Hundreds sign petition to save Ysgol Clydau, Tegryn
Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn is one of the small schools under threat as part of proposals from Pembrokeshire County Council's School Modernisation Working Group.
This month's meeting of full council heard that there has been a 34 per cent decline in the school's pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next five-six years.
The school was praised in its last Estyn report with inspectors describing it as a 'happy, caring and welcoming community'.
'Teachers and assistants foster a very homely and supportive working relationship with pupils,' said the inspectors.
'Staff provide a curriculum that makes purposeful use of the local area and engages the interest and ignites the curiosity of nearly all pupils.'
However, the report from the council's working group recommended that the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue Ysgol Clydau.
A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clyddau was launched by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was 'the heart of our society not just a school, it's family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow'.
He added that closure was 'a disaster for the future of education locally' and was 'not fair and was not moral'.
Cllr Ward's sentiments have been echoed in a change.org petition set up by Sarah Farnden.
'We believe this closure will have a detrimental impact on our community and the well-being of our children and families,' she said.
'Ysgol Clydau is more than just a school; it's a hub for community life, offering a safe and welcoming space for children, families and residents of all ages.
'Its closure will isolate our community, leading to a decline in population and a weakening of our social fabric.
'We believe small schools to be a bedrock of rural communities, essential in the survival of the Welsh language, and most importantly, as loving, centres of academic excellence for our children.'
Ms Farnden said that closing the school would impact the community, the education of local children, the finances of local families, social and recreational opportunities and would have severe historical significance as there has been a school on the site of Ysgol Clydau since 1880.
Her petition asks the council to reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and prioritise the needs of the community by keeping the school open.
'We urge you [the council] to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families,' she said.
To sign the petition, go to change.org/p/petition-to-oppose-the-proposed-closure-of-ysgol-clydau, linked above.
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