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Responses to the Consultation on the proposal to close Trefilan Voluntary Controlled (V C) Primary School

1. Introduction

1.1. Ceredigion County Council has completed a period of formal consultation regarding the proposal to close Trefilan V C Primary School at the end of the summer term 2014, with pupils transferring to Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Cilcennin, Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Ciliau Parc or Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Felinfach; or Myfennydd V C School or Llanwenog V A School (should parents wish to send their children to a school offering the same Church in Wales character as being provided at Trefilan) in September 2014.

1.2. The formal consultation ran between the 6th January and 28th February 2014.

1.3. This formal document sets out the findings obtained during the Formal Consultation period. It has been produced after taking into consideration the requirement set out in the new Welsh Government “School Organisation Code”, a document produced by virtue on of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013.

2. Formal Consultation

2.1. In line with the Welsh Government School Organisation Code, the consultation documents were published on the Authority’s website on the first day of the consultation on the 6th of January 2014, and available in both English and Welsh.

2.2. Electronic versions of the formal consultation documents were sent to 49 recipients including Estyn, Welsh Government, MP’s, Community Councillors and neighbouring Authorities and schools. Letters highlighting the start of the publication were posted to all Governors of affected schools and Town Councils. The affected schools received hard copies of the consultation reports to distribute to pupils and parents.

2.3. A standard response form was included within the hardcopy versions of the formal consultation document. The standard response form was also available online.

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2.4 Parents did not consent for their children to be consulted with and therefore no consultation with pupils was held.

2.5 A summary of the key themes and issues that have been raised by respondents can be found in this document.

3 Consultation Responses

3.1 In total, the following responses were received during the consultation stage: 121 letters/ response forms (including a letter from the Action Group) Action Group response to the Consultation Document Action Group response to the Impact Assessment Petition consisting of 530 signatories 108 comments as parts of the online petition (change.org)

4 Estyn Response

4.1 In accordance with the Code, a copy of the Consultation Document was sent to Estyn for its observations. In its response, Estyn considered a range of key questions with regard to the current proposal.

4.2 Estyn’s summary and conclusions were:

o Are the proposals likely to maintain or improve the standard of education provision in the area?Estyn is unable to come to a view as to whether the proposal is likely to maintain or improve the standard of education provision inthe area due to the reasons outlined in their report.

o What effect do the proposals have on other schools and educational institutions in the area?There will potentially be an impact on up to five other schools in the vicinity, depending on which schools lie closest to the pupils’homes and on parental choice.

4.3 The full report can be found in this document in Annex F.

The purpose of this document is to set out the comments raised by interested stakeholders regarding the proposal to close Trefilan V.C. Primary School. The document also seeks to provide explanations and further information to alleviate these concerns.

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5 List of Annexes contained in the Report

A – Consultation Report on the Action Group’s Response B – Consultation Report on the other 120 letters/response forms received during the consultation period C – Consultation Report on the Action Group response to the Consultation Document D – Consultation Report on the Action Group response to the Impact Assessment E – Comments received as part of online petition (Change.org) F – Estyn Response to the Consultation Document

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Annex A

Action Group “Trefilan V.C. Primary School” response to the consultation

1. Educational Provisions CCC Response/ Counter Argument 1a. Please show how this proposal is going to maintain or improve educational standards and outcomes for all pupils from Trefilan VC Primary School and the pupils at the accommodating schools? By all pupils, we are referring to maintained or improved educational standards and facilities for each and every one of the pupils currently at Trefilan V.C. Primary School

The WG School Organisation Code (2013) states that: “In all cases, existing pupils at a school where provision is being reduced or removed must be able to continue receiving an education that provides at least equivalent standards and opportunities for progression in their current language medium…”

Of the 5 schools offered as alternative schools (3 within the Aeron Valley and 2 church schools), the standards of education in 4 of these schools are equivalent to that at Trefilan VC Primary. This information is based on the most recent Estyn Inspection and levels of attainment at the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2.

We would expect the educational standards and outcomes of the pupils at the accommodating schools to maintain or improve as the same standards of teaching/learning will remain but at alternative schools.

1b. how is the LEA going to ensure that pupils from Trefilan V.C. Primary School will have the same opportunities with regards to extracurricular activities and facilities? Please show how the LEA is going to help establish and maintain the full range of clubs, facilities and activities currently available at Trefilan V.C Primary School at each and every one of the schools that might be attended by Trefilan children? Further to that, will these activities be free and available to all children as they currently are at Trefilan V.C. Primary school?

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as are currently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at the alternative schools or whether these will be free of charge.

Pupils from Trefilan VC Primary could attend up to 5 different schools.

It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities.

1c. What is the LEA going to do to promote integration in the accommodating schools both for the children and parents to establish good working relationships between parents and the

We are aware of the need to ensure integration of both pupils and parents into the alternative schools, as outlined in the WG School Organisation Code (2013).

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schools to allow for continuity between the learning in school and at home, in particular in cases where children use school transport and parents have no day to day contact with the school?

Pupils Pupils affected by the proposed closure will be provided with the following:

Transition opportunities with their new school, meeting with teachersetc.

Provide a ‘Group time’ session for the pupils in order that they are ableto share feelings etc. – we used Theatre in Education (Arad Goch) todo this when the 4 schools came together to form Ysgol T. Llew Jones,Brynhoffnant and when Ysgol Cribyn closed

Ensure that comprehensive information about each child’s personality,background and educational attainment is transferred effectively, andthat teachers within Trefilan and the ‘alternative’ school meet in orderto discuss pupils and their needs.

It follows that pupils currently attending Trefilan school and the pupils within the alternative schools will be fully supported in order to allow for a smooth integration.

Disruption for all pupils will be kept to a minimum through integration work. Children are generally able to adapt very quickly to change.

Parents It is up to individual school to arrange for parents to be integrated into the school. From past experience of school closures, the alternative schools have provided opportunities for parents to visit the school and to become fully integrated.

1d. Please can the LEA show how they intend to minimize disruption both for the incoming pupils and also the ones already in the accommodating schools, especially considering that the final decision might not be made until the Summer holidays and there would be no opportunity for settling in sessions or similar?

The final decision will be made by Council in July, It is hoped that this will allow time for some integration to occur. It is acknowledged that time will be limited but every effort will be made to ensure integration (as noted in 1c above).

2. Implications due to Church position

2a. If these proposals were to go ahead, would the LEA continue to work with the diocesan and discuss any church influence that

Two of the five schools offered as alternative schools are denominational schools. The Council will not therefore work with the diocesan to discuss any

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could be established in any of the accommodating schools that Trefilan V.C. Primary School children might attend and further to that would the church be involved in any future area school in the Aeron Valley?

church influence that could be established in any of the 3 accommodating schools within the Aeron Valley.

The new Area School in Drefach will be a Voluntary Controlled school, which is a continuation of the denomination of Llanwenog VA Primary, despite Cwrtnewydd and Llanwnnen Schools being non-denominational. When and if discussions take place on a new Area School in the Aeron Valley, consideration could possibly be given to the area school being a church school. This would be dependent upon the strength of feeling between all the schools that will be involved in the area school.

2b. Having sought legal advice from a barrister, please can the LEA show how the current proposals are not in breach of the Human Rights Act 1998, Part 2, First Protocol, Article 2: “No person shall be denied the right to education. In the exercise of any functions which it assumes in relation to education and teaching, the state shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching, and teaching in conformity with their own religious and philosophical conviction.” It is understood that this article does not require the government or local authority to establish and fund a particular type of education, however it does not guarantee people the right of access to existing educational institutions and the current proposal seems to be a withdrawal of a particular type of education within the area and therefore a withdrawal of choice.

In order for the proposal to be in breach of Article 2 of the convention in closing schools of the Human Rights Act, there would need to be some denial of education or some denial of education in conformity with parents’ philosophical or religious convictions.

There is no prospect of any successful challenge based on a denial of education given that there are other schools nearby and transport provided in line with well-established principles.

3. Language and Diversity

Trefilan V.C. Primary School (September 2014)

Pupils Language Nationality

20% From Welsh speaking households

Welsh

35% From bilingual households Welsh, English, Scottish

30% From trilingual households Welsh, English, Thai, German, Filipino

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15% From non Welsh speaking households

English

3a. Given the above figures, please can the LEA explain how moving pupils from Trefilan V.C. Primary School to any of the accommodating schools will increase Trefilan children’s awareness of equality and diversity issues and expose them to more diverse peer groups?

Diversity can be defined as the encompassing of acceptance and respect. It does not include nationality alone. Race, gender, socio-economic status, age, culture, physical disabilities, religious beliefs and other ideologies are aspects of diversity.

The alternative schools offered have more pupil numbers and are likely to include a more diverse range of peer groups (‘diverse’ meaning the aspects noted above as opposed to ‘nationality’ alone).

Diversity and equality are important aspects of the school curriculum and are taught regardless of the diversity of the pupils that attend the individual school, which vary greatly from school to school.

3b. What will the LEA do to ensure that the current language outcomes will be sustained, considering that despite the diverse home languages and starting points with regards to the Welsh language, all the children at Trefilan V.C. Primary achieve excellent Welsh language outcomes and use Welsh at all times both inside the class room as well as during play time?

All 5 of the alternative schools offered are defined as Welsh medium Primary Schools and offer foundation phase provision predominantly through the medium of Welsh and 70% in Key Stage 2 in accordance with the County’s School Language Policy.

Provision for Welsh in all schools is good. However, individual pupils who are latecomers to the Welsh language have impacted on some schools’ data. The variable sizes of cohorts again impacts on data.

The 2 year average data for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Trefilan, Llanwenog and Myfenydd at Foundation Phase Welsh is as follows (only 2 years of Foundation Phase data available):

School Foundation Phase LCW (Welsh) (%) Trefilan 100 Ciliau Parc 100 Cilcennin 100 Felinfach 100

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Myfenydd 77.3 Llanwenog 100

The 3 year average data for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Trefilan, Llanwenog and Myfenydd in Welsh at Key Stage 2 is as follows: School Key Stage 2 Welsh (%) Trefilan 75 Ciliau Parc 84 Cilcennin 60 Felinfach 100 Myfenydd 78.3 Llanwenog 88.2

Trefilan VC is therefore ranked equal 1st at Foundation Phase Welsh (along with 4 other schools) and 5th at Key Stage 2 Welsh.

The Estyn Report “School Size and educational effectiveness – December 2013” states that “At key stage 2, the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in Welsh is higher in larger schools.”

It follows that current language provision will be sustained. 4. Transport

4a. At least 1/3 of pupils at Trefilan V.C. Primary School will be under 5 years old in September 2014 and therefore not entitled to transport. Considering that a number of the proposed accommodating schools are long distances away, how will the LEA ensure that pupils from Trefilan V.C. Primary School will not be limited in their choice of schools due to their age and/or their parent’s time of financial means?

The School Transport Policy states that free transport is provided for pupils of the minimum compulsory school age (i.e. 5) to the nearest suitable school. Children under 5 will be provided with free transport provided that there is a spare seat and subject to parental consent i.e. signing a form. It is therefore likely that there will be transport available for pupils under 5.

5 Schools have been offered as alternative schools for the pupils of Trefilan VC Primary in comparison to 2 and 3 schools respectively in the proposal to close Llanafan Primary and Dihewyd Primary.

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It follows that pupils from Trefilan VC Primary School will not be limited in their choice of school due to their age/ parent’s time and financial means.

4b. We understand from our meeting with the LEA on Monday, 17/02/14 5.30pm at Trefilan V.C. Primary School, that the transport policy would be altered if these proposals were to go ahead to allow future pupils from the area to still receive free transport to a church school. Please can you clarify when and how this would be implemented and if this new transport policy would come into action prior to or at least at the same time as the decision is being made?

There is a caveat within the policy that allows discretion prior to any change being made to the policy. This could be used to authorise any deviation i.e. the discretion to allow pupils from Trefilan VC Primary to receive free transport to a church school could be implemented before the policy is actually formally updated.

The Policy will then need to be approved by Cabinet/ Council.

4c. If these proposal were to go ahead and parents took their child(ren) to a church school outside their secondary school catchment area e.g. Llanwenog, what would be the arrangement with regards to secondary school transport once children leave primary school? Would free transport be offered to any of possible secondary schools (e.g. Bro Pedr, Newcastle Emlyn, Llandysul) to avoid further disruption to those pupils or will they be expected to leave their peers and go to their nearest secondary school (e.g. Aberaeron)?

The “School Transport Policy” would apply which would mean that transport would be provided for pupils living 3 miles or more from their nearest suitable secondary school. The Policy currently does not accommodate free transport to any other secondary school and any change would have to be subject to a review of the policy.

5. Finance

5a. Please can the LEA give a full list of potential costs and saving predicted for the proposed closure date, whether or not they will actually occur?

The estimated potential savings have been outlined in the Consultation document as follows:

Detail Potential Savings/ (Costs)

Savings based on 2012-13 formula

£89,096

Less:- Estimated transport costs -£29,250 Net Savings £59,846

The estimated saving is based on past experience and cannot be quantified precisely until the pupils’ destination has been ascertained, which in turn cannot be done until the parents make a formal application to send their children to another school.

5b. Please can the LEA show in a 5 year forecast the actual There are too many variable factors to provide an accurate forecast for 5

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financial long term implications of the current proposals in particular taking into consideration the increasing pupil numbers and the increased transport costs?

years. Transport costs have been based on £150 a day for 195 days. Costs are based on routes rather than on price per individual pupil.

6. Pupils on Roll & Capacity in the Aeron Valley

6a. Please find below a chart showing all children that currently attend schools in the Aeron Valley. Considering this chart only shows the children currently attending local schools and not all primary age children within the Aeron Valley, what will be the solution for accommodating all those children in the local schools now and in the future?

Current – PLASC It is acknowledged that if all children from Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School were to attend the 3 schools in the Aeron Valley that there would be strain on the capacity within these schools. However, 2 other schools have been included as alternatives for pupils from Trefilan VC Primary.

According to PLASC January 2014 figures, there are 185 pupils in Dihewyd, Trefilan, Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools and there is capacity for 180 pupils within Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools.

School PLASC 2014 Capacity Spare places

Cilcennin 36 52 16 Ciliau Parc 55 68 13 Dihewyd 19 N/A N/A Felinfach 56 60 4 Trefilan 19 N/A N/A TOTAL 185 180 -5

Myfenydd 82 91 9 Llanwenog 34 51 17

Should the decision be made to close both Dihewyd and Trefilan Schools, we do not know which schools would be the preference of parents i.e. parents wishing to continue sending their children to a faith school would send their children to Myfenydd VC or Llanwenog VA and therefore there may be sufficient capacity available within Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools.

16% (3/19) of pupils who currently attend Trefilan VC Primary School live closer to other schools within the county than to Ciliau Parc, Cilcennin, Felinfach, Myfenydd, Llanwenog or Trefilan. These pupils are currently

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travelling over 5 miles to attend Trefilan V C School. However, it must be noted that parents have the choice of which schools they wish to send their children.

September 2014

Based on the actual figures held, the following table confirms that in September 2014, there would be a total capacity of 47 between Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach, and 40 pupils in Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School.

School (Capacity)

Number on register

Number of applications April 2014

Number of applications September 2014

Year 6 Expected pupil numbers September 2014

Cilcennin (52)

35 1 0 7 29

Ciliau Parc (68)

54 2 1 8 49

Dihewyd (35)

20 1 2 3 20

Felinfach (60)

56 2 4 7 55

Trefilan (40)

19 2 1 2 20

Myfenydd (91)

83 5 3 7 84

Llanwenog (51)

34 0 4 6 32

Future Pupil Numbers

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The pupil projections for all schools are based on the average three year trend in pupil numbers and the average birth rate, which is estimated for the next 5 years. A steep increase/decrease in pupil numbers within this 3 year period can have a significant effect on the accuracy of the projections for the next 5 years, in particular in schools with relatively low numbers. Parents also have the choice of which schools to send their children and are not required to send their children to the nearest school. It must therefore be noted that there are inaccuracies in the projections of individual schools. However, primary age projections for Ceredigion are generally accurate (-1.4% variance in 2012 and -0.5% in 2013).

