Teaching school to cut 8 jobs

AUNIVERSITY has confirmed plans to reduce the number of jobs at its teaching school.

Bangor University says it will cut eight roles from its Education and Human Development department over the next three years.

The university, one of the oldest in Wales, has blamed competition, financial pressure and a “significant” drop in student numbers for the decision.

In a statement, it said the move will make the School of Education and Human Development which is responsible for teacher training - more financially stable.

But our sister paper the Daily Post understands that staff are concerned about their jobs as well as the future of the education courses offered at the department.

A spokesperson for Bangor University said: “Recent years have been especially difficult in terms of recruiting trainee teachers in Wales, and this comes at a time when there is a radical reform at

a national level that requires much greater integration of schools and university delivery. At least 20% of teacher education will now take place in the placement schools.”

Last year, the university said it was bringing in new measures to help save £5million. That included closing its chemistry department, announced earlier this year in the face of protests from staff and students.

Siân Gwenllian AM has been in touch with constituents concerned about the “destructive” impact of School of Education cuts. She said: “There are specific concerns about the implications of losing experienced Welshspeaking staff and replacing them with an ad-hoc strategy that intends to bring in teachers from other schools to train and mentor students.

“It is difficult to understand how cutting Welsh medium posts in education will help the university in the long term. If cuts are needed, they have to be strategic and that does not include cutting Welsh medium provision, which is a nationally recognised strength and needs developing, not cutting.

“I would like to know what the Government’s view is on disinvesting in training for teachers and Welsh-medium education, the impact on the sustainability, the success of their education and Welsh language strategy.”

Despite the planned cuts, Bangor University is hoping to see an increase in the number training to be teachers over the coming years and are still welcoming applications for the next academic year.

The spokesperson for the university added: “The University emphasizes that these proposed changes will not have an impact on the number of teachers trained, or on Welsh medium provision across the School. No decision has been made yet.” POLICE are appealing for information after a white Land Rover Discovery was stolen and then later found burnt out on the outskirts of Bangor.

The white Land Rover Discovery, registration number CX68YTE, was taken from outside an address near Engedi, Anglesey, on the afternoon of Monday, June 3. The car, worth around £35,000, was later found burnt near a quarry at Llanllechid in Bangor (pictured).

Detective Sergeant Trystan Davies from Llangefni CID said: “I am appealing to anyone who saw this vehicle anytime between 8am and 2.03pm on Monday June 3, to get in touch with us quoting incident number X076773.

“We are keen to establish the movements of vehicle on that day and I would appeal to any member of the public who has information regarding this reported theft and subsequent arson of the vehicle.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Llangefni CID on 101 quoting reference X076773.

Alternatively use the live webchat https://www.northwales.police.uk/contact/ live-chat-support or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.