A PUBLIC meeting has prompted fears Llandudno primary schools will be thrown into turmoil.
Job losses, closures and the loss of small classes have caused worry amongst parents, teachers and members of the community.
This week the minutes of a meeting held during last year’s review of primary schools have been published by Conwy County Borough Council. The meeting was held after education officers selected Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn and Ysgol Tudno for initial review. A public consultation was held to gauge community concern.
During the meeting, held in November 2009, parents, teachers, community councillors, groups and school governors met with education representatives. The public feared the two schools would be amalgamated into one new school, leaving limited parental choice in Llandudno.
Cllr Alun Barrett, a school governor, who observed during the meeting said: “The main feeling was that these schools don't need fixing. They are already achieving. People do not want to see any changes. If the reaction of these people is taken into consideration I would hope there will not be any changes.”
In response to fears jobs could be lost if a new school is created, officers said natural wastage would be looked at such as retirement.
The public were advised three schools have merged in Conwy to create Ysgol Porth y Felin, which the council said has been a success.
At the consultation a concerned member of the community said: “If you ask us today what we want for the future, the majority of us would say leave us as we are.”
But education officers including Conwy’s statutory head, argued changes may not occur for the next five to 15 years.
Conwy council has been working with the community development team to decide what will happen to the current school buildings if a new venue is created. As part of a feasibility study the council has said building a new school on an existing site or extending a school could be considered.
Anxious parents said other schools had not been looked at including Ysgol San Sior or Ysgol Bodafon. They claimed fears Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn and Ysgol Tudno will close has led to ‘bad blood’ between two schools which usually cooperate well together.
Other members of the public felt faith schools have been protected, but should be considered for review.
Cllr Barrett said: “I know both heads of the two schools believe that although they are working separately they will come together and cooperate well if decisions have to be made.”
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