Six major Welsh Organisations have this week united to campaign against the closure of small Welsh rural Schools. The Campaign for the Protection of Rural of Rural Wales, Wales YFC, Merched y Wawr, FUW, 'NFWI-Wales', and the Small Welsh School Fund which together represent more than 65,000 individuals throughout Wales.
The group agreed to create a new organisation called The Association of Small Schools in Wales with the aim of campaigning against the increasing threat of closure that faces small rural Schools. The group feels that closure of rural schools undermines the social fabric that exists within small communities, affect language, community spirit, and the social fabric of rural life.
Cris Tomos organiser of the Small Welsh School Fund who fought as Chairman of the Hermon School Campaign said today,’ there is a clear need for an organisation like this that would have helped the Hermon School battle through the High Court, I feel the experience that we have fighting against the closure of our school and the support of these diverse organisations that have got together because they feel rural schools are vital to rural communities. This is campaign that has to be won’.
More than 200 small schools face closure under the current local authority and national policy -any school with under 90 pupils could face closure. The group will seek to develop the organisation so that the Association of Small Schools in Wales can take on the issues on a level playing field, and make the general public aware of the important role of rural Welsh Schools and playgroups in the community.
The Association will be producing a national Petition will be circulated among the 65,000 members of the partner groups with a view of reaching a target of 500,000 signatories Autumn 2005. A separate fund has been established to raise money to give support and advice to parents and governing bodies of threatened schools
CPRW Director Peter Ogden said, ‘CPRW feels very strongly that the local school not only provides a high quality education but also encourages community vitality and involvement at a local level. Is some rural areas the local school is the only meeting place. Loss of this amenity will have a detrimental effect on the language, culture and environment and the way of life rural Wales’.
Notes for Editors
For more information contact Sioned Humphreys Deputy Director CPRW on 01938
552525 or 07855 370997 sioned@cprwmail.org.uk
Welsh/English interviews available
The Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales
(CPRW) is a charity which aims to secure the protection and improvement of
the rural landscape, environment and the amenities of towns and villages in
Wales, whilst recognising the importance of its indigenous cultures. Since
its formation in 1928 it has developed into an important voice, both at
national and local level.
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