FURIOUS parents have hit out over plans to close their village school.
The group of parents, from Ysgol Llandrillo, spoke to the Free Press about how the closure would have a serious detrimental effect on the whole community.
Denbighshire County Council’s controversial Modernising Education Agenda earmarked Ysgol Llandrillo for closure or merger 12 months ago, along with six other schools in the Edeyrnion area.
Now three schools look set to close, including Ysgol Cynwyd and Ysgol Glyndyfrdwy.
A Welsh medium area school will cover the communities of Cynwyd and Llandrillo at a single site in Cynwyd.
Pupils from Ysgol Glyndyfrdwy will transferred to Ysgol y Gwernant, Llangollen.
“When the community was asked for their opinion about closing the school, 97 per cent said they were against it,” said one mother from Ysgol Llandrillo.
“That is a large percentage to ignore and go ahead with plans regardless.
“We don’t mind losing a fair fight, but this is not a fair fight it never has been.”
Parents have a number of major concerns, including transport issues, nursery places and as well as the loss of a community site.
“Breakfast and after school club runs here three days a week, and its free,” said one mother.
“Its handy for parents who are working.
“We don’t know if that will be an option at the other school, because we will be governed by the transport pick up times.
“Its never been discussed, so we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Concern was also raised over the amount of money the council was spending to make these changes, including borrowing money and transportation costs.
The council will provide free transport for pupils, at an estimated cost to the council of £22,000 a year.
The travelling time for pupils has been estimated around 30 minutes per journey.
“We don’t know what will happen when the bad weather comes, as they won’t take the risk to take them in heavy snow,” said one mother.
The parents also spoke of their concern at how much the new school would cost the county council, with £1.2 million to be funded by prudential borrowing, over 30 years, at about £7,0000 a year.
“In these difficult financial times they (the council) shouldn’t be borrowing £1.2 million, it will cost them more money to pay it back,” said Mr Owen.
Another mother said: “Its quite obvious that the county councillors have been led by the officers throughout.
“They have been told this is what is happening, and they’ve just gone along with it.
“One councillor even admitted that they hadn’t read all the information, but yet still voted to close the school.
“The school is the vocal point of the village.
“The older people in the village really care about the young ones.
“They have a lot to do with the school, but they won’t be able to travel out to see their Christmas plays.
“Llandrillo will become a retirement village.
“As families won’t want to move here if there is no school.”
Caroline Green, who moved to the village over a year ago, said she and her family had been made very welcome by the community.
“My son is four and is almost fluent in Welsh,” she said.
“We have been told better education will be offered.
“But there is no proof of that, its all fairy tales.”
Objections can be made to the council until November 13.
If any objections are received then the matter must be decided by the Welsh Government.