The table below shows the projected pupil numbers for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd, Felinfach,Trefilan, Myfenydd and Llanwenog schools compared to the actual pupils numbers according to PLASC 2014:

Projected for 2014 Actual PLASC 2014

% Variance

Cilcennin 40 36 -10% Ciliau Parc 67 55 -18% Dihewyd 18 19 6% Felinfach 57 56 -2% Trefilan 19 19 0% Myfenydd 100 82 -18% Llanwenog 31 34 10%

Applying the percentage variance to the future projections (which were originally made based on PLASC 2013 figures) for 2015 onwards provides a more accurate figure of projections:

2015 2016 2017 2018

Cilcennin Projected 41 43 47 45 Amended 37 39 42 41

Ciliau Parc Projected 71 71 65 72 Amended 58 58 53 59

Dihewyd Projected 19 19 22 21

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Amended 20 20 23 22

Felinfach Projected 58 59 61 62 Amended 57 58 60 61

Trefilan Projected 20 20 21 23 Amended 20 20 21 23

Myfenydd Projected 111 116 127 131 Amended 91 95 104 107

Llanwenog Projected 29 29 27 29 Amended 32 32 30 32

Based on the amended projections there will be the following spare capacity in Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Llanwenog and Myfenydd schools from 2014 to 2018:

Capacity Spare Capacity 2014

Spare Capacity 2015

Spare Capacity 2016

Spare Capacity 2017

Spare Capacity 2018

Cilcennin 52 16 15 13 10 12 Ciliau Parc 68 13 10 10 15 9 Felinfach 60 4 3 2 0 -1 TOTAL 180 33 28 25 25 20

Myfenydd 91 9 0 -4 -13 -16 Llanwenog 51 17 19 19 21 19

It is acknowledged that if all children from Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School were to attend the 3 schools in the Aeron Valley that there would be strain on the capacity for future years. However, 2 alternative schools have been offered to pupils in Trefilan VC Primary.

6b. If the current proposals were to go ahead, would children already in a school in Dyffryn Aeron take priority over children that have already applied and been accepted, but have not yet started?

Once an application has been submitted and processed, and a place allocated to that child, it cannot be revoked unless it is a fraudulent application or the application withdrawn by the parent/ legal guardian. Places are allocated according to the admission timeline. However, should the number of applications exceed the admission number, the following criteria listed in order of priority will be used to allocate places as defined in the ‘Ceredigion County Council School Admission Policy 2014/15’:

“looked after pupil;

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the school for which a preference has been expressed is the nearestsuitable school;

Exceptional cases referred to the Authority by Social Services or therelevant Medical Officer where the admission to a particular school isnecessary for the medical or social well-being of the child. In suchcases a letter from a registered health professional such as a doctor orsocial worker will be required, which provides supporting evidence inorder that full consideration can be given to the case;

pupils with a brother or sister in the school at the time of admission.Brother or sister includes half-siblings, step siblings adoptive and fosterchildren living in the same house.

In the event of a tie, a place will be offered to the pupil who lives nearest to the school.

All distances will be measured by the shortest walking distance between the nearest school gate and the point where the pupil’s dwelling meets the public highway.

Should the Authority not be able to offer a place to a child at their first choice of school during the normal admission round their name will be kept on a waiting list until the 31st of August prior to the start of the relevant academic year. Priority for places will be given according to the above criteria and not according to the date on which application for a place was originally submitted.”

6c. Also would the LEA be able to provide a list of priorities with regards to school admissions in the future? Which precautions would be taken by the LEA to avoid a situation where children can no longer attend their nearest school or children are unable to join their siblings due to a shortage of spaces?

School places will be allocated in order of priority as outlined in the School Admissions Policy (see 6b above), which includes pupils with siblings in the school and pupils attending the nearest suitable school.

Applying the policy should avoid such situations occurring. 7. Other

7…we as the Action Group believe that status quo should be maintained for Trefilan V.C. Primary School for at least one year at which stage educational outcomes and actual pupil numbers in the Aeron Valley could be reassessed. This would also

The final decision on the closure of the school will be made by Council. All Councillors will be provided with a copy of all letters/responses received during the consultation period in addition to the Consultation Report. It will be up to the Councillors to decide the future of the school based on all the

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ensure that Trefilan V.C. Primary School pupils stay together as one group, something that is essential for their emotional wellbeing and continuously high standards of educational outcomes. The actual costs for this would be insignificant compared to the potential long and short term transport costs and other financial implications of creating a shortage of spaces locally and affecting learning outcomes and current excellent educational provisions. Further to that it will give the opportunity to work on a viable long term solution for all the children of the Aeron Valley without infringing parents’ rights of choice.

information provided to them.

8. Federation between all schools in the Aeron Valley under onestrong governing body should be seriously considered as this would give immediate and sustainable savings through sharing of resources and expertise and would provide the necessary peer support to improve and deliver high standards of education across all schools of the federation. This would create a collaboration that would benefit all children of the Aeron Valley equally and would pave the way to a Dyffryn Aeron Area School in the future.

The advantages and disadvantages of federation have been outlined in the Consultation Document.

Under the existing structure there are headteachers in Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Cilcennin Schools (with Dihewyd in an informal federation with Cilcennin i.e. shared head teacher). Creating a federation between the schools within Aeron Valley at this point would have HR implications and significant redundancy costs.

It would not be feasible to have one Governing Body and 4 head teachers within the Aeron Valley, and it would be difficult to sustain. It would not result in any net financial savings.

Federation does not provide schools with exemption from the Council’s School Review Policy i.e. if the school meets the criteria for review, it would be in the same situation as Trefilan VC and Dihewyd Primary Schools are currently at.

9. We understand that in accordance with the Welsh SchoolOrganisation Code, Section 3.5 the department will “summarize each of the issues raised by consultees and respond to these by means of clarification, amendment to the proposal or rejection of the concerns, with supporting reasons.” Further to that, we understand that the LEA can also “make recommendations about how to proceed” in their consultation report including

This report has been prepared in line with the WG School Organisation Code (2013).

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“publishing the proposals as consulted on with any appropriate modifications, to abandon the proposals and retain the status quo or to significantly recast the proposals and retain the status quo or to significantly recast the proposals and re-consult” and we shall be looking forward to this published report.

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Annex B

Responses to the Consultation of the proposal to close Trefilan V C Community Primary School

Issued Raised: CCC Response/ Counter Argument

A. Community

1. no young family wanting to be able to walk their childrento school would move to Talsarn, for example, once Trefilan school is gone… As house prices and rents increase in the villages with such amenities (School, pub and corner shop) those on low incomes will be forced to live in places without them. The Council will inadvertently have privileged the affluent over those on low incomes or who are unemployed.

There are several factors that affect house prices, including transport links, crime rate, school catchment area, local amenities, neighbours, flood areas and employment opportunities. The choice of where to buy a home is down to individual preference.

2. Although it might be true that a community is not madeby a school alone, it is clear that Trefilan V. C. Primary School plays a vital role in this diverse and spread out community and in turn the success and excellence of this school has only been achieved with the help of its members. All current parents are involved in the school and a large proportion of clubs and activities are run by parents, something that would not be possible in another school unless all children from Trefilan could go together to a school locally. In all other cases this would be lost, either due to distances or due to the fact that the children would be dispersed over a number of schools, so even if one or two of those clubs could be restarted at another school children from Trefilan V. C. Primary School would no longer be able to benefit from all of those free activities and the way they work together (e.g. gardening, cooking, crafts and the purpose of them in church celebrations or similar). And the community benefit goes way beyond this, with input from people that are not parents at the school and also through clubs that are offered to all adults of the local and wider community. There is also the shop outside the school,

The Authority recognises and values the contribution that the staff, parents and members of the community have made to the school, area and community.

The principle purpose of a school is to educate the pupils to the best standards possible and it is not reasonable to expect schools and pupils to carry the wider burden of the impact of non-educational issues and they cannot be allowed to compromise the education of children.

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as are currently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at the alternative schools. It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities

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the only opportunity for local people, especially the elderly, to buy something without having to travel by car. 3. Flaws in the Impact Assessment negate its use to judgewhether the closure of Trefilan would improve educational provision, the closure of a church school and its impact on the community has not been given careful consideration. The impact of the ingress of pupils and … siblings into these communities has not been properly addressed. The closure of Trefilan school will only achieve short term gain and will provide nothing for the future

The Impact Assessment has given consideration to the following factors as required under the WG School Organisation Code (2013):

School designation School links to the local community Impact on parents and families Travelling implications for pupils/parents Impact on community activities Impact on community facilities Impact on community demographics

4. I attend the fortnightly “Come and Craft” sessions held inthe evenings at Ysgol Trefilan. I am concerned that if the proposed closure were to go ahead these sessions would cease. I have made many friends through these craft evenings and learned new skills alongside improving my spoken Welsh. As a group we also provide resources and skills for the Ysgol Trefilan Clwb Gwinio. Should these children be forced to move to another school would they have the same opportunities to join a sewing club and to learn other valuable crafts? Would another school be as willing as Ysgol Trefilan for our crafting group to use their building in the evenings? I am very concerned of the impact upon the wider community should this wonderful school close, as we have a number of elderly members of this crafting group who may not be willing or be able to travel further than this location. I also regularly make use of the School Fruit and Vegetable Shop, and I know many other community members rely upon it too. (X9)

The principle purpose of a school is to educate the pupils to the best standards possible and it is not reasonable to expect schools and pupils to carry the wider burden of the impact of non-educational issues.

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as are currently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at the alternative schools. It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities. Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.

Should Trefilan VC Primary School close, we would advise you to contact alternative schools to see whether they would be willing to allow you to use the building in the evening, under the ‘Schools Letting Policy’.

5. Closing the school would remove the younger generationfrom the community – and once the school goes – there is generally a run-down of youth in that area.

There is no evidence to suggest that a closure of a school would remove the younger generation from the community, nor that a run-down of youth occurs in that area. The closure of a school will not necessarily result in families moving away from the area.

6. Such a shame that all the community primary schools arebeing closed – how are children supposed to grow up with

A community is defined as ‘a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants’ and is therefore not made up of a school alone. Children develop a

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and develop a sense of community spirit without them? And parents are stressed to have to travel further with their children, which is not good for them or their child.

sense of community spirit regardless of which school they attend.

Parents will not necessarily be required to travel further, as pupils of statutory school age will be provided with free transport as noted in the ‘Council’s School Transport Policy.’

7. The Church too plays its part in helping these childrengrow, their Harvest Festival and Nativity Play are highlights of the year with all of the children taking part. The School fete is a community affair with sports for the children and parents and highly competitive race over 5k’s for the more serious runners. These activities are eagerly awaited and extremely well supported by not only the children but their parents and members of the wider community. The School plays a significant part in keeping the village alive and we see too often the effect on the community of closing the very institution which attracts young families into the area. The aim of the Council is to save money but in this case it seems that potentially the whole community will bear the brunt of this particular saving.

The Authority recognises and values the contribution that the school and staff have made to the area and community.

The principle purpose of a school is to educate the pupils to the best standards possible and it is not reasonable to expect schools and pupils to carry the wider burden of the impact of non-educational issues and they cannot be allowed to compromise the education of children.

8. Village schools form the heart of all communities andprovide a happy and safe place for children to learn. Let us please put children first.

The principle purpose of a school is to educate the pupils to the best standards possible and it is not reasonable to expect schools and pupils to carry the wider burden of the impact of non-educational issues and they cannot be allowed to compromise the education of children. It follows that the child is being put first.

B. Pupil welfare – school moves

1.…the proposal to close Trefilan VC school would mean a split in peer/friendship/family groups. How will the County ensure the children of Trefilan are not educationally and psychologically damaged from moving schools at this stage in their lives? What support will be available to our family should they suffer in this way? (x2)

Pupils affected by the proposed closure will be provided with the following: Transition opportunities with their new school, meeting with teachers etc. Provide a ‘Group time’ session for the pupils in order that they are able to

share feelings etc. – we used Theatre in Education (Arad Goch) to do thiswhen the 4 schools came together to form Ysgol T. Llew Jones,Brynhoffnant and when Ysgol Cribyn closed

Ensure that comprehensive information about each child’s personality,background and educational attainment is transferred effectively, and thatteachers within Trefilan and the ‘alternative’ school meet in order to discusspupils and their needs.

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2. I would go as far to say that what you are proposing isagainst human rights. To knowingly break up a tightly bonded Christian family unit into surrounding schools, where there is no guarantee that these schools will be open in the forthcoming years, or provide the same religious teachings is bordering immoral. Where is the security for these kids? The emotional and educational impact of repeated moves within primary education is well documented, with detrimental affects.

Alternative schools offered include a Voluntary Controlled School (Myfenydd) and a voluntary Aided School (Llanwenog), and therefore offer the same denominational education for the pupils.

All schools are subject to the criteria of the School Review Policy, and should they meet this criteria may be subject to school closure.

It is acknowledged that repeated moves can have a negative impact on a child’s emotional and educational attainment. However, from Ceredigion’s experience of school restructuring, such move can have a positive effect on pupils’ attainment as evidenced by the long term improvement in attainment at Ysgol Bro Sion Cwilt (opened in 2010). It is recognised that there may be a slight dip in performance due to the initial upheaval, but standards in the longer term are higher.

3. The alternative church provision offered by the Council isitself earmarked for closure. By referring us to a school that is due to close the Council is asking and expecting our children to move to primary schools several times during their primary level education. What evidence does the Council have that moving schools is not harmful to a child’s education?

It is true that Llanwenog VA School is earmarked for closure in order to create a new Area School in Drefach (VC). However, Myfenydd VC School has also been offered as an alternative Church School.

The pupils attending Caerwedros, Gwenlli and Llanllwchaearn were moved to the new area school, Bro Sion Cwilt in Synod Inn which opened in January 2010. Despite the initial upheaval, and initial dip in performance, current standards within the school are above the standards at Caerwedros, Gwenlli and Llanllwchaearn. It follows that moving schools is not harmful to a child’s education.

A report commissioned by the Welsh Government Rural Development Sub-committee (Nov 2008) concluded that “evidence from Professor David Reynolds suggested that pupils in the schools in Pembrokeshire that were recently reorganised did better after the reorganisation that those in the non-reorganised schools. He argued that the children preferred the bigger schools, because they had more friends, there were more sports teams, and there were more facilities”. Also, the Commission on the Delivery of Rural Education report by the Scottish Government April 2013 stated: “In some of the communities the Commission visited, it found evidence that while a school closure had been resisted and closure still took place, the impact had been less than was feared, with communities adjusting to different school provision and community focus continuing in individual villages”.

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4. What provisions will be made for our children?Transport, schooling, after school clubs. Will the children be able to stay in a school together if Trefilan is to close? My son has a great bond with all the children and teachers here and I feel that a disruption of this kind is unnecessary and will upset these children and this in itself will cause their education to be affected in a detrimental way.

Should the closure of Trefilan VC Primary school be approved, pupils will be provided with the support as noted in B1 above.

Transport will be provided in line with Ceredigion County Council’s School Transport Policy.

Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children. Standards, after-school clubs and extra-curricular activities available at each of the offered schools have been noted in the Consultation Document/ Impact Assessment. Parents may wish to send their child to the nearest school and therefore the pupils of Trefilan VC Primary may attend different schools. After school clubs will be dependent upon which school parents decide to send their children and the clubs currently available at that school.

Every effort will be made to ensure the least disruption possible to the pupils.

5. What provision are you going to implement to preventthese children being separated and being upset? 6. It cannot be right to split 21 children up in the threeschools in Dyffryn Aeron, and I know that parents will not choose the others because they want the children to stay in one group. 7. Impact of children and move to other schools notconsidered adequately. Concern re impact of children not being considered as a school together. 8. It is a church school… and the distances to either of theother church schools make these very unattractive options, especially as Llanwenog will not remain open for more than a couple of years. This would mean two upheavals before my grandson even begins secondary school, and the children would be in the wrong secondary school catchment area, causing a lack of integration for them and their parents. I know that all the parents want the children to stay together and this seems impossible until a new area school is built and Trefilan is kept open until then. It would be very damaging to split the children up as it would in all likelihood mean sibling groups would be kept together, but peer groups would have to split up.

It is acknowledged that should pupils wish to attend Llanwenog VA School that they would be required to move once more when the new area school in Drefach opens. However, Myfenydd VC School has also been offered as an alternative Church School.

If parents decide to send their children to Llanwenog VA School, free transport will be provided for pupils of statutory school age, as noted in the School Transport Policy. The Council’s “School Transport Policy” states that free transport will be provided for pupils living 3 miles or more from the nearest suitable Secondary School. The Policy currently would not accommodate free transport to any other secondary school and any change would have to be subject to a review of the policy.

