Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council is currently consulting on proposals to close two schools in the County Borough, as outlined below.

• Closure of Aberllechau Primary School

• Closure of Penrhiwfer Infants School (and construction of the new Williamstown Primary School)

Councillor, Eudine Hanagan, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said:

“This is a very important time for schools as the Council looks at how we can ensure that we provide the highest quality education experience for our children, which raises standards of achievement across the County Borough.”

“The Council is committed to working with school governors and head teachers to deliver the best provision for children by building new and refurbishing existing buildings, and providing classroom teachers with the resources they need. To achieve this we sometimes have to close schools, which for a variety of reasons, are unlikely to offer the educational experience we expect. Any decision to close a school is not taken lightly and would be taken in the interests of improving education provisions across the county borough.”

“Delivering the best possible education of our children is crucial to a strong future for Rhondda Cynon Taf and we will continue to do all we can to improve and invest in our schools. Our commitment is evidenced by the major capital investment in many of our schools in recent years, including Maesgwyn Special School, Tonyrefail Primary, Dolau Primary, new schools for Ynyshir and Penderyn and, of course, the new school planned for Williamstown and Penrhiwfer.”

“We are always looking at ways of further improving the facilities in which pupils learn and are pressing for more capital support for our vital infrastructure such as school buildings.”

If you would like to take part in the consultation the Council would like to hear from you. Copies of the relevant documents, which fully outline the proposals, can be viewed online at www.rctcbc.gov.uk or by contacting the Council.

If you have any comments, or observations on the above proposals please contact the Council on 01443 744227 or e-mail schoolplanning@rctcbc.gov.uk alternatively you can post your written comments to School Organisation and Planning, Education Directorate, Ty Trevithick, Abercynon, Mountain Ash CF45 4UQ.

http://www.rctednet.net/penrhiwferinfants/