders to explore possible solutions as the current level of surplus is unsustainable, placing a huge strain on resources at a time when we are facing an unprecedented funding challenge for our schools.
“Surplus places have a significant impact on school budgets, as an element of the funding is determined by pupil numbers.
“Finding a way of reducing the surplus primary school places in Llanrumney is therefore a priority.”