Parents in bid to stop autism class moving schools
PARENTS and governors at a primary school are against plans to move an autism support class to a larger school.
Last month, the council’s cabinet agreed to consult on plans to change learning support provision across Rhondda Cynon Taff, which would include the communication disorder class (CDC) at Hafod Primary School in Trehafod being moved to Porth Community School.
Parents say they are happy with the provision currently provided by what is known as Dosbarth Coch and that they are worried about what impact moving it to a larger school will have.
A campaign, called Save Dosbarth Coch, has now been set up to save the class, which parents and governors insist has been extremely successful since it was set up in 1997 and provides integration with mainstream children which they say would not be possible at a larger school.
Claire Evans, whose son attends the class at Hafod, said she chose to place him at its CDU due to its reputation.
“My son is happy and thriving in a small nurturing learning environment, with excellent support and provision for his individual needs,” she said.
“Dosbarth Coch has been achieving for 21 years and already provides the proposed advantages for the CDU relocation to Porth Community School. A large new school is a concern, with no Key Stage 1 and 2 CDU provision as my son had to leave Porth to attend Hafod Primary for that reason. Modernisation and investment does not mean the ‘best’ duty of care for my son and ASD pupils. Dosbarth Coch pupils have full inclusion, wonderful opportunities in and outside school – supported by dedicated staff, voluntary PTA group and a strong community.”
Another parent at Hafod Primary School, Laura Harrison, said the council told her the relocation to a larger school may minimise disruption to students during what they consider to be unnecessary transition periods.
“As well as disputing these transitions are problematic, parents believe this would not be a sufficient enough reason to move our unit in any case,” said Ms Harrison.
“We feel that the benefits they receive at Hafod, in no small part due to the small size of the school and their complete integration within the full school population, completely outweigh one or two extra transition periods – which themselves offer benefits to our children, ensuring they learn a new life skill. Parents of children in Dosbarth Coch also hugely value the extracurricular events.”
But the council says there is no evidence that the size of the host school has a detrimental impact on learning support class pupils.
A spokesperson for RCT Council said: “The relocation of the Key Stage 2 Learning Support Class (LSC) to Porth Community School is being consulted upon as part of wider proposals to enhance provision across Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“Porth Community School hosts one LSC for pupils with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in the foundation phase, and three in Key Stages 3 and 4.
“The proposed relocation of the Key Stage 2 class would create a throughphase specialist provision, providing consistency from Foundation Phase right through to Key Stage 4. It would minimise transition for pupils, enabling them to stay in one school. Pupils would also benefit from the multimillion-pound learning environment at Porth.
“The council acknowledges parental concerns and these views will be presented as part of the consultation feedback to cabinet.
“However, the council would reassure parents that many of its LSC have historically been hosted by schools much larger than Hafod Primary, and there is no evidence that the size of a host school has a detrimental impact upon LSC pupils.
“The relocation of the Foundation Phase LSC to Porth Community School in September has been a success, which the council is confident of replicating with the Key Stage 2 class if the proposal is agreed following consultation.”