Swansea parents' fury at timeframe to find school
PARENTS of pupils at doomed Swansea school Cwm primary have criticised the amount of time they have been given to find another school for their children.
Letters were sent home to families affected by the school closure on Friday, after Assembly minister Leighton Andrews approved Swansea Council's plan to shut Cwm for good.
However, while coping with the distress of seeing their beloved school close, parents say they have been given to time to decide where they want their children to go to school next year. Along with the letter outlining the closure plans, parents received a form, due back tomorrow, asking if they want to accept a place at Cwm Glas School.
Nicola Matthews has two children in Cwm school, aged three and six.
She said: "We haven't been given any time.
"If we don't want them to go to Cwm Glas we have to tell them by Tuesday.
"How can we decide in that time?"
The Assembly confirmed on Friday that the long fight to save Cwm had failed.
Under Swansea Council's plans, the school will close at the end of the current school year and the 100 pupils will transfer to Cwm Glas.
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However, changes needed to be made at Cwm Glas to accommodate the children, as there is only 87 surplus places.
All children at Cwm have been guaranteed a place at Cwm Glas, but parents say they have not been given enough time to look at other options.
Head teacher Amanda Taylor said she had complained about the short timeframe offered to parents.
She said: "I have said that the time scale is going to be difficult for parents."
Swansea Council's cabinet member for education, Mike Day, said he would look investigate the time frame. He said: "We understand parents concerns and I will look into it."
alex.brown@swwmedia.co.uk
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by Head Master, School for Scoundrels, Swansea
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 9:05PM
“Heather, Mumbles - When are your Parents going to begin your Education!?”
by Megan, Bonymaen
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 4:30PM
“Yes Heather, Mumbles. Not enough parents are aware that "EDUCATION IS COMPULSORY, SCHOOL IS NOT" For those parents who want to find out about this, just Google Home Schooling, and you'd be surprised at what you can find out. You don't have to be a teacher, stick to school term times etc. It makes fascinating reading. Good luck to all the children and parents of Cwm. Keep in touch with me, I'll be at Cwm to the very bitter end. Chins up, they'll hopefully all be together again at Cefn Hengoed.”
by Heather, Mumbles
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 2:48PM
“I would seriously consider home education if I was in their position.”
by Steve, swansea
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 1:52PM
“Jo, Winch Wen - you have to apply so that they know how many are going to be attending school next year. You can't expect to just turn up and hope they have enough facilities.”
by dai evans, swansea west
Tuesday, March 09 2010, 1:43PM
“I honestly feel, so sorry for both the parents and children of Bonymaen-- the parents uncertainty where their children will recieve the education and the disruption to the chidren who have become scape-goats, because the education funding finances have been cut -back, to prop up childrens care services, because this ruling council have turned one of the country leading service providers, into one of the worst in the U.K . Within the 6 years in power. Parents and children of Bonymaen, are only the first of many areas ,which are going to feel the effects of this lib/dem led politicans mismanagement & total incompetence.”