Village schools face closure (From Western Telegraph)

Village schools face closure

TWO MORE village schools face closure in the continuing rationalisation of small rural schools in Pembrokeshire.

Closure of primary schools in Moylegrove and Dinas is recommended by education chief Gerson Davies in a report to be discussed by councillors tomorrow (Thursday).

Last year, Bwlch-y-Groes primary school near Crymych closed its doors after a bitterly-fought battle to keep it open.

Penffordd School near Maenclochog closed this summer and Manordeifi School has joined Barham School, Trecwn, as another casualty of the rationalisation programme.

Alarm bells have been sounded over the latest proposals by Tanya Havard, vice-chairman of governors at Dinas CP School.

She warned other small schools in Pembrokeshire to beware of the councils rationalisation plans and says: Its happened before and it will continue to happen throughout the county. What happens with us may well set the trend.

However, Gerson Davies says the status quo would not provide a strategy for the future, nor a basis for investment.

If his proposals are approved, Dinas pupils would be transferred to an area school at Ysgol Bro Ingli, Newport from September 2002. Pupils at Moylegrove would be moved to an area school at St Dogmaels in September 2003.

Parents and governors have furiously resisted the proposals. A petition signed by 1,290 people was presented by Dinas and Moylegrove Schools ten days ago to the council.

It opposed any rationalisation of small schools in Pembroke-shire and urged the council to defer any decision until a Rural School Policy is published by the National Assembly.

In Moylegrove, a group of eight education professionals has come forward to support the school. In a joint letter, they say: The small village school is being increasingly recognised as an institution of rare value, providing the intimacies of scale and relationship which can help young minds to flourish.

Since the closure of Moylegroves Post Office and only shop, the school plays an essential part in the life of the village.