Ultimately, parents are able to decide which schools to send their children. . It is unlikely that the new area school in the Aeron Valley will be built before 2020 and therefore pupils currently attending Trefilan VC Primary will be in the Secondary sector by the time the new area school opens.

9. Let us keep the status quo at Trefilan for the time being, We are not in a position to guarantee that Trefilan pupils will not face multiple

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thus avoiding having to move children twice and hurting their feelings.

moves. However, it is unlikely that pupils will be moved twice. It is unlikely that the new area school in the Aeron Valley will be built before 2020 and therefore pupils currently attending Trefilan VC Primary will be in the Secondary sector by the time the new area school opens.

Llanwenog VA has been included as an alternative school, which will merge with Cwrtnewydd and Llanwnnen to create an Area School in Drefach. Ultimately, parents are able to decide which schools to send their children.

10. Splitting up these children who have learnt together inthis family setting is extremely unfair and disruptive to their education. How can the Council guarantee that Trefilan pupils will not face multiple moves? 11. I understand that parents are keen for their children tobe moved en masse. Therefore, in the light of your PLASC figures for January 2014, in addition to the fact that the figures for Ysgol Trefilan will be higher by April 2013, it is obvious that none of the local primary schools will be able to accommodate the pupils of Ysgol Trefilan. I understand that the Authority intends to investigate the possibility of creating a new area school in the Aeron Valley within the next six years; therefore would it not be reasonable for it to keep the status quo for the time being and not run the risk of disrupting the children’s education by moving them twice or possibly more?

12. As the parent of a pre-school child I have the dilemmaof whether to home educate my child in order to provide a more stable learning environment. What is the Council’s target for the maximum number of primary school moves a student in Ceredigion should endure during their primary education?

The Council has no maximum number of primary school moves a student in Ceredigion should endure during their primary education. Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.. However, support will be provided as required.

13. We have recently moved to the area from London andhave 3 children who will all be going to school in due course. Trefilan would have been my first choice if it had not been under threat of closure with potential upheaval that would cause to my children’s education and emotional wellbeing.

Comment noted.

C. Effect on pupils from other schools

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1. I would like to seek assurance that the Council has put inplace robust plans and processes to support all those involved in this process of transition to ensure that no individual, school or community is disadvantaged by this process. I would also like assurance that there are robust procedures to ensure that those families affected have the appropriate information to make sound informed choices when required.

Pupils affected by the proposed closure will be provided with the following: Transition opportunities with their new school, meeting with teachers etc. Provide a ‘Group time’ session for the pupils in order that they are able to

share feelings etc. – we used Theatre in Education (Arad Goch) to do thiswhen the 4 schools came together to form Ysgol T. Llew Jones,Brynhoffnant and when Ysgol Cribyn closed

Ensure that comprehensive information about each child’s personality,background and educational attainment is transferred effectively , and thatteachers within Trefilan and the ‘alternative’ school meet in order to discusspupils and their needs


Disruption for all pupils will be kept to a minimum through integration work. Children are generally able to adapt very quickly to change.

Parents have been provided with the facilities, educational standards etc. of the 5 schools offered as alternatives in the Consultation document/ Impact Assessment. Should Trefilan VC Primary School close, Parents will need to decide which school to send their children to and to submit an admission form to the Council.


2. I would like assurance that for those schools who doreceive new intake as a result of this process, that appropriate support is available to allow a successful integration of the new children in a way which adds to the educational experience of the existing school cohort. 3. I understand that Cilcennin is one of the chosen schoolsto accommodate the children from Trefilan school if it were to close. My child/ren are already very well established within Cilcennin school and have their own friends and social groupings. I would like to know how you propose to ‘adopt’ these children? What support will be there for ALL the children (and staff) – how will you ensure that they integrate solidly? How will this disruption affect my child/rens learning and education? (x7) 4. We are concerned regarding lack of consideration givento the childrens needs and the impact a move will have on them, concerned also that other school within area haven’t been considered as the impact of an influx of children would cause disruption to all children.

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5. How will parents be integrated into their new school asthe time table would mean this would be occurring over the summer holidays during which time the Schools would not be open to allow integration? (x2)

The final decision will be made by Council in July, It is hoped that this will allow time for some integration to occur. It is acknowledged that time will be limited but every effort will be made to ensure integration (as noted in C1 above).

It is up to individual schools to arrange for parents to be integrated into the school. From past experience of school closures, the alternative schools have provided opportunities for parents to visit the school and to become fully integrated.

D. Staff implications

1. if the Council’s decision is to close these schools andtransfer pupils to alternative schools, how does the Council intend to support all the pupils and staff affected by this?”

Please refer to C1-4 above for the support that will be provided to pupils.

Staff If the Council’s decision is to close these schools, discussions will take place between Human Resources, staff and Union Representatives based on the staffing requirements of the schools and dispersal of pupils as outlined in the “Managing Staff in Schools – Policy and Procedure for Handling Organisational Change – in Schools (available on the Council Website: http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/Democratic_Services_Meetings_Public/Y%20Polisi%20ar%20Drefn%20ar%20gyfer%20Ymdrin%20a%20Newid%20Sefydliadol%20-%20mewn%20Ysgolion%20Policy%20and%20Procedure%20for%20Handling%20Organisati.pdf) The Council has established a Redeployment protocol that all Schools have been asked to sign up to, this will allow prior consideration to be given by Governing Bodies to staff who are facing redeployment.

All staff will have a one to one redeployment meeting with HR staff to support their redeployment options and to discuss their wellbeing offering support and advice including the following:

Support to staff to look for other work e.g. by providing workshops oncreating CV’s, fake interviews etc.

Staff are provided with information on redeployment opportunities that maybecome available within the Council

Advice on funding available via national initiatives Offer counselling services to those who require support emotionally

2…UCAC will expect the Local Authority do to everything within its power to ensure that relocation processes are strictly followed. It is vital that everything is done to ensure that no jobs are lost and that support is provided in order to ensure the welfare of our staff at this extremely difficult time. We therefore very much hope that the Local Authority will be willing to meet with our members on an individual basis, as and when required. Our members will be accompanied by their Union Representative.

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http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/Democratic_Services_Meetings_Public/Y%20Polisi%20ar%20Drefn%20ar%20gyfer%20Ymdrin%20a%20Newid%20Sefydliadol%20-%20mewn%20Ysgolion%20Policy%20and%20Procedure%20for%20Handling%20Organisati.pdf




E. Education

1. Trefilan School has had an excellent recordacademically.

Comment noted.

2. On page 15 of the Impact Assessment it states,“standards in all schools at KS1 and KS2 are currently good with achievements above or close to the National Comparators…” When the specific levels of attainment are read in light of that statement, it does not equate with some of the schools achieving noticeably lower than Trefilan in a number of core subjects. Trefilan pupils (21 in April) do not need to move to a school which, “will provide an opportunity to improve education provision,” when the current provision delivers 100% attainment at all levels across the curriculum and was deemed Good with areas of excellence at the most recent Education Department review. (x2)

It is acknowledged that the WG School Organisation Code (2013) states that: “In all cases, existing pupils at a school where provision is being reduced or removed must be able to continue receiving an education that provides at least equivalent standards and opportunities for progression in their current language medium…”

Standards at Trefilan VC Primary School are high.

The Estyn Report “School Size and Educational Effectiveness – December 2013” states that “in small primary schools, where the number of pupils in each year group is frequently in single figures, meaningful comparisons about comparative performance can be more challenging.”

It must be noted that the cohorts within Trefilan VC and the 5 schools offered as alternative schools, vary from one child representing 100% to one child representing 8.3% i.e. 100% achievement would represent 1 child in one school whilst representing 12 children in another.

Aeron Valley Schools Standards of education in two out of the three schools offered as alternative schools within the Aeron Valley area are equivalent to that at Trefilan VC Primary. This information is based on the most recent Estyn Inspection and levels of attainment at the Foundation Phase and Key Stage 2. There is capacity for 17 pupils within these 2 schools (according to PLASC 2014 data).

During 2012/13: 100% of pupils in Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Trefilan VC Primary

Schools achieved the Foundation Phase Indicator – pupils from Trefilan VC

3. There is a need to ensure that pupils are offered astandard of education that matches, or is superior to, that of the current school. A number of parents are concerned that the achievements of nearby schools are lower than those of the current school. 4. The Council policy states that if a school is to be closedthen the same or better academic provisions should be provided to the children. How are you going to provide this since there is no spaces in the nearby schools that are of the same academic provisions for all of the children to be moved together? 5. Given the academic standards and opportunities open forall the children of Trefilan School I would like clarification and evidence that another school could provide all of the same to the same standards. 6. There is a great deal of evidence that proves that YsgolTrefilan is one of the best performing schools in the county. What certainty can the County Council give parents and the

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wider community that Ysgol Trefilan children will be offered a similar education and the same opportunities in another school, should this proposal lead to the closure of the school?

represented 5% of these pupils within these 4 schools; 87.5% of the total pupils in Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Trefilan VC

Primary School achieved the Core Subject Indicator at Key Stage 2 – pupilsfrom Trefilan VC represented 8% of key stage 2 pupils within these schools.

Church Schools Of the 2 religious schools offered, standards are equivalent in both schools. There is capacity for 26 pupils in these schools (according to PLASC 2014 data).

During 2012/13: 100% of pupils in Llanwenog VA, Myfenydd VC and Trefilan VC Primary

Schools achieved the Foundation Phase Indicator – pupils from Trefilan VCrepresented 8% of these pupils within these 3 schools;

91.6% of the total pupils in Llanwenog VA, Myfenydd VC and Trefilan VCPrimary School achieved the Core Subject Indicator at Key Stage 2 – pupilsfrom Trefilan VC represented 17% of key stage 2 pupils within these 3schools.

Conclusion It follows that from the 5 schools offered as alternative schools, 4 schools are considered to be of equivalent standards to that at Trefilan VC Primary. A similar education provision could be provided within 2 of the schools in the Aeron Valley area or within the denominational schools offered.

All 5 schools offered as alternative schools have current prospects by Estyn judged to be good.

7…it is vital that the children concerned attend a local school with the same standards of education and the same opportunity, evidently proposed schools do not and would give them what the gain from Trefilan school. 8. There is no advantage to any Trefilan pupil in transferringto any of the accommodating schools as none of them can offer better educational provision. 9. I would like to know what better provision you propose fortheir continuous education? 10. Please explain to me how, exactly, a move to anotherschool could possibly enhance these children’s and their families lives? 11. Why close this school and move the children to a schoolthat doesn’t perform so well. If a school has to close shouldn’t it be a school that is underachieving. 12. Why close a school with such good results. You shoulduse this school as a template of what a good school is meant to be not close it. How is trying to close a good school going to make our future better. 13. How will the County ensure ALL Trefilan VC Schoolchildren have access to the same standards of education and achieve the same outcomes as they do now? (x2) 14. On closer inspection, I notice a reference within thedocument to the fact that the results of other schools within the area currently fall well short of those of Ysgol Trefilan. This is worrying, given the fact that all pupils should receive a similar, if not a better, standard of education following the closure of any school. 15. How are you hoping to provide spaces and a goodeducation locally? 16. From your own data, there is not one school amongst

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the suggested five accepting schools, which would provide exactly the same educational standards in all areas of the curriculum, as those consistently being achieved in Trefilan. 17. Please keep open Trefilan school, that you reviewed as“good with areas of excellence” only matched by one other school in the area (which has insufficient spaces for all children of Trefilan to move to). 18. The consistently high standards of education which –according to available data from your department that I have accessed since the publication of the Consultation Document, due to some inaccuracies in the document – are comparatively better right across the board, than any of the five suggested accepting schools and since children from a closing school should be provided with educational standards equal or better than those of the closing school, this is one reason that Trefilan should remain open until there is an alternative which provides these standards. 19. The consistently high standard of education offeredthere does not warrant a closure. The fact that you are unable to provide, and I quote from your documents, “educational standards equal or better than those of the closing school,” is one very good reason Trefilan should remain open until you are able to offer these standards. 20. The consistently high standards of attainment that yourdata shows, are comparatively better right across the curriculum, than all but one of the five accommodating schools being offered. The children must be offered a school that is the same or better, according to your own policy when closing a school. It would seem that the only option for the parents, is to press for Trefilan to remain open until a suitable alternative exists for every single one of the pupils – 21 I think, in September 2014 21. The figures in the document about closing the schoolshow that there is only one school with the same levels of attainment as Trefilan, and it does not have enough places

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for the children from Trefilan. 22. The information in the consultation document along withthe Estyn reports and having attended many events and open days at the school over the years, proves just how good the level of education is at Trefilan and it seems ludicrous to close a school with such outstanding results and so many extra-curricular activities that link up with the members of the community. 23. It seems that those schools where places are availableare not of the same academic standard, that they might not all go to the same school; that they do not offer the same wide range of extra-curricular activities. On all levels this is something of a trauma to the children…

Standards within the alternative schools are noted in E2-22 above.

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as are currently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at the alternative schools. It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities. 24. Why shut a school which is performing above other

schools in the area. Surely the main aim for any school is to help its pupils to attain the best grades they can. Not only are they providing excellent results but also provide extra-curricular opportunities for their pupils. 25. I question … the positive impacts on educationalstandards on page 4 of the document “closure will expose pupils to improved planning and schemes of work, quality of provision and monitoring of subjects,” with these positive impacts of closure, one expects there to be an improvement in academic achievements, however, one cannot improve on 100% achievement of attainment levels. This is NOT a positive impact of closure.

The comment on page 4 “Increased number of staff expertise in a larger school environment – this will be reflected in improved planning and schemes of work quality of provision and monitoring of subjects,” refers to the increased number of teachers at a larger primary school which enables a greater diversity of specialism in individual subjects.

According to the Estyn report “School Size and educational effectiveness – December 2013”, “in large and medium-sized primary schools, it may be more likely that staff have a wider range of expertise and knowledge of specific themes, topics and subjects that can enrich the curriculum for the pupils. There may also be more opportunities to share good practice between classes.”

26. The information in the documents proves just how gooda school it is, so why are you even considering closing it when it has results that many head teachers would be very proud of? Why close a school when there is NO school that has similar education, extra-curricular activities and links

It is acknowledged that performance at Trefilan VC Primary School is good. Four of the five schools offered as alternative schools are of equivalent standards. According to PLASC 2014, there are 17 spare places in the 2 equivalent standard schools within the Aeron Valley and 26 spare places in the denominational

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with a very large number of communities and clubs AND has the space for all the children to move together (x4)

schools.

Trefilan VC Primary has been reviewed due to satisfying the ‘School Review Policy’ of there being less than 20 pupils at the school.

Several factors are taken into consideration when recommending a school for closure which include surplus places, pupil numbers, financial savings and performance. Performance is therefore only one element among others.

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as are currently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at the alternative schools. It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities.

27. Trefilan has 100% attainment levels in all areas – on apar with only one school in Dyffryn Aeron – a school which has only a very tiny number of spare places in September 2014. Surely, closure should be on the basis of academic performance and not on an arbitrary number of spare places, and on inaccurate projection of the pupil numbers in the school? If the judgement was on performance, you could not justify closing Trefilan school in place of any other could you? I understand that when a school is closed, the pupils must be provided with a standards of education equal or better that their current provision. If there is not sufficient space in the equally performing school for all the pupils of Trefilan school, where are Trefilan pupils to go for this equal or better provision of education? 28. My children currently happily attend a school withexcellent educational outcomes and great facilities and activities. If these proposals were to go ahead, our new nearest school would be Cilcennin Primary School. No matter, how excellent the Estyn rating is for Ceredigion as a whole … this does not take away from the fact that there are distinct differences between individual schools. In the case of my own children it is taking them from a good to excellent school into one that has just been rated adequate throughout. The currently proposals do not provide all children from Trefilan with alternative provisions of at least equivalent or better educational standards. In fact Trefilan would be the worst affected school out of all the current proposals in the area and the county as a whole, as we would have the most children that would end up with a new nearest school that is rated adequate, at least most other schools proposed for closure have new nearest schools that seem to be

You are not necessarily expected to send your children to the nearest school, which, in your case, would be Cilcennin Primary. Four other schools which have equivalent standards have been offered as alternative schools. If your child is of statutory school age and you live over 2 miles away from the chosen school, free transport will be provided to your chosen school (from the 5 schools offered as alternative schools) under the Council’s “School Transport Policy”

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maintaining educational standards. 29. In the most recent estyn report (2014) for Cilcennin itwas reported that the buildings were too small for group work in KS2, with possible extra pupils from Trefilan and Dihewyd how can this be right for our children’s education

It is acknowledged that the Estyn Report on Cilcennin School (2013) states that “At times, there is not enough room or an appropriate environment for key stage 2 pupils to undertake their group activities in the main building.” However, learning environment has been judged to be good with the school making full use of the buildings and the site.

