Anglesey schools campaign receives backing

Feb 3 2010

A NATIONAL organisation devoted to helping small schools at risk of closure has offered assistance to teachers and parents on Anglesey.

Mervyn Benford, of the National Association for Small Schools, said the organisation had received calls from headteachers and parents on Anglesey regarding the situation facing some of the island’s schools.

"We want to make sure the facts on small schools are made known," said Mr Benford.

"Too often, what is presented to parents is the argument as seen by the local authority, who will only present the figures that suit them.

"When parents hear of possible closures, they tend to move their children somewhere else, which means the school is already done for before the local authority has to close it.

"We think parents should get the right information and fight on behalf of their schools, rather than panic and withdraw their children from schools under threat.

"Small schools are not nearly as expensive as people think," said Mr Benford.

"Children taught in small schools are less likely to have problems later in life, so money is saved in the long term on policing and social services.

"I understand how councils feel under pressure from education underfunding by the Assembly.

"I just think their response to that problem is misguided as it usually rests on a very narrow analysis of the facts and a historical tendency to view small schools negatively.

"Often, educational administrators just cannot believe a handful of teachers, mixed ages and abilities can possibly work.

"The facts speak otherwise."

The association has already had some success in North Wales, said Mr Benford.

It was involved in the campaign to save Gwynedd primary schools which saw a newly-formed political party, Llais Gwynedd, win seats on the council.