31 January 2008

Gwynedd Primary Education Reorganisation – Working Group Report Published

The Gwynedd Primary Education Reorganisation Working Group will present its report, "Primary Education of the Best Quality for Gwynedd's Children" to Gwynedd Council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee on 5th February 2009.

The Group included six Gwynedd councillors, including representatives from all political groups on Gwynedd Council. The recommendations which will be presented to the Scrutiny Committee were unanimously endorsed by all Working Group members.

Working Group Chairman, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn (Dolgellau - North) said:

"We have gathered and discussed evidence from a wide-range of sources. We have listed the main educational and financial reasons why change is essential in Gwynedd and we have created a framework that will identify the areas where the need for change is most urgent.

"One of our long term aims is to make sure that no child is taught in a class of 25 or more pupils, and to do this we must use our resources and budget more effectively. Our vision is an education system that provides the highest possible quality of education for our children so that they can develop to be bilingual, successful and rounded citizens."

The Working Group recommends looking at the situation within secondary schools catchment areas. Local discussions on viable suggestions would then take place before local re-organisation plans would be presented to the Council.

The Working Group also recommends that seminars and conferences be arranged for councillors, headteachers and representatives of governing bodies to explain the reasoning behind the report before it is presented to a special Council meeting in the spring.

Councillor Simon Glyn (Tudweiliog) noted:

“The work of the working group has been both constructive and creative and I am confident that we are unanimous in our support of the recommendations which will be presented to the Council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee. I look forward to contributing to the debate.”

Councillor Sian Gwenllian (Y Felinheli) said:

“We are presenting these recommendations as a united working group, and I believe that they set a clear framework for creating a first class primary education system for Gwynedd.”

Councillor June Marshall (Bangor – Menai) added:

“The Working Group’s first priority was to ensure the best education for all the children of Gwynedd and we hope that the proposal we have put forward will be a starting point for this.”

Councillor Dewi Owen (Aberdyfi) noted:

“As a team, I feel that we have cooperated diligently to prepare this document. When we consider the severe financial difficulties which face the Council, I fervently hope that all Council members will share our view regarding the proposals put forward.”

The Gwynedd Primary Education Reorganisation Working Group Bydd report will be considered by Gwynedd Council's Children and Young People's Scrutiny Committee on 5 February 2009.