Cilcennin is one of five schools offered as alternative schools.

Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.

30. My next nearest school would be Cilcennin! As I have 3of my children in key stage 2 from September ’14 and in light of recent published Estyn Inspection this is more than a little worrying. How would the county ensure ALL my children (and ALL the children of Trefilan VC School) have access to the same opportunities to attain the same educational outcomes as they do now? (x2)

Cilcennin/Llanwenog are not the only option available to you. Felinfach, Ciliau Parc and Myfenydd are alternative schools offered. The consultation document outlines the standards of education in the 5 schools offered – 4 of the schools offered provide an equivalent standard. Parents can choose which school they wish to send their children.

According to the School Admission Policy 2014/15, places will be allocated up to the school’s admission number. However, should the number of applications exceed the admission number, the following oversubscription criteria, listed in priority order, will be used to allocate places:

looked after pupil; the school for which a preference has been expressed is the nearest

suitable school; Exceptional cases referred to the Authority by Social Services or the

relevant Medical Officer where the admission to a particular school isnecessary for the medical or social well-being of the child. In such cases aletter from a registered health professional such as a doctor or social workerwill be required, which provides supporting evidence in order that fullconsideration can be given to the case;

pupils with a brother or sister in the school at the time of admission. Brotheror sister includes half-siblings, step siblings adoptive and foster childrenliving in the same house.

31. Cilcennin is listed mostly as Adequate… To transferfrom Trefilan which is listed as Good, would make no sense. Will you please explain why you think this would be a sensible move?

Llanwenog would be the best option but as it is also going to be closed it would not be in the best interest … to transfer there and face yet another change of school later. This according to the Planning Education Provision report.

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32. If the proposed closure to Trefilan V C School were togo ahead the next nearest school would be Felinfach, whilst the journey time might not impact much upon my children the fact that there are limited places there definitely would do. According to your published document there is not one of the proposed accommodating schools that matched Trefilan’ s religious character, educational standards and before/after school provision. Any move, however upsetting/unsettling that would be for my children would mean either a school with lower educational outcomes and/or no access to after school clubs. How would you advise me to choose which of my children access the best education (learning outcomes and extra-curricular) and which will not? I would appreciate your guidance on this difficult matter. (x2)

The consultation document outlines the standards, religious character and before/after school provision of each of the schools offered as alternatives. 4 of the 5 schools offered as alternative schools have equivalent standards and 2 offer equivalent denominational education.


It has been acknowledged in the Impact Assessment that travelling time would have a negative impact on pupils. However, free transport would be provided in line with the Council’s “School Transport Policy.” Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.

33. I am concerned that as there are limited spaces in theproposed accommodating schools, not only will there be a chance my grandchildren may be split from their peer/friendship groups but also that as siblings they may not be able to go to the same school. This would impact upon the academic standards they are achieving as it is evident from the LEA document that not all accommodating schools have the same high academic standards as Ysgol Trefilan. Would then my daughter and her partner have to choose which of their children would have to go to a school with significantly lower standards? I would like your guidance in this matter please as I see it would be an impossible decision for any parent with more than one child

The consultation document outlines the standards within each of the 5 schools offered as alternatives. It is up to parents to decide which school they wish to send their children.

According to the School Admission Policy 2014/15, places will be allocated up to the school’s admission number. However, should the number of applications exceed the admission number, the following oversubscription criteria, listed in priority order, will be used to allocate places:


suitable school; Exceptional cases referred to the Authority by Social Services or the


pupils with a brother or sister in the school at the time of admission. Brother

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or sister includes half-siblings, step siblings adoptive and foster children living in the same house.

34. Our two boys attend Ysgol Ciliau Parc and I would liketo gain a better understanding of your plans to meet the educational requirements of the county without Ysgol Trefilan and Ysgol Dihewyd.

Parents from Dihewyd have been offered Ciliau Parc, Cilcennin and Felinfach as alternative schools whilst parents from Trefilan VC Primary have been offered Ciliau Parc, Cilcennin, Felinfach, Llanwenog VA and Myfenydd VC as alternative schools.

Two of the three schools within the Aeron valley Schools have equivalent standards, whilst both the denominational schools have equivalent standards.

According to PLASC 2014, there are 19 pupils in Dihewyd School and 19 pupils in Trefilan VC School, and capacity for 33 pupils within the Aeron Valley Schools, and capacity for 26 pupils in the denominational schools.

Should the proposal to close Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary proceed, parents will need to decide which of the 3/5 schools they wish to send their children.

35. It has some of the highest academic achievements inthe area, it is only local church school, it has the most culturally diverse school population in the locality, the cost of supporting pupils by coach and taxi will be costly, the school building cannot be sold and the surplus places could be reduced.

It is acknowledged that standards within Trefilan VC Primary are high and that it is a church school. The 5 Schools offered as alternative schools include 2 church schools and 4 schools of equivalent standards.

It is acknowledged that there is a diverse range of cultures within Trefilan VC Primary. Diversity can be defined as the encompassing of acceptance and respect. However, diversity does not include culture alone. Race, gender, socio-economic status, age, culture, physical disabilities, religious beliefs and other ideologies are aspects of diversity.

The alternative schools offered have more pupil numbers and are likely to include a more diverse range of peer groups (‘diverse’ meaning the aspects noted above as opposed to ‘cultures’ alone).

Diversity and equality are important aspects of the school curriculum and are taught regardless of the diversity of the pupils that attend the individual school,

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which vary greatly from school to school.

The net savings after allowing for the cost of educating the children elsewhere and of transporting them is the saving of - £59,846.

The only way that spare capacity could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased, . 36. I feel that any proposal should put the children and theireducation first and this could only be achieved by: Sending them to a provision that provides better

educational standards and outcomes Sending them together as there are a very close knit

group (e.g. our 2 children have 4 cousins and severalfriends they see daily even during the holidays in thisschool)

Offering them the same free clubs and activities that theycan currently take part in

Offering them education within the localityAllowing some church influence in their new school

Alternative provision offered includes the following: 4 Schools that provide equivalent standards Sending Trefilan pupils to a school together will depend upon parental

choice of which schools they wish to send their children and upon capacityavailable at the alternative schools

No assurances can be given that the same extra-curricular activities as arecurrently provided at Trefilan V C Primary School will be available at thealternative schools. It is up to individual schools to implement their owninitiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities. Three of the schoolsoffered are within the Aeron Valley

Two of the schools offered are denominational schools

F. Larger classrooms

1. I’m concerned about the closure of small primary schoolsacross the county especially at the time when Ceredigion is the county in Wales with the best performing primary schools. This will have a knock on to other primary schools with increased class sizes and less teacher/pupil time. This will have an effect of my child who will be attending a local primary school in a couple of years. I had heard good things about the standards of Trefilan school and had been considering it or an option to my son.

It is acknowledged that class sizes will be larger. However, pupils will be taught with pupils of the same age and similar abilities. This is likely to improve a teacher’s ability to better meet the needs of all learners.

According to the Estyn Report “School Size and Educational Effectiveness – December 2013: “In small schools, there tends to be shortcomings in the provision of foundation subjects at key stage 2. These shortcomings differ from schools to school, but are often linked to gaps in the expertise of staff; In large and medium-sized primary schools, it may be more likely that staff have a wider range of expertise and knowledge of specific themes, topics and subjects that can enrich the curriculum for pupils. There may also be opportunities to share

2. Schools where the children instead of being individualsbecome just one in a sea of faces and some are inevitably lost in the crush. Is this really what you want for our children?

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3. With levels of attainment at 100% in all measured areas itseems strange that the Council views mixed classes as undesirable because the older students are somehow held back by the younger ones. Our observations and attainment levels show that quite the opposite is true, that the younger students are elevated in attainment and aspiration by studying alongside their older friends and mentors. What evidence does the Council have that mixed year classes have a negative effect on learning outcomes?

good practise between classes; In these very small schools… they have to teach a wide range of ages and abilities in the same class. In some instances, teachers in small primary schools teach three or four year groups in one class and it is difficult to ensure that the work meets the needs of each and every pupil.”

4. As a mother of two young children…how would they beable to concentrate in an overfilled class room with the distractions of another 20 children around them? I fear that he would be lost in the crowd? The Educational outcomes of the school have been excellent over the years and as parents we are proud to support the school.

Classrooms would not be overfilled, they would be within guidelines.

No school has been deemed unsatisfactory by Estyn despite 17 small schools closing within the county since 2009.

G. Home Educated

1. Due to the distances and educational outcomes of otherschools, our grandchildren might need to be home educated. My daughter in law is so well educated she will think nothing about teaching my grandchildren herself. How will the Council ensure all children which find themselves in this solution will receive a good education? Will there be any financial help for home educated children?

The LA has a team of officers who can offer advice on Elective Home Education as outlined in the ‘Ceredigion County Council Elective Home Educated Strategy.’ The LA has also produced an information booklet for parents who are considering withdrawing their child from school. The booklet answers many frequently asked questions and suggests other sources of advice and support (see http://fis.ceredigion.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Elective-Home-Education-Information-Booklet-ENG1.pdf)

The LA does not provide any specific resources, as the responsibility for providing educational resources for children on elective home based education falls to the parent.

No financial assistance will be given to Home Educated children. The Authority only receives funding for children that are in school and therefore do not have funding available to support those wishing to home educate their children.

2. The only option…at present is to home educate. Wouldthey be supported in this by the LEA? Given that this generation of children will provide the workforce of the future, does the LEA not think it worth preserving something excellent, rather than settling for second best 3. I totally understand my daughters misgivings about theupheaval my grandchildren will face should this proposal go ahead and will fully support her if she decides to home Educate her children… I would very much like to know of the support available to home educating parents from the LEA? 4…that Home Education is becoming a viable option for our

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http://fis.ceredigion.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Elective-Home-Education-Information-Booklet-ENG1.pdf

http://fis.ceredigion.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Elective-Home-Education-Information-Booklet-ENG1.pdf

family. How will the county support us in this decision? What resources are available to Home Educating families? (x2) 5. What good will closing this school do it will only lead tohome education – is that what you want???

Parents can decide whether they wish to home educate their children or which school they wish to send their children. If parents decide to home educate their children they will be provided with the support as noted in G1-4 above. 6. In my mind a strong option would be to remove our

children from the Education system in Ceredigion all together. In my mind this is the only way to guarantee the future of their education so that it remains unthreatened by repeated County Council financial crisis’ and updated policies. H. Extra-curricular activities

1. The children at Trefilan are offered many after schoolclubs and activities that are not offered at the other neighbouring schools such as Gardening Club, Crafts and Sewing club, Urdd and Forest Schools for free which are run by the parents under the provision of the teachers. How will you manage to continue these extra-curricular activities at other schools?


2. I would question whether any accommodating school canoffer a wider range of social, cultural and sporting activities than Trefilan. This is not a positive impact of closure. Trefilan already has strong positive links with the church, village community, local theatre groups, the police, WI, gardening club, Urdd Llangranog, YFC and the farming community, Denmark Farm and other schools and sporting clubs. I think that it is unlikely that the accommodating schools will offer a wider range of links with the wider community and therefore this is also not a positive impact of closure. 3. How will the County ensure and access to ALL the samerange/types of clubs and activities as Trefilan VC School? 4. We have been sited Estyn reports and the grades forTrefilan are the top grade any school could hope to

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achieve. Though in addition the children here achieve awards relating to Urdd & Eisteddfod, taking in tandem with the supplementary activities provided they are educated for an exceptional standard. I fail to see how CCC can guarantee that if our son is forced to attend a different school he will be given the same level of all inclusive education. On several occasions it has been pointed out to us as parents we have the right to choose where we send our children to attend school’ you are taking away our choice as the school I choose to send our son is Trefilan. In addition CCC is taking away our sons security and continuity of his time in education, since some of the alternative schools in the Aeron Valley are more than likely to come under this same procedure in the near future. 5. Neighbouring schools do not offer a variation of clubsand different experiences for my children

Comment noted.

6…Trefilan has the largest selection of activities and facilities in relation to the other schools in the area, thus giving children a varied and wider educational field

Comment noted.

I. All pupils given a chance

1. All the children, not only the best in the class at Trefilancompete in the competitions at the Eisteddfod, the Royal Welsh and the Urdd and any other school associated competitions giving each child a fair chance and an opportunity to flourish. How would this be continued in a bigger school?

It could be argued that pupils in a larger school would be disadvantaged as only the best pupils would be able to participate in such events. However in a larger school, pupils would be given the opportunity to participate in events and competitions that they would not have been able to in a smaller school e.g. choir, football team, rounders, netball. Pupil numbers in a smaller school do not normally allow for such opportunities.

A report commissioned by the Welsh Government Rural Development Sub-committee (Nov 2008) concluded that “evidence from Professor David Reynolds suggested that …. children preferred the bigger schools, because they had more friends, there were more sports teams, and there were more facilities”.

2. We chose a small school for our children because wewanted them to learn and play with children of all ages, in all areas of school life. We did not want them to be limited to doing things that they were best at, or chosen because they excelled at something but because they were part of an enlarged family who support each other to do their best even when it might not be their strength. Small schools allow each child to shine and develop whatever their needs

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or talents are. They are supported within a rich, diverse culture where the bridge between school and home is strong. Teachers, parents and Governors supporting one another, no ask too big or small. Children flourish when they feel safe, nurtured and secure, they can relax into childhood, into learning when they know that the adults around them work as unity. 3. Trefilan offers a wider variety of additional activities andfacilities which is vital for the individual child.

Comment noted.

4…they are supported academically and given every opportunity to take part in any events/competitions/games/after-school clubs that they wish, I have witnessed first hand their success at the Royal Welsh Show and the National Eisteddfod.

Comment noted.

J. Breakfast/ After School Clubs/ Childcare

1…the breakfast club in Trefilan is essential to allow me time to travel to my work in Aberystwyth. Since the funding for the actual breakfast club has been withdrawn by the Council the children that attend the club are happy to take their breakfast with them. Without this facility myself and a number of parents would not be able to work!

The Impact Assessment notes that there is no breakfast club in Trefilan VC Primary. The information provided in the Impact Assessment on breakfast clubs and other activities/ social events was provided by Trefilan VC Primary School in the form of a questionnaire.

However, it has since been brought to our attention that there is a breakfast club at Trefilan VC School.

The Council has not withdrawn funding for breakfast clubs – the funding has been delegated to schools. It is the school’s decision to continue with supervision only as part of its financial planning. Schools are strongly recommended to offer breakfast clubs, but are not obliged to.

However, Ciliau Parc, Myfenydd and Llanwenog schools also have a breakfast club.

2. I am a parent of 2 children… we chose Trefilan as it isour nearest school and offers excellent educational standards, a morning club and several after school clubs. I

The Council’s priority is to ensure that pupils are provided with a high quality education. Schools are not obliged to offer after school clubs or breakfast clubs. It is up to individual schools to decide whether they wish to offer this additional

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am hoping to return to work and therefore those provisions are essential to us and furthermore due to the close proximity of the school other members of the family would be able to pick up my child(ren) when I am in work…. This would possibly leave me in a situation where I would not be able to return to work as the other schools in the area do not offer the same with regards to before and after schools clubs and my mother-in-law would not be able to pick up our son due to distances. I would not feel happy for my son to go on unsupervised school transport due to his age and this would also not help because nobody would be in if he had to return at 3.30pm, if there were no after school clubs to attend at least some days of the week. Please could you let me know if there will be any special provision or help for parents in our situation?

facility, and this is highly dependent upon the demand for such a service. There is a staffing and cost implication to the school to provide after-school/ breakfast club.

We are not in a position to allow for special provision or support for parents in such situation.

3. In addition, only one of these schools match theeducation outcomes achieved at Trefilan and none provide all the after school clubs currently available to the children.

Comment noted.

4. I rely on my parents to help me with the children afterschool. This would not be an option for us if the children had to attend another school.

Comment noted.

