PARENTS campaign groups have hailed Flintshire councillors’ call for a rethink on plans for a new catholic super-school as a ‘battle won’.
Councillors convened a special meeting of Flintshire County Council’s Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee this week to review the results of a public consultation into the proposals.
The plans to close St David’s Catholic Primary School in Mold, St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint plus St Richard Gwyn High School and replace them with a catholic super-school in Flint for pupils aged 3-18 was rejected by 95% of respondents to the consultation.
The weight of opposition led councillors to support a recommendation by Cllr Caroyln Preece to ask Cabinet to reconsider the plans and seek an alternative solution to the problem of falling pupil numbers the the affected schools.
Parents have long opposed the plans, praising their schools for the standard of both education and care they offer students – something they fear will be lost at a larger school.
They have also raised concerns about safeguarding and safe school travel.
Following the meeting Sarah Cunningham, spokesperson for the St David’s Action Group, said the recommendation of councillors had given them hope.
“We would like to sincerely thank the councillors who took part in the committee meeting,” she said. “Your support has given pupils, staff and our community renewed hope that our voices are being heard.
“This is one battle won, but there is still work to do.”
The group said it had a number of concerns it wanted Cabinet to consider next week when it decides whether to revisit the plans or to progress to the next statutory phase – a 28 day objection period for more detailed responses from the public.
“We urge Cabinet members to address the following before any final decision is made,” said Sarah.
“Firstly the mmassive public opposition. Only three percent of the 2,046 respondents to the consultation supported the closures, yet the recommendation by officers is to proceed regardless.
“There is still no detail around child safeguarding and transport. We have seen no risk assessments, safeguarding plans, or data on the impact of long-distance travel for young children. This was underlined in the committee meeting this week, where Claire Homard was unable to provide that evidence.
“The consultation report fails to account for future housing demand and population growth due to new housing developments. It was stated that new houses do noe equal new children and families but we would dispute that.
“Crucially there have been no details on how support for pupils with additional learning needs (ALN) will be maintained or improved. Mrs Homard said that there would be a larger stafff and this would enhance the service but this goes against previous discussions by the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee where it has stated that a smaller environment is better for children that have additional learning needs. At a meeting in June Jeanette Rock, Flintshire’s own senior manager for inclusion and progression, said that a number of children with ALN are ‘struggling to engage with larger school buildings’.
“In addition there have not been any proper impact assessments carried out in relation to the impact on community and Welsh language and over 300 letters and signed petitions have been treated as a footnote.
“During the consultation 50% of respondents were in favour of keeping St Davids open. We call on the Cabinet to halt these plans and properly consider the evidence. Our children, communities, and future deserve better.”
That view was supported by Clare Smith, speaking on behalf of the parents of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School pupils.
“We are all so grateful for all the support that we have had from residents, councillors, Sam Rowlands MS and the media on our campaign to save St Anthony’s,” she said.
“It was good to hear that our children’s mental health was being considered as this whole thing has definitely impacted my two girls. We really hope and urge the Cabinet members to support the recommendations made yesterday and to listen to the people of Saltney.
“A super school is not what anyone wants and the people of Saltney will not benefit from this.
“Our children deserve better than the original proposal. We also truly believe under the new leadership without the pressures of this proposal that St Anthony’s can increase their numbers again.”
North Wales Conservative Senedd member Sam Rowlands has long supported parents opposed to the plans.
“I am absolutely delighted that councillors have listened to parents and realised that to go ahead with his controversial plan is not the right way forward,” he said.
“I was extremely disappointed that this controversial proposal actually went as far as a consultation given the huge tide of concern from parents, governors, teachers and local councillors.
“I am a firm believer in keeping schools local and I do not think merging four local schools into one ‘super-school’ is the right way forward. St Anthony’s, for example, has been part of the Saltney community for over 150 years and provides education grounded in Christian values.
“I hope that Flintshire Council’s Cabinet Committee will take this on board and that these proposals will be thrown out.”
Flintshire’s Cabinet will meet to discuss the next steps on Tuesday, October 14.
