Pupils ‘will benefit from closures and mergers’

Feb 9 2008 by Abbie Wightwick, Western Mail

PUPILS will benefit and results improve under controversial closures and mergers of schools across Wales, a new report says.

But the programme to rebuild Wales’ many crumbling schools must be carried out in tandem with tackling the more than 72,000 empty pupil places, the Welsh Local Government Association report Planning Places says.

Ministers must now spell out exactly what they mean by making schools “fit for purpose,” and any changes must be properly consulted on, the 30-page report adds. Local authorities and the Welsh Assembly Government must also consult and get local politicians, parents and teachers on board to ensure the process runs as smoothly as possible.

Campaign groups fighting small school closures have mushroomed and parents in Cardiff campaigned so fiercely against proposed closures some have been dropped.

The WAG’s 2010 deadline for making all schools “fit for purpose” has already been ditched and WLGA policy officer Daisy Seabourne yesterday repeated warnings that lack of cash meant many local authorities would be unable to get buildings up to scratch until after 2015. The WLGA’s own estimates are that it will cost around £1.6bn to complete the work.

The report adds that new WAG policies such as the Foundation Phase for infants learning through play, 14 to 19 Pathways and the new skills-based curriculum, mean some empty school classroom space may now be needed for those.

“There needs to be a more joined up approach from the Assembly Government and greater co-ordination between policy areas and an understanding of their impact on planning places,” the report says.

Its nine recommendations include seeking more opportunities for running schools as clusters or federations – with one head – and closer planning and funding for rebuilding and forecasting places.

The NUT Cymru said changes must be motivated by improving education not cost cutting.

A WAG spokesman said “fit for purpose” meant schools which were in good condition and able to deliver the modern curriculum. Individual target dates were being agreed for each LEA. The Minister welcomes the recommendations in the WLGA report, which highlights the importance of strategic planning of school provision, with a close alignment between plans for school places and capital investment.”