5. We fully support our daughter and as a single parent akey community worker she is dependent on us as parents to aid with picking children up after school

Comment noted.

K. Road Safety

1. No other proposed school has the same SAFE off roadpick up area

Each school is responsible for risk assessment, including drop off points and car parking and to put in place any necessary steps to ensure the safety of pupils. This is in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. 2. Concerns regarding the safety of collecting children on a

busy main road. 3. I am … very well acquainted with that road and the time ittakes to do the journey from Talsarn to Drefach/ Llanwenog. Given the number of accidents on the B4337 and A475 how will the county ensure the safety of my precious children

The contracted bus company is required to risk assess the journey in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. All designated school transport vehicles are provided with seat belts.

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should I decide to continue their church education at Llanwenog/Drefach? (x2) 4. How do you propose to accommodate all of thesechildren at Ysgol Ciliau Parc and Ysgol Felinfach in the knowledge that they are already full?! You will need a patrol to help children cross a busy main road! More cars parked on our roads!!

As noted in K1 and K2 above, each school is required to undertake a risk assessment in order to ensure the safety of the pupils. There is a school Crossing Patrol at Felinfach Primary.

L. Transport /Travelling

1. Ceredigion School Transport Policy states that transportto church schools would only be provided to church schools up to 8 miles away, and yet the nearest church schools are over 9 or 10 miles away. The age profile of many of the children and their siblings means they do not believe they will be entitled to free transport.

The School Transport Policy states that free transport is provided for pupils of the minimum compulsory school age (i.e. 5) provided that they reside outside the statutory walking distance and not more than 8 miles from the school of religious denomination. There is a caveat within the policy that allows discretion prior to any change being made to the policy. This could be used to authorise any deviation i.e. the discretion to allow pupils from Trefilan VC Primary to receive free transport to a church school could be implemented before the policy is actually formally updated.

Free transport will be provided to pupils under 5 if spare seats are available and subject to parental agreement i.e. signing a form

2. It would also ensure that denominational education isbeing retained in the area, preventing a withdrawal of choice and avoiding a process in which the council has to alter their transport policy to allow free transport to church schools up to 12 miles away, which might cause increased transport costs throughout the county and beyond, when the restructuring of the local authorities in Wales is being implemented.

See L1 above. Transport costs are provided under Q.‘financial’

3. Trefilan is a church school whose ethos underpins everyaspect of the school, giving the children a true understanding of equality and being taught and nurtured in an atmosphere of Christian love. The offered accepting

If parents decide to send their children to a faith school, there is a caveat within the School Transport policy that allows discretion prior to any change being made to the policy. so.

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church schools in Llanwenog and Llanrhystud are far too far away for the safe transport of the youngest 7 children who will make up a third of the school population next term. Since the parents all want the children to remain as one group, ideally attending a church school, these options are not acceptable, and I support them in this.

In line with this policy, free transport will be provided to children 5 years and over, and under 5 subject to there being a spare seat and parental agreement i.e. sign a form. The contracted bus company is required to risk assess the journey in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children and whether they wish to take up the offer of free transport. 4. Free transport was mentioned by yourself in a meeting,

what sort of irresponsible parent would I be to stick an easily excitable 4yr old and a 6yr old on bus without a teacher or adult supervision other than the bus driver? I’m sure the carnage that could be caused on that bus would be dangerous? 5. Do you believe that any parent would agree to their 4year old child being transported in excess of 8 miles to either of the church schools, without adult supervision or insurance?

See L3 -4 above. All children on the bus will be insured. All designated school transport vehicles are provided with seat belts.

6…as my youngest child is under 5 he will not be entitled to free transport unless I am prepared to sign a disclaimer! I would like clarification on how transport would be affected if some but not all of my children attend an after school club (should any be available). Will the other children hang around in the school yard waiting for the club to finish? Or will the one attending the club not be provided with transport home? (x2)

The School Transport Policy states that free transport is provided for pupils of the minimum compulsory school age (i.e. 5) to the nearest suitable school. Children under 5 will be provided with free transport provided that there is a spare seat and subject to parental consent i.e. signing a form. The School Transport Policy does not take into account extra-curricular activities i.e. the child attending the after school club will not be provided with transport home.

7. They (the parents) have told us that the distances to thetwo other church schools are too far to take the younger children …

Free transport will be provided in line with the School Transport Policy. Ultimately, parents are able to choose whether they wish to take this up.

M. Building - Ownership

1…within various documents concerning the proposal to close Trefilan V C Primary School there is provision mentioned for the receipt of a capital sum due to the Council on the sale of the school premises…the Council does not own the school land or buildings, although… the Council registered ownership with the Land Registry in

Ceredigion County Council’s Legal Team is currently looking into the matter.

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2010…. The School was built in 1859 by my great, great grandfather, on the land he owned , for the benefit of the community of the parish of Trefilan (“and for no other reason”). The family had involvement in the running of the school as trustees until it was taken over by Cardiganshire County Council. There is provision in the documents that if the school ceased to operate as a school, for whatever reason, then the land and buildings revert back to Llanllyr.” 2. It was mentioned in one of the council documents thatthe sale of the school would generate income, but a local family hold a letter from the council stating that once the school was not used for educational purposes it was to be returned to the family who gave the land and money to build the school in the first place. 3. I also understand that the Authority will not profit fromthe sale of the Trefilan building since it will be returned to the ownership of a local family. N. Capacity

1. …I am confused about the stated capacity of the school. How can the capacity of the school suddenly increase from 24 to 48 overnight when there has been no increase in the footprint of the school, nor even any re-organisation of the internal spaces within the school? The capacity then miraculously comes down to 40, which is apparently the current capacity… If the capacity during the first few years of the century was 24 and had been retained, then there would be 3 spare places in September 2014 – a mere twelve and a half percent and very close to the magic number of 10% that the Welsh government would like all schools to achieve. Why is it not possible to reduce the school capacity once more?

The original capacity for Trefilan VC Primary School was 24. However, following the Welsh Government raising the issue of measuring a school without a hall, the figure was increased to 48.

Originally in a school without a hall, the Authority (including Dyfed) would take out one class and ear-mark this class as a hall for the sake of calculating the capacity. The Welsh Government suggested that the classroom should be included within the capacity if it was used mainly as a classroom. This is the reason for the capacity increasing from 24 to 48.

In 2011, the new Welsh Government calculation spreadsheet suggested that the school had insufficient resource space for 48 pupils and recommended that the capacity should be reduced to 40. This was the reason for the capacity reducing from 48 to 40. The explanation was sent to the Governing Body.

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2. It is claimed that the school’s capacity is 40; howeverthere is a significant surge in the figures (according the Authority’s own table), from 24 to 40 in 2010, without there being any change to the school. This merely represents a change in the hypothetical formula for calculating capacity.

The new capacity calculation was recorded as follows:

Room Ref Room description

Area (m2) Total Places Pupil Places

1 Classroom 48.23 25 25 2 Classroom 44.14 23 23 Decrease due to insufficient resource space -8 Total pupil places 40

3. There are savings that could be made in Trefilan if itstays open, and it wouldn’t be difficult to reduce the spare capacity in the school.

The capacity has been calculated based on the area of the 2 classrooms within the school. The only way that spare capacity of the school could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased.

4. Is there capacity within the Council’s alternative schoolsfor both Trefilan and Dihewyd pupils (Ysgol Ciliau Parc, Ysgol Cilcennin and Ysgol Felinfach) not only now, but during future intakes of pupils.

Current - PLASC It is acknowledged that if all children from Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School were to attend the 3 schools in the Aeron Valley that there would be strain on the capacity within these schools. However, 2 other schools have been included as alternatives for pupils from Trefilan VC Primary.

According to PLASC January 2014 figures, there are 185 pupils in Dihewyd, Trefilan, Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools and there is capacity for 180 pupils within Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools.

School PLASC 2014 Capacity Spare places

Cilcennin 36 52 16 Ciliau Parc 55 68 13 Dihewyd 19 N/A N/A Felinfach 56 60 4 Trefilan 19 N/A N/A TOTAL 185 180 -5

Myfenydd 82 91 9 Llanwenog 34 51 17

Should the decision be made to close both Dihewyd and Trefilan Schools, we do

7. Parents …are concerned about over-capacity issues inother Aeron Valley schools, not least if numbers expand with the newly created job opportunities at Dunbia.”

8… there were 186 pupils registered in the 5 schools in the Aeron Valley this January and the 3 local proposed accommodating schools only have 180 places. I understand that due to the amount of pupils leaving this September, all pupils would be able to somehow be accommodated in the 3 remaining schools without much regard to parental choice, however no consideration has been given to how they would fit into particular schools in respect of class size and similar and what would happen in January 2015 or beyond. The Welsh School Organisation Code, and any sensible business model for that fact, requires a 5 year forecast and this is showing clearly that there would be

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more pupils than places in the Aeron Valley should all of the current proposals go ahead. I understand from your response at our meeting that you feel these figures are overinflated due to the incomers from a number of schools outside the Aeron Valley, but (a) those are the current forecasts and therefore the number we need to work with, (b) there are already a lot of Aeron Valley children that do not go to an Aeron Valley School due to the uncertainty that has been created by rumoured and proposed school closures without the provision of an area school first and (c) most importantly it would discount the fact that National Statistic show a clear increase in the number of young children, in particular 0-4 year olds, in the area.

not know which schools would be the preference of parents i.e. parents wishing to continue sending their children to a denominational school would send their children to Myfenydd or Llanwenog and therefore there may be sufficient capacity available within Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach Schools.

16% (3/19) of pupils who currently attend Trefilan VC Primary School live closer to other schools within the county than to Ciliau Parc, Cilcennin, Felinfach, Myfenydd, Llanwenog or Trefilan. These pupils are currently travelling over 5 miles to attend Trefilan V C School. However, it must be noted that parents have the choice of which schools they wish to send their children.

September 2014

Based on the actual figures held, the following table confirms that in September 2014, there would be a total capacity of 47 between Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach, and 40 pupils in Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School.

School (Capacity)

Number on register

Number of applications April 2014

Number of applications September 2014

Year 6 Expected pupil numbers September 2014

Cilcennin (52)

35 1 0 7 29

Ciliau Parc (68)

54 2 1 8 49

Dihewyd (35)

20 1 2 3 20

Felinfach (60)

56 2 4 7 55

Trefilan (40)

19 2 1 2 20

Myfenydd 83 5 3 7 84

7. Until there is a purpose built area school in the AeronValley there is no justification to close Trefilan school, the only church school in the Aeron Valley. There is no room in any of the schools in the Aeron Valley for all the pupils to move together and if Trefilan and the proposed Dihewyd schools were to close the three remaining schools: Felinfach, Cilcennin and Ciliau would be bursting at the seams. How can this be conducive to learning when the schools will not be fit for purpose. 8. When proposing to close a school, it is vital that thecommunity is given the option of moving all pupils to another campus en masse and that they are provided with transport to that campus from their villages, should they require this provision. It will be extremely difficult to offer this to Trefilan and Dihewyd children since other schools in the Aeron Valley have reached full capacity, or are about to do so. 9. All neighbouring schools do not have the capacity toaccommodate all the children from Trefilan in one group.

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(91) Llanwenog (51)

34 0 4 6 32

Class Sizes

Welsh Government admission guidelines confirm that all schools have to accept up to the capacity number and class sizes are realigned as required.

Future Pupil Numbers The pupil projections for all schools are based on the average three year trend in pupil numbers and the average birth rate, which is estimated for the next 5 years. A steep increase/decrease in pupil numbers within this 3 year period can have a significant effect on the accuracy of the projections for the next 5 years, in particular in schools with relatively low numbers. Parents also have the choice of which schools to send their children and are not required to send their children to the nearest school. It must therefore be noted that there are inaccuracies in the projections of individual schools. However, primary age projections for Ceredigion are generally accurate (-1.4% variance in 2012 and -0.5% in 2013).

The table below shows the projected pupil numbers for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd, Felinfach, Trefilan, Myfenydd and Llanwenog schools compared to the actual pupils numbers according to PLASC 2014:

Projected for 2014 Actual PLASC 2014 % Variance Cilcennin 40 36 -10% Ciliau Parc 67 55 -18% Dihewyd 18 19 6% Felinfach 57 56 -2% Trefilan 19 19 0% Myfenydd 100 82 -18% Llanwenog 31 34 10%

Applying the percentage variance to the future projections for 2015 onwards provides a more accurate figure of projections:

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2015 2016 2017 2018

Cilcennin Projected 41 43 47 45 Amended 37 39 42 41

Ciliau Parc Projected 71 71 65 72 Amended 58 58 53 59

Dihewyd Projected 19 19 22 21 Amended 20 20 23 22

Felinfach Projected 58 59 61 62 Amended 57 58 60 61

Trefilan Projected 20 20 21 23 Amended 20 20 21 23

Myfenydd Projected 111 116 127 131 Amended 91 95 104 107

Llanwenog Projected 29 29 27 29 Amended 32 32 30 32

Based on the amended projections that there will be the following spare capacity in Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Llanwenog and Myfenydd schools from 2014 to 2018:

Capacity

Spare Capacity 2014

Spare Capacity 2015

Spare Capacity 2016

Spare Capacity 2017

Spare Capacity 2018

Cilcennin 52 16 15 13 10 12 Ciliau Parc 68 13 10 10 15 9 Felinfach 60 4 3 2 0 -1 TOTAL 180 33 28 25 25 20

Myfenydd 91 9 0 -4 -13 -16 Llanwenog 51 17 19 19 21 19

It is acknowledged that if all children from Dihewyd and Trefilan VC Primary School were to attend the 3 schools in the Aeron Valley that there would be strain on the capacity for future years. However, 2 alternative schools have been offered to pupils in Trefilan VC Primary.

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National Statistics 0-4 year olds

It is acknowledged that there has been an increase in the number of 0-4 year olds across the county. However, actual numbers in individual areas are difficult to calculate and it is not necessary that these 0-4 year olds will remain within Ceredigion by the time they reach school age.

Dunbia

The school was reviewed prior to the WG announcing the funding support for the new Dunbia Plant in Felinfach. Where the potential employees will reside or their choice of school is unknown and difficult to predict

10..there is a lot of worry about Trefilan pupils filling spaces in another school so that local people will then be unable to register their children in their own local school. How is that fair? (x4)

It is understandable that there is some concern within the area regarding the admission of pupils and siblings to their nearest local school taking account of the limited spare capacity in some of the schools, and that both Trefilan VC Primary and Dihewyd Primary have been proposed for closure.

However the School Admission Policy 2014/15 states:

“Places will be allocated up to the school’s admission number. However, should the number of applications exceed the admission number, the following oversubscription criteria, listed in priority order, will be used to allocate places:


suitable school; exceptional cases referred to the Authority by Social Services or the


pupils with a brother or sister in the school at the time of admission. Brotheror sister includes half-siblings, step siblings adoptive and foster childrenliving in the same house.

In the event of a tie, a place will be offered to the pupil who lives nearest to the school.

11. I am concerned as Ysgol Ciliau Parc is one of theschools which may have been affected by this closure. I have siblings waiting to come into this school, how will they be affected if the school is already full with the children and their siblings coming from Trefilan school? Is there a chance that I will be faced with having to find different schools for my children?

This is an issue which does need to be considered as there are other schools in the area closing, how will all the other primary schools cope with increased demand for places.

12. I am concerned about the closing of Trefilan and otherschools because at the moment I have 2 children in Ciliau Parc and am worried that when my next child is ready to go I won’t get a place for her and also will the quality of teaching not be as good as teachers won’t have the time to give like they do now.

13. I cannot understand why you would want to close these

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little schools when the children have nowhere to go. Most schools are almost full. …. I have 2 more children to go to Felinfach to join their siblings – can you ensure/ promise all my kids will end up together?

All distances will be measured by the shortest walking distance between the nearest school gate and the point where the pupil’s dwelling meets the public highway.

Should the Authority not be able to offer a place to a child at their first choice of school during the normal admission round their name will be kept on a waiting list until the 31st of August prior to the start of the relevant academic year. Priority for places will be given according to the above criteria and not according to the date on which application for a place was originally submitted.”

It follows that preference will be given to pupils living to the nearest suitable school and to siblings, however 100% assurance cannot be given that all siblings will attend the same school.

