Rules aiming to protect schools in rural areas

NEW rules are being introduced to give rural schools greater protection from being closed. Wales’ education secretary Kirsty Williams, wants the closure of rural schools to be a last resort for local authorities.

She said that all options and suggestions that emerge from consultations should be considered before schools closed.

Ms Williams, the Brecon and Radnorshire AM and the only Liberal Democrat in the Welsh Government cabinet, said: “If there is a consultation to close a school, all options and suggestions that emerge form this must be considered before a decision is made.

“This might include federation with other schools or increasing the community use of school buildings to make the school more viable,” Ms Williams added.

“Rural schools are at the heart of community life. I therefore want to make sure these schools get a fair hearing when their future is being considered. These plans will play a key part in our national mission to raise standards and offer opportunities to all our young people.”

She has announced plans to draw up a list of rural schools to give them greater protection.

Authorities will have to assess the likely impact of a school’s closure on children’s education, the wider community, and travel arrangements, and explain why closure is the “most appropriate” course of action.

She said: “These proposals strengthen the School Organisation Code to make sure that councils and other proposers do everything they can to keep a rural school open before deciding to consult on closure.,” she added.

Anglesey, Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Powys, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire are classed as the more rural of the 22 local authority areas, according to statisticians.

Buddug Ellis, head teacher of Ysgol Bro Elwern in Denbighshire, welcomed the new rules but questioned the wording.

Her school was under threat of closure in the past and it is now a federated school.

She said: “Unfortunately, it doesn’t really say what the assembly means by a small school. One with 30, 40, 50 pupils or possibly a school of 100 to 150 pupils?

“That’s unclear. But obviously it gives schools some sort of security for the future.”

Plaid Cymru education spokesman Llyr Gruffydd welcomed the offer to give communities a “stronger voice” in the process.

But he added: “If the government wants to keep smaller schools open, they must also recognise the additional cost to councils at a time of austerity and cuts.”