Demand for Welsh education is expected to rise, say Swansea Council

Swansea council is considering closing Mayals Primary School to make way for a Welsh-medium school in 2006.

One parent, Huw Morgan, described the plan as a "bombshell" which was announced to a packed hall on Monday.

Parents will now be consulted over the plans which the authority say have been prompted by surplus places in schools.

It's not thinking of the local community and not thinking of the children and teachers - that's why we feel so aggrieved Huw Morgan, parent

Mr Morgan said Mayals primary, which opened 45 years ago, is "highly thought of" and is at the centre of its community.

"There were rumours at the school gate that something was happening.

"Everybody was very upset, especially the staff and the teachers were visibly upset."

Mr Morgan, who lives in Mayals with his family, described the plan as "evicting" the school.

He said his family had briefly moved away from the area - but had carried on ferrying his nine-year-old boy and girl, six, to the school.

"The children were told at the same time as us, the place was totally silenced," he said.

"We have nothing against Welsh speaking schools but not at the cost of others," he said.

"It's not thinking of the local community and not thinking of the children and teachers - that's why we feel so aggrieved."

Meeting called

Staff at the school teach 162 pupils with a further part-time nursery children also attending.

There are eight full-time teachers, two temporary teachers, one nursery nurse and nine support staff.

A parents' meeting will take place at 1900 BST on Tuesday at Holy Cross Church, Fairwood Road, Mayals.

Swansea Council say parents are to be consulted on plans to improve the quality of education.

Better use of existing resources and a review of pupil trends in Swansea West are the reasons behind the plan, they say.

The authority also says there are not sufficient numbers to support the existing seven primary schools.

The council also says there are likely to be 464 surplus places by 2010 and that one or more schools will not be required.

Surplus places means resources are spread more thinly across a wider area Mike Day, councillor

One plan is to see Mayals close and nearby Whitestone and Grange primaries upgraded to accomodate Mayals pupils from September 2006.

A need to find a larger school for Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Llwynderw pupils, which opened two years ago, is also being considered by Swansea Council.

Mike Day, Swansea council's cabinet member for education, said: "It is vital children are taught in the best and most appropriate surroundings.

"Surplus places means resources are spread more thinly across a wider area, rather than targeting resources towards pupils."

He said the council has to meet the changing trends in pupil numbers and in Swansea West the demand for English medium places is falling - while the demand for Welsh medium education is growing.