14. How will the county ensure ALL my children have aplace within the same school? (x2)

15. I have been made aware of the proposed closure ofTrefilan V C Primary School. I am concerned as Ysgol Gynradd Felinfach is one of the schools that may be affected by this closure. There is limited capacity at Felinfach School and there are far more children at Trefilan than we have space for – how will this be managed?

It is acknowledged that there is limited capacity at Felinfach School. Admissions will be managed in line with the School Admissions Policy (as noted in N10-14 above). 5 schools have been offered as alternative schools and we are unable to predict which schools parents will decide to send their children should Trefilan V C Primary School close.

16. It was my intention to send my child to Trefilan but nowwith closure, where and when do I need to register my child? Will there be room at Felinfach in view of additional children needing to be accommodated. With the proposed figures clearly they will be over capacity.

The knock on effect of this closure would mean no room for our son to be educated alongside his nine cousins leading him to feel isolated from them, which worries us as to the effect this may have on his confidence happiness and learning abilities. It would also mean us having to travel out of area for our son to obtain his education as there would be no room in the local village school. As well as the inconvenience this would cause us and the negative effect

The admission process is noted as follows: General Admission Process

Parent to contact school of choice. Admission application form to be completed (copies available from school or

Local Education Authority website). Admission form to be returned to school of choice. Headteacher to complete the last page of the admission form and return

form to the Local Education Authority to inform parents as to whetheradmission has been granted.

Places are allocated according to the admission timeline however, priority will be given as outlined in the School Admissions Policy (see N10-14 above).

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on our working career. 17. I live in the Aeron Valley/ Ciliau Aeron/ near TrefilanSchool/ Felinfach and have a toddler who is not already registered for school. What happens if the school is full at the time that I want to register my child? When can I register to make sure my child gets a place? (x5)

Had Ysgol Trefilan not been under review I would have seriously considered registering my child there due to its excellent educational outcomes.

My concerns are that my child isn’t going to have the education she needs, also her Welsh language would be affected aswell.

There is no limit to how early an admission application form can be submitted. The admission process is noted in N16 above.

O. Pupil Numbers

1...numbers due to be 20-strong in September 2014 are not declining

Pupil numbers is September 2014 are expected to be 20 (2 pupils in year 6 leaving and 3 new pupils having filled in admission forms to attend Trefilan V C Primary School in April/September 2014).

Pupil numbers at Trefilan have fluctuated between 17 and 22 for the past 6 years, and have averaged 19 pupils during this period:

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Trefilan 19 17 21 17 22 18 (PLASC figures – Pupil Level Annual Schools Census data – held in January each year).

Pupil numbers have been below 20 for 4 of the past 6 years.

Dunbia

The school was reviewed prior to the WG announcing the funding support for the new Dunbia Plant in Felinfach. Where the potential employees will reside or their

2. Trefilan pupil numbers are rising not falling

3. In the space of two terms Trefilan will have gone from 15pupils to 21… pupil number in line with your published data are actually not falling but rising, and remember that new housing and jobs in Dunbia will attract some families to the area.

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choice of school is unknown and difficult to predict.

4. Several years ago I saw a document which projected thatin 2013/14 there would be 11 pupils in the school and now we see that there are 17 in January and a further 4 starting after Easter. How does this sit with claims that “pupil numbers continue to decline”?

See O1-3 above.

Pupil projections are merely estimates. Of the 2014 projections made in 2013 on the 5 schools in Aeron Valley and the 2 church schools, 1 was 100% accurate; 4 had overestimated by between 2% and 18% and 2 had under-estimated by between 6% and 10%. Further information on the accuracy of projections and on how projections are calculated is available in N4-9 ‘Capacity’ above.

5. The Education department’s own data contradicts thatthere are falling pupil numbers in the area – apart from the Autumn term 2013 – is certainly not experiencing a drop in numbers and the projected figures across all the schools in Dyffryn Aeron until 2018, produce a combined shortfall of 20 or more school spaces if Trefilan school is closed.

PLASC data clearly shows that pupils numbers in Trefilan has fluctuated – decreasing twice within the past 6 years:

2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Trefilan 19 17 21 17 22 18

It is acknowledged that pupil projections are likely to increase in the next 5 years. However, they are unlikely to increase to the level initially indicated (see N4-9 under ‘Capacity’).

6. Schools with less than 50 pupils – According to theSchool Review Policy, schools in this category will be review – Cilcennin with a possible 30 in September 2014 is already at risk. It is more than likely that Felinfach (there is some confusion with your figures across the various tables, see Actual Pupil data as at 2nd December 2013. I will be interested to see which figures are correct and trust you will advise me in due course?) with a projected 50 in September 2014 would also be at risk if just one pupil did not attend.

This leaves Myfenydd and Ciliau Parc. Myfenydd with ‘adequate’ leadership leaves an uncomfortable feeling which together with the distance to be travelled makes it a difficult option.

Ceredigion County Council’s School Review Policy states that: “The following evaluation criteria provide a framework for change and transformation, and in formulating the programme of schools to be subject to review, the following criteria will be applied:

enter into partnership with other schools to ensure their sustainability; where headteachers have a teaching

commitment.”

The provision available in a particular area will need to be taken into account when applying the criteria.

Pupil numbers change from day to day. The PLASC data is the annual census undertaken on a specific date in January each year. The data for 2nd December 2013 was included in the consultation document as this was the most up-to-date

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Ciliau Parc –…a group of parents from both Trefilan and Ciliau met to see how this integration would affect all parties involved. It appears that there is a good deal of apprehension amongst the Ciliau Parc parents who feel that their school facilities , which are already at full stretch, would not be able to cope if the number of pupils from Trefilan transferred. But as it seems that there is only space for 5* or 10* more pupils at Ciliau Parc (depending on which table is correct) how will those places be allocated?

figures available. PLASC 2014 data for Trefilan is noted under O1-3 above and projected pupil numbers under section N4-9 ‘Capacity.’

Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.. Places will be allocated in line with the Council’s School Admission Policy (See N 10 -14 above)

P. Church/ Religion

1. Being a Church School, Trefilan has a character andethos to offer which is distinctive from other schools in the area.

It is acknowledged that Trefilan is the only VC School within the Aeron Valley area. However, should parents wish to send their children to a school offering the same Church in Wales status as that being provided at Trefilan VC Primary School, Llanwenog Voluntary Aided (VA) School (located 11miles from Trefilan) and Myfenydd Voluntary Controlled (VC) Primary School (Located 9 miles from Trefilan) can accommodate the pupils subject to parental preference. 2. Trefilan is a church school and the vicar has always gone

into the school regularly to take assemblies and the children have assembly in the church as well as the services and dramatic productions that take place in there. This is very important to the school and the church and local communities. This will be lost forever if the only local church school is closed (x4) 3. One should not forget that Trefilan is a Church in WalesSchool. 4. How will the character of their church education beretained? (x2) 5. One exception would be the Church School atLlanwenog which would meet the parents ‘preference for their children to continue in a Faith School. That school however is due to merge into the new area school for Drefach. Whilst that does not constitute a closure if would nevertheless necessitate the children from Trefilan having to move twice. If it does not prove possible for Trefilan to continue in the long term I would advocate in the strongest

The new School in Drefach will be a Voluntary Controlled (VC) School and is proposed to open in September 2015. The final decision on the closure of Trefilan VC school will be made by Council in July 2014. It will be up to the Councillors to decide whether they would be willing to allow Trefilan VC School to remain open until the new area School in Drefach opens.

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terms possible that it be enabled to continue until the new V C School becomes available at Drefach. That would enable all children to move in one go. 6. it concerns me that the recommendation for closure wasmade with seemingly little regard to its status as a church school, and the geography of the ‘neighbouring’ church schools. The nearest ones are up in Llanrhystud and the school of Drefach and Llanwenog, soon to be subjected to a move themselves. Other neighbouring schools lack the denomination character of Trefilan. In short, parental preference will be curtailed.

The School Review Panel was aware that Trefilan VC Primary is a church school.

Two of the alternative schools offered are Voluntary Aided or Voluntary Controlled schools which would ensure continuous denominational education to the pupils of Trefilan and therefore parental preference will not be curtailed. According to the WG School Organisation Code (2013): “where a school closure …is proposed: The nature of journeys to alternative provision and resulting journey times for pupils…whether primary school pupils will have one-way journeys in excess of 45 minutes…”

Trefilan is a VC Primary School (not a VA). This is an error in the Impact Assessment document.

7. I believe that Trefilan is a VC Church school, but manytables show it as VA in the Impact Assessment. It would be very detrimental to the pupil’s education and moral development if the only local church school was closed. No one will send their children 11 miles to Llanwenog. 8. I am strongly against closure, until …the school they willbe moved to has an attachment to the Church in Wales. 9. I also agree with your department’s statement in thedocument, that the closure of the only church schools in the local area would have a detrimental effect. I know that the intrinsic Christian values that are evident in the teaching, and in the behaviour of all members of the school are valued by the parents and children, and this must be considered of importance when considering school closures. The options for church schools offered as accepting schools however are totally unacceptable… 10. We all recognise the excellent academic standards thatare in place and from reading the documents, I cannot understand how the moving of children to other local schools that do not have exactly the same provision, results or connection to the Church in Wales can be anything than detrimental to their education. Can you explain how the Education Authority can justify this closure before there is a

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suitable alternative provision please? 11. Clarification on the Church in Wales’ view on theproposed closure, at least as part of the process. In correspondence to the Council, Canon Bryan Witts of the Diocese states : ‘I can confirm that the Diocese is satisfied that the procedure to review the school is being carried out in accordance with the Welsh Government Regulations.’ Could you confirm whether the Diocese is satisfied with the outcome, i.e. the recommendation of closure?

The letter received during the consultation period with the church, held between 1 November to 28 November 2013, indicates that the Canon Bryan Witts was satisfied with the procedure to review the school. Furthermore, in line with the School Organisation Code (2013) a copy of the Consultation Document and Impact Assessment was sent to the Church of Wales Diocesan Authority.

12. Trefilan school children regularly take part in the churchservice and assemblies which is very important to us and the local community. The nearest accommodating church school for us would be Llanwenog. How am I supposed to take my children to school in the morning and get to work in Aberystwyth by 9am?

Free transport will be provided in line with the Council’s School Transport Policy (see L‘Transport/ travelling’ section above).

13. Trefilan is also unique in its position as a church school.A number of us … have been questioned on how an education in a church schools is so different to an education in another community primary school and if we are really there for our own beliefs or not. … No matter what my personal beliefs are, I very much value the input of the church in our school as it creates a community spirit and instils values in our children that in this day and age might be lacking otherwise. It goes way beyond the teaching of any particular religion, but gives the children a greater understanding and appreciation of the world, especially under the guidance of an excellent vicar like Reverend Matthew Hill.

Comment noted.

14. The nearest church school is over 9 miles away This is correct. However, it does not contravene the WG School Organisation Code (see P6-8above)

15. Contrary to the claim that there is a neutral impact fromclosing Trefilan on religion and belief, there would be a significant rise in closing the only church school. Denominational education would be lost and the pupils

The impact would be neutral should parents choose to send their children to Myfenydd VC or Llanwenog VA Primary Schools and therefore continue with denominational education.

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would be denied the strong Christian ethos that permeates all the teaching , relationships and behaviour in the school, and the regular act of worship led by the vicar, in the school and in the church next door. 16. The strong links that the school has with local churchmust be maintained when it eventually becomes part of an area school. Parents greatly appreciate the Christian ethos of the school and they send their children to Trefilan because of this. The children through their many activities – music, literature, crafts etc. unconsciously develop asense of belonging in a community, an understanding of others and a spiritual awareness. The parents are concerned that = The upheaval of moving schools more than once – their formative years, they will lose some of this awareness.

There is no evidence to show that school moves have a detrimental effect on pupils (See B3 under ‘Pupil Welfare- School Moves’ section).


17. As a member of Trefilan Church I feel strongly that mychild should attend a Church School and the nearest ones you would offer are over 9 and 11 miles away, one of them with limited amount of reception places and the other to be closed when Drefach opened in January 2016.

The offer of Myfenydd VC and Llanwenog VA as alternative Schools does not contravene the WG School Organisation Code (see P6-8 above) which states that one-way journeys must not be in excess of 45 minutes. Ultimately, parents are able to choose which school they wish to send their children.

It is acknowledged that there is limited capacity in Myfenydd VC and Llanwenog VA.

18. The parents and grandparents and children, value veryhighly the fact that Trefilan is a church school that teaches Christian values in everyday life of the school. The close relationship between the school, vicar, church family and local community is very important. If the only church school were to close, the pattern of church festivals and services that the children participate in would be lost forever, and be a detrimental event in their lives. The options for other

As noted in P6-8 above, the offer of Myfenydd VC and Llanwenog VA as alternative Schools does not contravene the WG School Organisation Code which states that one-way journeys must not be in excess of 45 minutes. Ultimately, parents are able to choose whether they wish to send their children to these schools.

In line with the School Transport Policy, free transport will be provided to children 5

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church schools are wholly inappropriate for the large group of four year olds who would have to travel unaccompanied by an adult and, until they are 5, uninsured, for distances ranging between 9 and 11 miles each way.

years and over; and under 5 subject to there being a spare seat and parental agreement. The contracted bus company is required to risk assess the journey in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. It is up to parents to decide which school they wish to send their children and whether they wish to take up the offer of free transport.

The principle purpose of a school is to educate pupils to the best standards possible. It is not reasonable to expect schools and pupils to carry the wider burden of the impact of non-educational issues.

Q. Financial:

1. The children will cost money to be educated whereverthey are and I think that by the time they are transported to another school, and empty school goes back to the family who gave the land and money to build it, there will not be much money saved. There are probably ways to save money in Trefilan if it stays open. (x4)

The net savings after allowing for the cost of educating the children elsewhere and of transporting them is the saving that has been included in the consultation documentation (£59,846).

2. It is hard to argue the saving of £2,100 per pupil givingan annual total of £31,000. However your biggest potential saving shows £60,000 for the year and double the educational saving. How can you possibly estimate this when the pupils destination has not been ascertained? The strongest reason for the status quo is you are keeping this be sending them to another school who’s future is also uncertain. Until you can prove figures on transport saving and give a long term permanent destination, let them blossom in their caring environment rather than being sent to the lion’s den!


3. For now schools above 50 are safe but for how long?We have been told repeatedly that this year CCC have committed to a saving of £9 million, a further £9 million the following year and £4 million in the 3rd year. I would predict that for schooling this would mean all schools under 90+ closing within 3 years. For any educational security at all we would have to send our children to one of the larger

The current School Review Policy states that: “The following evaluation criteria provide a framework for change and transformation and, in formulating the programme of schools to be subject to review, the following criteria will be applied:

enter into partnership with other schools to ensure their sustainability;

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primary schools in the area. Most of these are already fit to burst; still to be built; or waiting for £350,000’s worth of roof repairs.

where headteachers have a teaching commitment.”

Ceredigion County Council has already announced the budget for 2014/15 and the anticipated savings. The Council has a mid-term financial Strategy 2013/14 to 2015/16.

4…the alternatives are not suitable for the reason of travel costs and the educational levels of attainment.

The net savings figure shown in the consultation document, after taking account of transport costs, demonstrates the suitability of the alternatives from the travel perspective, whilst 4 of the alternative locations offered provide an equivalent level of educational attainment to Trefilan.

5. Where is the funding coming for to carry future infants allover the place. How does all this carrying fit in the “green” Council policy?

The costs of transporting pupils to the alternative schools have been offset against the proposed savings of closing the school.

The Sustainable Development Commission estimates that 41% of the national schools’ carbon footprint is related to emissions from the use of heat and power in school buildings while only 17% is from transport.

The above statement supports an overall saving in relation to our Carbon Footprint due to the inefficiency of the current school. This would have a positive overall impact on the environment in line with the Authority’s Carbon Management Plan 2012/2013 – 2016/2017.

6. Given that Ysgol Trefilan is a Church in Wales School, Iunderstand that the Authority would look into transporting children 9 miles or more in order to provide them with a Church in Wales Education, in accordance with their parents’ preferences. Would this not raise questions regarding the safety of transporting 4 year olds along busy and dangerous country roads at the most hectic times of day? How much would this cost?

The net savings after allowing for the cost of educating the children elsewhere and of transporting them is the saving that has been included in the consultation documentation (£59,846).

