Major schools shake-up rejected in landmark legal ruling

SCHOOLS and sixth forms in Pontypridd have been saved from closure – for now at least – after a “landmark” legal judgment.

Local campaigners won a High Court challenge over proposed changes to schools in Pontypridd in what their legal team described as “a landmark ruling”.

Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s controversial plans to reorganise and shut schools, including Pontypridd and Hawthorn High schools, were quashed yesterday at the order of a High Court Judge following a judicial review by local campaigners.

Our Children First (Ein Plant Yn Gyntaf) – a group of local parents, young people, governors and councillor – supported the case against the council’s £37m plans.

The council will now have to go back to the drawing board.

Its plans would have seen the creation of two new 3-16 super-schools and a new Welsh medium school, but the closure of Pontypridd High, Hawthorn High, Hawthorn Primary, Cilfynydd Primary, Ysgol Pont Sion Norton and Heol y Celyn Primary and the closure of sixth forms at Pontypridd High, Hawthorn High and Cardinal Newman Catholic Comprehensive.

The council hoped the new “super schools” would be up and running by September 2022 with funding including a 65% contribution fromWelsh Government

But in yesterday’s High Court ruling, Mr Justice Fraser found that the council breached The School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 by failing to refer to the Welsh Government proposals to close a sixth form, whether the remainder of the school is to stay open or not.

The proposal to close the Cardinal Newman sixth form had already gone before the minister for approval, but the proposals for Pontypridd High School and Hawthorn High School had not.

Responding to the judgment, council leader Andrew Morgan, said: “The council will now need to consider the content of this judgment fully, before determining how to respond to this decision.

“Throughout this progress the overriding objective of the council has been to positively transform the delivery of education, through the mediums of both Welsh and English in the Greater Pontypridd area, by delivering significant investment, which would improve the opportunities available to young people.”

Michael Imperato, partner at Cardiff-based Watkins & Gunn, who brought the case to court, said the ruling had implications for any future plans to close sixth forms or close or reorganise Welsh medium schools. The hearing also highlighted the importance of the Welsh Language

as having equal standing in law in Wales, he said.

“The Welsh version of the legislation was found to be clearer in meaning than the English equivalent, with the English-speaking judge painstakingly being led through both versions at the hearing,” he said.

Cathy Lisles, chair of Our Children First (Ein Plant Yn Gyntaf ) said: “The Group is delighted.

“This is not just a victory for concerned parents and pupils in Pontypridd, but for all in Wales. We hope and trust that rather than continue the legal fight, the council will reach out to us and work constructively going forward to improve education for all in RCT.”