RESIDENTS in the picturesque village of Rhigos in the north of the Cynon Valley and southern boundary of Bannau Brechiniog National Park, have turned out in their droves to support its Primary school, the future of which is now in doubt after RCT council has earmarked it for closure.
A march was held on a beautiful autumnal day on Sunday 15th October through the village to show support for the school which saw hundreds of pupils, parents and former pupils turn out in their droves.
Rhigos Primary School, which the council claims is not viable, has been highly commended for its above average attainment levels, abundant extracurricular events for the community, and was awarded as the best school breakfast club in the Nation in 2022.
The County Borough Council is proposing that the school be closed and pupils moved to Hirwaun Primary, which until recently was in special measures, some miles away.
Spokesperson for the action group campaigning to save the school John Morris says the arguments put forward by the council for the proposed closure do not stack up.
“There have been several claims of ‘vital repairs needed’ which are not true, there are elements of school improvements recently installed which the council claims need to be replaced – when the council themselves installed them!
The entire community of Rhigos is devastated by the thought of losing Rhigos Primary, which is the very heart of our village.” said Sarah Oliver, Chair of the Action Committee, and parent of two pupils at the school. She, said the school provides a vital service to children in the village.
“The vast majority of parents and their children walk together to school, many of them taking full advantage of the school’s breakfast club. Parents aren’t comfortable with the idea of putting their 3 year olds on a bus on their own, that would also mean they miss out on breakfast club!” –
Rhigos resident, Julia Stone, said it was great to see the community come together to support the much loved school.
“Seeing the huge crowd march through the village was lovely to see. Pupils waved hand made signs, blew whistles, and banged drums. Passing traffic stopped and beeped their horns in support, and the community came together to sign a rendition of Yma o’hyd – it was fantastic! said Julia.
Former pupil of the school Elisha Jones says that it does not make sense to close the school when it provides exactly the kind of service that the Welsh Government attains to for all schools in Wales.
“Rhigos Primary, with a much smaller pupil to teacher ratio, provides a much higher level of education to children than other schools in the area, parents and pupils walk to school, the breakfast club is a huge success, and after school clubs bring the community together.
How is forcing pupils, some with learning difficulties, to travel for miles on their own to a school with lower educational standards even being considered by the council!?”said Libby Williams.
Following up, spokesperson for the action group, Sarah Oliver, said that the campaign to save the school has support from across the political spectrum.
“To date we have received messages of support from local MP Beth Winters, our two Plaid councillors Adam Rogers and Karen Morgan, Vikki Howells MS, Heledd Fychan MS, Joel James MS, and Andrew RT Davies MS. We have also received overwhelming support from local businesses such as Walters Group and Mytilineos, who are building the new gas power plant nearby.” said Sarah.
The action group for the school has started a petition, both online and in person, which you can sign by heading to: https://www.change.org/p/save-rhigos-primary-school?source_location=topic_page
Has a facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6583285635080903
and a go fund me which you can support here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-rhigos-primary-school