In line with the Council’s School Transport policy, free transport will be provided to children 5 years and over, and under 5 subject to there being a spare seat and parental agreement. The contracted bus company is required to risk assess the journey in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. It is up to parents to decide which school they wish to send their children and whether they wish to take up the offer of free transport. Pupil safety has been noted in K. Road Safety above.

R. Welsh:

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1. The PLASC data for the national identity of Trefilan pupilsis inaccurate. There are no children in Trefilan school who cannot converse in Welsh – your data states that 6% cannot speak Welsh. The table of achievement rates for the Welsh language is incorrect – National Curriculum Assessment results at KS2 are all 100%. All these incorrect data could affect the impact assessment.

Data on the home/spoken Welsh of pupils is collected as part of the annual census undertaken in January each year (PLASC) and is categorised into one of the following:

- Speak Welsh fluently at home - Do not speak Welsh at home but are fluent - Speak Welsh at home but not fluently - Does not speak Welsh at home and not fluent - Cannot speak Welsh

This information was collated from the school in January 2013 and notes that 6% of pupils cannot speak Welsh.

The PLASC data provided by the school for January 2014 shows that 11% of pupils cannot speak Welsh.

2…every child in the school is able to converse in Welsh. Your data shows that 6% cannot speak Welsh.

3. Welsh is not taught in some of the accommodatingschools to the same standard of education attainment at Trefilan, which would mean that closure would contravene the department’s policy or giving equal or better education provision to the pupils.


Provision for Welsh in all schools is good. However, individual pupils who are latecomers to the Welsh language have impacted on some school’s data. The variable sizes of cohorts again impacts on data.


School Foundation Phase LCW (Welsh) (%) [Rankings]

Trefilan 100 [=1] Ciliau Parc 100 [=1] Cilcennin 100 [=1]

4…the mix of pupils has become much more diverse in culture and language – more diverse than any of the other schools in the document – and yet Welsh is taught so well that all pupils, whatever their home language, go on to secondary school, able to learn through the medium of Welsh and continue to use the language in their later employment. The attainment levels in Welsh are something that cannot be matched in every school and therefore, closure of Trefilan school at the time, with no one local school being able to accommodate all the pupils together, would lead to much poorer outcomes in Welsh for some children. Surely this is a strong and valid reason to keep Trefilan open in the heartland of the Welsh language. 5. The data shows that Welsh is not taught to the sameattainment levels in some of the accommodating schools. All the children, whether they are from Welsh or English

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homes, leave Trefilan speaking and using Welsh fluently – I know this from having worked in the school for many years – they continue their studies in Welsh at secondary schooland use it in their employment afterwards.

Felinfach 100 [=1] Myfenydd 77.3 [6] Llanwenog 100 [=1]

The 3 year average data for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Trefilan, Llanwenog and Myfenydd in Welsh at Key Stage 2 is as follows: School Key Stage 2 Welsh (%) [rankings] Trefilan 75 [5] Ciliau Parc 84 [3] Cilcennin 60 [6] Felinfach 100 [1] Myfenydd 78.3 [4] Llanwenog 88.2 [2]

The Estyn report “School Size and educational effectiveness – December 2013” states that “at key stage 2, the percentage of pupils achieving the expected level in Welsh is higher in larger schools.”

6. Contravention of the Department’s Policy of giving equalor better educational provision will occur as some of the accommodating schools do not attain Trefilan’s high standards in both Welsh and other core subjects.

S. Area School:

1. Parents and Governors… are very concerned at the lackof stability for their children, that a move from Trefilan will necessitate a move to another school, which in turn could close if a newly formed area school is due to be created in the Aeron Valley in due course.

Discussions on an area school for the Aeron valley date back as far as 2007, where the majority of the area was strongly against the idea. The situation was revisited in 2010 – again not everyone in the area wanted this, certain groups of people had different views, but the majority were against. When these discussions were taking place, there were funds available. Bro Sion Cwilt and T. Llew Jones supported the idea of the area school and have such area schools in place.

An area School for the Aeron valley has been included under Band C of the 21st Century Schools Programme. Llandysul 3-19 School was included in Band A and is scheduled to open in September 2016. It is therefore highly unlikely that a new school will be built in the Aeron Valley in the next 5 to 6 years and that therefore by the time that the new school opens, all pupils currently attending Trefilan VC

2. Please keep the school open until an area school is built.3. The proposal that the school should become part of afederation, before it is absorbed into a new area school, in four to five years’ time, is unreasonable. Surely more security and stability for the young children would be attainable by keeping the school open until the area school is built. The creating of a federal school with the cost of reorganisation and transport is not justified.

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4. If the LEA is going to work on an area school for theAeron Valley strong support will be needed and a proposal of this kind would be much easier to achieve if the communities could see evidence of the education departments good intentions and willingness to consider individual situations and respond to those.

Primary will be in the Secondary sector.

The final decision on the future of the school will be made by Council in July 2014.

5. Why not keep the little schools open until you build this‘Superschool’ which I’m sure is coming! 6. I’m absolutely certain that savings can be made thatwould allow Trefilan to stay open until plans are activated to build a 21st century school in Dyffryn Aeron. 7. Until an area school is provided, every effort should bemade to ensure that education is available at Trefilan School as these children are the future of Ceredigion and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the best educational start that they are entitled to. 8. I don’t think that the children should be moved at allduring their primary years, but if an area school is built everyone in Dyffryn Aeron should be prepared to move their children to a better building and larger groups of children of the same age being taught together. 9. The current proposals should be working on a long termviable solution both with regards to education and finances. If the proposals were to go ahead in its current form no positive outcomes could be anticipated. For children from Trefilan V. C. Primary School the educational impact would be immediate and most probably there would be children in some of the accommodating schools that would be affected by the large influx of newcomers, too. But my worry is for the future of the Aeron Valley, if those proposals were to go ahead I feel any support for an area school would be lost. Nobody from the closed schools or accommodating schools would want further unsettlement for their children. As you explained at our meeting, you believe the area school would not come until all current pupils would have left for

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secondary school, however the planning and the discussions would still take places with parents who’s children have already been unsettled once and further to that might have younger siblings who they do not want to go through the same. Trefilan V. C. Primary was the first and only school to support an area school when it was first brought up for discussion and at this stage we are still in full support of it, however if my children were to be moved now I would not be able to support an area school any longer for fear of further school closures and unsettlement. At this present stage we have 5 schools, 3 of which would definitely support an area school and 1 which would most probably support area school. If all of the current proposals were to go ahead, we might be left with 3 schools, 2 of which would now be in an even stronger position to object to an area school and also a whole host of parents that would then object due to their own personal experiences. 10. There must be ways of savings, and reduction of sparecapacity in Trefilan School can be made, over the period of time until an area school or other viable alternative in the local area is available…. An area school could presumably be a designated church school, and would be strongly supported by the diocese, represented by the Revd. Bryan Witt, Diocesan director of Education.

The capacity has been calculated based on the area of the 2 classrooms within the school. The only way that spare capacity of the school could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased.

The new Area School in Drefach will be a Voluntary Controlled school, which is a continuation of the denomination of Llanwenog VA Primary, despite Cwrtnewydd and Llanwnnen Schools being non-denominational.

When and if discussions take place on a new Area School in the Aeron Valley, consideration could possibly be given to the area school being a church school. This would be dependent upon the strength of feeling between all the schools that will be involved in the area school. However, it is highly unlikely that a new Area School would come to the Aeron Valley until at least 2020.

11. When the positive and negative aspects of a new areaschool are properly considered there are no disadvantages: - there is money available if there was the will to proceed and it would be indefensible if, once again, the process was

Comment noted.

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stopped. A category “A” building with modern equipment and a strong governing body that would oversee the maintenance/ improvement of educational standards of all the joining schools by encouraging peer observations and assessments and training opportunities, which would achieve something that the Education Department could be proud of for many years to come and underpin the excellence that Estyn has recently recognised in Ceredigion. 12. Would it not be possible to federalise with some of thelocal schools until an area school is established?

The advantages and disadvantages of federation have been outlined in the Consultation Document.

Under the existing structure there are headteachers in Ciliau Parc, Felinfach and Cilcennin Schools (with Dihewyd in an informal federation with Cilcennin i.e. shared head teacher). Creating a federation between the schools within the Aeron Valley at this point, would have HR implications and significant redundancy costs.

13. Would it not be possible to look into the formation of afederation with some local schools? This would save considerable money during the 6 year period leading up to the establishment of an area school, by working in partnership under one governing body (ensuring the necessary number of Church in Wales representatives) that would manage the finances of the merged schools and meet the aspirations of parents who wish to give their children a Church in Wales Education, without the inconvenience and cost implications of a 9 mile trip.. 14. Our fundamental argument is that the analysis putforward even in the Authority’s own document leads us logically towards a completely different conclusion, i.e. that an Aeron Valley Federation should be formed in accordance with the Regulations set out by the Welsh Government in 2010, as amended by the Government in 2012, in order for Local Authorities to have more powers to facilitate the creation of such federations. 15. We believe that the brief analysis provided in theconsultation document would logically lead to the formation of an Aeron Valley Federation of 4 or 5 primary schools. According to this model, every school would retain its identity (including the Church in Wales character of Ysgol

It would not be feasible to have one Governing Body and 4 head teachers within the Aeron Valley, and it would be difficult to sustain. It would not result in net financial savings.

Alternatively, moving to have one headteacher within the Aeron Valley at this point

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Trefilan), but would become part of a single Federal Governing Board under joint leadership initially, with the possibility of the Board moving towards one headship when the circumstances permitted this. Every school would still receive a delegated budget; however a Federal Governing Board would amalgamate the budgets in order to rationalise funds across the entire federation. We offer the following reasons for favouring this type of model: (a) it would give the schools of the Aeron Valley some certainty for the future since the other three schools within the area would be under threat by 2018 due to overcrowding. (b) Education can be maintained within the communities with the support of those communities to the educational process, thus avoiding the dispersal of children to various locations. (c) It is a very flexible model since the Federal Governing Body will be able to vary the capacity of the schools in question year on year, in order to meet the needs of all children in the Aeron Valley. We would therefore like to respond to the claim within the document that, “Small schools are limited in their abilities to respond to fluctuations in pupil numbers by their school’s structural and teaching capacity”. (d) There would be immediate financial savings (by virtue of one governing body, joint administration and purchasing, not having to duplicate developments on all sites, etc) without there being any need for capital expenditure. (e) All the educational benefits referred to within the document (i.e. bringing children together in larger age groups, staff expertise) would be brought under the control of a Federal Governing Board. (f) This change could be implemented sooner than the Authority’s proposal due to the fact that an internal consultation would be required, rather than an external one (please refer to the Regulations of 2010 and 2012). On the other hand, the Authority’s timetable from now until September 2014 for the closure of Ysgol Trefilan is utterly unrealistic since parents need to be given a whole

would result in significant redundancy costs.

Federation does not provide schools with exemption from the Council’s School Review Policy i.e. if the school meets the criteria for review, it would be in the same situation as Trefilan VC and Dihewyd Primary Schools are currently at.

It is incorrect that there is requirement to give a full term’s notice to parents following the final decision. However, Section 54 of 2013 Act outlines the rights and conditions for appeals as stated in the WG School Organisation Code (2013).

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term’s notice following the FINAL decision (there is no time to do this) and Trefilan parents must be given the opportunity to exercise their right to appeal to the Church in Wales. 16. In accordance with the Government’s guidelinesregarding school reorganisation (2009), Local Authorities must evaluate all other options before proposing to close a school and must detail their reasons for discounting other options within the documents that form the basis of any consultation. There is no evidence that the Review Committee (at a meeting in September 2013) or the Authority itself (according to this document) have made any effort whatsoever to carry out any such meaningful evaluation. The section “Options Considered” briefly refers to the “status quo”, an “Area School” (discounted due to lack of finance) and “a federation”. The 3 brief sentences that seek to explain the rationale for discounting the latter option are shamefully inadequate and the proposal to close the school, due to the failure to consider in earnest any such alternative option, must be rejected. This highlights the fundamental weakness of the “evaluation” of the “federation” option – (a) The 3 counter arguments put forward are that a federation would not deal with the issue of surplus places and pupil numbers, and that it would “be difficult to sustain the situation and there would be potential duplication of resources”. These issues are not unique to Trefilan; however they could be used by the Authority as grounds for not considering the federation option under any circumstances, contrary to Government guidelines. (b) The claim that pupil numbers are falling is in stark contrast to the Authority’s own figures. The table on page 10 demonstrates that pupil numbers at the four Aeron Valley schools will have increased from 138 in 2009 to 202 in 2018 according to the Council’s own projections, which is a sharp increase of 46%. In addition, the few pupils who joined us

The Overarching Policy which has resulted in Trefilan VC Primary School being reviewed in the first instance is that it has satisfied the criteria of having less than 20 pupils in the school, as noted in the Council’s School Review Policy. The School Review Policy has been agreed by Council.

a). It is true to say that federation would not reduce any surplus places within the schools in the Aeron Valley. Further information on federation has been included in S12-15 above.

b). Pupil numbers in Trefilan VC Primary have fluctuated around the 20 mark and have averaged 19 for the past 6 years. During this period, pupil numbers have reduced twice. It has been acknowledged in the Consultation Document that there is limited capacity available at alternative schools. It has also been acknowledged that pupil projections are likely to increase – however, it is not anticipated to increase at a rate to that initially indicated. Further information on pupil numbers is available under ‘O. Pupil numbers,’ and further information on capacity is available under ‘N. Capacity.’

We refute the allegation that officers are deliberately over-filling schools in the Aeron Valley in order to strengthen the case for an area school. Both Trefilan VC Primary and Dihewyd Primary have been reviewed due to having less than 20 pupils at the school at PLASC 2013. PLASC pupil numbers for 2014 also show that numbers have remained below 20 – 19 for both schools. An Area school has been included as part of the Band C WG 21st century mechanism which will not commence until 2020 at the very earliest.

c). The WG School Organisation Code (2013) states that the consultation must include the following:

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due to the closure of one small school make up only a small proportion of this increase. According to the Council’s figures, the capacity of the 4 schools (including Trefilan) is 220 for these 202 pupils, and the 9% surplus capacity falls easily within the limits recommended by ESTYN. In closing Ysgol Trefilan, there would only be 180 places available for the 202 pupils (not to mention any unexpected increase). It would be far more responsible to consider the capacity of Ysgol Dihewyd also, in order to ensure a sufficient provision for the pupils of the Aeron Valley within 4 years. Indeed, the proposal to close Ysgol Trefilan is so irresponsible that many of us suspect Officers of attempting to overfill the schools of the Aeron Valley in order to strengthen the case in favour of their preferred option of imposing upon us a central Area School. This therefore poses a danger to the other 3 schools within the Valley. (c) It is also wholly unacceptable that this so-called evaluation of options should be written in such an unprofessional manner, with ambiguous references to “federalisation”, without there being any reference to specific models. There is no effort here to explain the implications of federalisation according to the 2010 Regulations. Indeed, to the contrary, Ceredigion Officers have consistently mislead local schools and communities by referring to the loose collaboration between 2 small schools under one headship as a “federation”, although this, legally speaking, is completely inaccurate. As the 2010 Regulations point out, a federation can include anything from 2 to 5 schools, and can also include a secondary school. It is therefore obvious that there are a number of potential federation models in this case, and that absolutely no attempt has been made to explain or evaluate these models, since this is not the agenda of County Officers. We are convinced that no Judicial Review would conclude that the Authority had evaluated all the options at its disposal, in

“a detailed description of the status quo setting its strengths and weaknesses and the reasons why change is considered necessary; A description of any alternatives considered and the reasons why these have been discounted.”

The consultation document does include a ‘detailed description’ of the status quo and a ‘description’ of any alternatives considered and the reasons why these have been discounted.

The ultimate decision with regard to the options and future of Trefilan VC school will be a Council decision. Information has been provided in the initial consultation document; parents and the community have been given an opportunity to respond to the consultation; and Councillors will be provided with the responses and this report (Consultation Report).

The final decision will be made by Council in July 2014.

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accordance with Government guidelines; however, it is well known that parents and the local community lack the resources to seek such a review. They are therefore dependent on the conscientious efforts and the willingness of elected Councillors to act fairly to ensure justice and reject this proposal. We therefore call on Ceredigion Councillors to instruct Officers to enter into discussions with individual governing bodies with a view to establishing a federation and to reject the proposal to close Ysgol Trefilan. T. Process/ decision/ Policy:

1…the information about the school should not be gathered by people who have a vested interest in the outcome. Deciding the future of the schools should not be decided by the Council who have a vested interest in closing schools, hospitals and public transport for the own agender for the benefit of themselves not the community not the people and most certainly not the children.

A cross-section of officers have been involved in the creation of the Consultation Document and Impact Assessment including School Improvement Officers (standards), Finance Officers (financials), estates (land and building), data unit (pupil numbers and projections), HR (staff implications), transport unit, and admissions.

The following sources of information have been used for the purpose of the Impact Assessment document:

Impact Assessment Questionnaire returned by the headteacher of theaffected schools (6 schools)

PLASC January 2013 data Statistical data stored by Ceredigion County Council Learning Services Census Information Office for National Statistics

The WG School Organisation Code (2013) states that is does not consider that it is necessary to commission Impact Assessments from external consultants.

The School Review team has a duty to ensure that Councillors are provided with accurate and most up-to-date information on the individual schools in order to base their decision on the future of the schools.

The Council is made of 42 Councillors who have been elected by Ceredigion

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residents to represent their views. The Council’s remit does include education and transport but does not include hospitals, which is managed by the Hywel Dda Health Board.

2…being in the review process itself is fair enough, we have fallen below the figure of 20 but by the time we reach the end of the review, we will be back up to 20 for the foreseeable future; therefore being in line with County Council Policy – that should be the end of it.

Ceredigion County Council’s School Review Policy states that: “The following evaluation criteria provide a framework for change and transformation, and in formulating the programme of schools to be subject to review, the following criteria will be applied:

enter into partnership with other schools to ensure their sustainability; where headteachers have a teaching

commitment.”

Trefilan V C Primary School was initially reviewed due to pupil numbers at PLASC 2013 being below 20. Pupil numbers at PLASC 2014 have remained at 19 pupils. However, it is anticipated that pupil numbers will increase to 20 by September 2014 (3 admissions received and 2 pupils leaving in year 6), but the school will still satisfy the criteria of being a school with fewer than 50 pupils.

3. There is mention of the fact that it is policy to review thefuture of any school when pupil numbers fall to below 20. Nevertheless, the Authority’s own table clearly shows that there will be 20 pupils enrolled at the school on the date of its proposed closure (September 2014).

4… there seem to be no valid reasons for proposing a closure. I understand that the school is in this review due to numbers; however the Welsh Government only requires schools under 10 pupils on the January PLASC count to close. Ceredigion County Council’s policy states that schools under 20 pupils should be reviewed with a view to closure, so I understand why a review needed to take place, however it is clear that Trefilan will have 20 pupils for the foreseeable future, so there would be no reason to close this school under current council policy. Further to that, the “view to closure” does not mean that no other factors should be taken into consideration; in fact all school closures should be to “improve educational provisions and outcomes for learners”. 5. I believe it was Rudolf Steiner who declared that Comments noted.

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politicians should never be in charge of Education. How right was he? Leave education to the Teachers and stop killing these small schools with repeated threats of closure, you will single handedly kill the future of Welsh culture and it’s rich tapestry of Folklore, left instead with a diluted wishy washy Welshness. 6. You have a very special opportunity here to orchestratesomething completely innovative that the rest of Wales has not thought of yet. I would urge you to find the long-term answer here. Making short snappy decisions that look good on paper, will not ease the financial difficulties the county faces, finding it truly sustainable solution sometimes means finding a lot of courage, determination and commitment. Who else can provide this but you, Mr. Evans?

Ceredigion County Council continues to be innovative in its vision for education – provision within the primary sector is centred around single schools, area schools, and informal federated schools of two, three and four schools. Ceredigion has the first 3-19 school in Wales (Bro Pedr) and is well on its way to establishing the first ‘purpose-built’ 3-19 school in Wales (Llandysul).

Since 2009, the number of schools in the county has reduced from 75 to 58. The number of headteachers has reduced from 83 in September 2006 to 43 by September 2013.

This has been achieved by implementing a long-term vision for education in the county.

U. Economic:

1. They are rural children living in a rural county, needing tolearn a balance of Rural Skills and Educational Practise. Invest in your children and at the time invest in your county. As the children grow up they will be more likely to stay in the county as they will have the resources to do so, not leave in search of jobs leaving the county to the old folk.

Education is a high priority for the Council as demonstrated in its strategic plans. The Council’s Strategic Objectives include: “Ceredigion County Council achieves the best learning outcomes and provides education and training tailored to meet the needs of those seeking career opportunities in the county.”

Significant allocation of the Council’s budget is spent on education. We are therefore already investing in the children of Ceredigion.

V. Other comments:

1. The education in Ceredigion has been reported recentlyto be one of the best in Wales, I’m sure this is down to the number of small schools that we still have compared to other counties, so why is Ceredigion submitting to the pressures from Cardiff to eliminate small schools, can’t we show them the way it should be done?

The Estyn Inspection on the Ceredigion Local Education Services for Children and Young People judged current performance to be excellent and prospects for improvement to be excellent. The following areas were considered:

Standards Wellbeing Support for school improvement Support for Additional Learning Needs and education inclusion

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Promoting social inclusion and wellbeing Access and school places Leadership Improving quality Partnership working Resource Management

Under ‘Access and School Places’, Estyn reported that: “the authority carefully reviews its primary schools in line with its policy and tailors solutions for sustainable schools that take good account of specific local issues. This has led to a significant reduction in the number of schools from 75, at the time of the last inspection in July 2009, to 58 currently….the authority had used the reorganisation process effectively to help raise pupils’ standards by improving the quality of provision and quality of leadership and management.”

2. In light of the above it is clear … that status quo shouldbe retained for Trefilan V. C. Primary School at this stage until the closure of Penuwch Campus and any other potential closures in the area have taken full effect and the real impact of this on remaining schools in this area can be assessed, both in terms of capacity and pupil numbers and also in respect of educational standards and outcomes.

The Penuwch campus will officially close at the end of the summer term 2014. Rhos Helyg - Rhos y Wlad Campus and Llangeitho Campus are the schools that have been offered as alternative schools. It is therefore unlikely that the closure of Penuwch will impact schools within the Aeron Valley.

Should the closure of Dihewyd Primary School be approved, there will likely be an impact on the schools in the Aeron Valley.

It is up to the Council to decide whether to proceed with the closure of Trefilan VC Primary school.

Alternative Options raised by consultees during consultation period:

1. Maintain the status quo for at least one year at which stage educational outcomes and actual pupil numbers in the Aeron Valley could bereassessed

2. Status quo to be maintained until the new VC Area School in Drefach opens

3. Status quo to be maintained until new Aeron Valley Area School is established

4. Federation between a). all schools/ b.) some schools in the Aeron Valley under one Governing Body

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Annex C

Action Group “Trefilan V C Primary School” Response to the Consultation document

Original Consultation document Action Group Response to the document CCC Response

1. The Proposal

a. Following a detailed review by the SchoolReview Panel on the 24th September where pupil numbers, school capacity, quality of the educational provision, school buildings and financial implications were considered, their recommendation was to discontinue provision at Trefilan Voluntary Controlled Primary School and due to the geographical location of Cilcennin Community Primary School, Ciliau Parc Community Primary School and Felinfach Community Primary School offer the three schools as alternative options for the pupils currently attending Trefilan Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

The original recommendation was made without considering that Trefilan V C Primary School is a Church School. Considering the distances and the lack of spaces in the only church school in the same secondary school catchment area the review panel might have come to a different recommendation.

The Review Panel were aware that Trefilan VC Primary is a church school.

b. In addition, should parents wish to sendtheir children to a school offering the same Church in Wales character as being provided at Trefilan Voluntary Controlled Primary School, Llanwenog Voluntary Aided School and Myfenydd Voluntary Controlled Primary School can accommodate the pupils subject to parental preference.

It will not be possible to accommodate pupils subject to parental preference as there are insufficient spaces in the only church school in the same secondary school catchment area.

It is acknowledged that there is limited capacity in the only church school in the same secondary school catchment area. There is more capacity in the other church school which would be in Bro Pedr catchment area.

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c. Increased number of staff expertise in a larger school environment – this will be reflected in improved planning and schemes of work, quality of provision and monitoring of subjects.

A larger school or more staff does not automatically lead to more staff expertise. Trefilan has excellent staff with outstanding expertise.

According to the Estyn report “School size and educational effectiveness – December 2013”: “Curriculum provision is better in large primary schools. In small schools, there tends to be shortcomings in the provision of foundation subjects at key stage 2. These shortcomings differ from schools to school, but are often linked to gaps in the expertise of staff;

In large and medium-sized primary schools, it may be more likely that staff have a wider range of curriculum for the pupils. There may also be more opportunities to share good practise between classes;

The quality of teaching is good or better in around 80% of primary schools of all sizes, except in very small primary schools (with 30 or fewer pupils) where the quality of teaching is good or better in 72% of schools inspected. This may reflect the greater challenge facing teachers in these very small schools as they have to teach a wide range of ages and abilities in the same class. In some instances, teachers in small primary schools teach three or four year groups in one class and it is difficult to ensure that the work meets the needs of each and every pupil.”

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d. Greater opportunity for learning with pupils of the same age

Age groups at the accommodating schools are only slightly larger and in some instances smaller. At Trefilan children have greater opportunities to learn, play and socialize with children of all ages, teaching them valuable life lesson as in later life you will not learn, work and compete with people of the same age group as yourself.

Age groups in the 5 schools offered as alternative schools are generally larger e.g. a year group can vary between 1 pupils to 12 pupils.

It follows that there will be greater opportunity for learning with pupils of the same age.

Pupils at all schools have opportunities to learn, play and socialize with children of all ages regardless of the size of the year group.

e. Improved opportunities for participating in social, cultural and sporting activities

There will not be improved opportunities for participating in social, cultural and sporting activities, because every child at Trefilan V.C. Primary School has the opportunity to participate in those activities already. Further to that due to the size of the school every child takes part in all activities and is not limited by the fact whether or not they are good or the best at something.

It could be argued that pupils in a larger school would be disadvantaged as only the best pupils would be able to participate in such events. However in a larger school, pupils would be given the opportunity to participate in events and competitions that they would not have been able to in a smaller school e.g. choir, football team, rounders, netball. Pupil numbers in a smaller school would not allow for such opportunities.

A report commissioned by the Welsh Government Rural Development Sub-committee (Nov 2008) concluded that “evidence from Professor David Reynolds suggested that …. children preferred the bigger schools, because they had more friends, there were more sports teams, and

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there were more facilities.” f. Increased opportunities to access links

with the wider community Trefilan V.C. Primary School and the children currently at the school have excellent access links to the wider community. They are part of the church, the community, several associations and organisations and take part in a whole host of clubs and after school activities in which they socialise well with other children and adults from all over Ceredigion and beyond.

Should the proposal to close Trefilan VC Primary school be approved and pupils move to alternative schools, it is likely that they will have links to the wider community due to encountering a more diverse range of pupils, staff and activities that they would not necessarily have been able to participate in due to being in a small school.

2. Risks associated with the proposal

a. A risk associated with the proposal is thedispersal of existing pupils to more than one Primary School due to parental choice.

The dispersal of pupils would not be due to parental choice but due to a number of factors beyond parents’ control; the main ones being educational standards, shortage of spare places in some of the accommodating schools and location (not all pupils would have the same new nearest school nor the same new nearest church school). There is no accommodating school offering the same Church in Wales character while at the same time offering equivalent or better educational provision within the area.

Parents would take into consideration the standards, location, denominational character of the school etc. amongst other factors and decide which school to send their child. It is acknowledged that there is limited capacity at some schools. Parents have been offered 5 schools as alternatives – 2 which are of the same denomination and 3 within the Aeron Valley.

Both the church schools offered as alternative schools offer equivalent educational provision.

b. Due to the location, the nearest provisionfor a Church School is 9 miles away. This will potentially have an effect on the continuation of denominational education in the area.

There is not a potential risk, but a fact. Closing the only church school in a 20 mile radius will be the discontinuation of denominational education in the area and will take away parents right to choose such education.

Two of the alternative schools offered are Voluntary Aided or Voluntary Controlled schools which would ensure continuous denominational education to the pupils of Trefilan, should they so wish.

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It is acknowledged that these schools are located between 9 and 11 miles from Trefilan. However, according to the WG School Organisation Code (2013): “where a school closure …is proposed: The nature of journeys to alternative provision and resulting journey times for pupils…whether primary school pupils will have one-way journeys in excess of 45 minutes…”

3. Options Considered – Status Quo

c. Disadvantage – Would not contribute toreducing surplus places

Advantage - Surplus places will be retained within the area it is clear that these will be needed within the next 5 years.

Disadvantage - Trefilan School’s capacity was increased disproportionally when a new formula to measure capacity was introduced. At no stage was anybody made aware that surplus places are a concern as Trefilan School has a number of ways it could decrease its own capacity within days and Trefilan School cannot be held responsible for other schools spare capacity.

Maintaining the status quo would not contribute to reducing surplus places. However, it is acknowledged that pupil numbers are projected to increase in the Aeron Valley. However, they are not anticipated to increase as much as initially projected (see Annex B N4-9 ‘Capacity’).


Originally in a school without a hall, the Authority (including Dyfed) would take out one class and ear-mark this class as a hall for the sake of calculating the capacity. The Welsh Government suggested that the

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classroom should be included within the capacity if it was used mainly as a classroom. This is the reason for the capacity increasing from 24 to 48.

In 2011, the new Welsh Government calculation spreadsheet suggested that the school had insufficient resource space for 48 pupils and recommended that the capacity should be reduced to 40. This was the reason for the capacity reducing from 48 to 40. The explanation was sent to theGoverning Body.

d. Disadvantage – Cost per pupil is £2,127over the average for Ceredigion

Advantage – Trefilan had a surplus of £14,175 last year and cost per pupils is not a true reflection of the cost of the school.

The cost per pupil of each school is calculated by dividing the school budget allocated for that particular financial year with the number of pupils (as at PLASC in January). It does not take into account the surplus of any school as it has been allocated to a school and cannot therefore be spent elsewhere. It is therefore a true reflection and fair for all schools.

e. Disadvantage – Contravenes CouncilPolicy which states that all schools under 20 pupils should be reviewed with a view to closure

Advantage – Trefilan has only briefly been under 20 pupils and increasing numbers are forecast for the next 5 years, so although the review is correct, closure would contravene council policy

Pupil numbers at Trefilan have fluctuated between 17 and 22 for the past 6 years, and have averaged 19 pupils during this period. Pupils numbers have been below 20 for 4 of the past 6 years. Ceredigion County Council’s School Review Policy states that:

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“The following evaluation criteria provide a framework for change and transformation, and in formulating the programme of schools to be subject to review, the following criteria will be applied: to move to close any schools wherenumbers fall below 20 pupils schools with 50 or fewer pupils will bereviewed, where appropriate, in order to enter into partnership with other schools to ensure their sustainability; to reduce the number of schools whereheadteachers have a teaching commitment.”

Trefilan V C Primary School was initially reviewed due to pupil numbers at PLASC 2013 being below 20. Pupil numbers at PLASC 2014 have remained at 19 pupils. However, it is anticipated that pupil numbers will increase to 20 by September 2014 (3 admissions received and 2 pupils leaving in year 6), but the school will still satisfy the criteria of being a school with fewer than 50 pupils.

4. Options Considered – New Area School

a. Disadvantage – Continuing fall in pupilnumbers with area projections not confirming a reverse in the trend

Advantage - Both the last 5 years and the 5 year projections are confirming a clear increase in pupil numbers and a requirement for places.

Past 5 years Pupils numbers in Trefilan, Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach schools have increased from 138 pupils (PLASC 2009) to 175 pupils

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(PLASC 2013):

2013 2009 Inc./dec.

Trefilan 17 18 ↓6%

Cilcennin 42 19 ↑120%

Ciliau Parc

65 54 ↑20%

Felinfach 51 47 ↑9%

This is mainly due to Pennant School closing during 2009, with pupils transferring to Cilcennin school, representing a 120% increase in pupils from PLASC 2009 to 2013.

During the same period, pupil numbers in Trefilan VC has decreased by 6%.

Maintaining the status quo would not contribute to reducing surplus places.

Future Projections However, it is acknowledged that pupils numbers are projected to increase in the Aeron Valley. However, they are not anticipated to increase as much as initially projected (see Annex B – N4-9 Capacity).

b. Additional travelling time for some pupils Advantage - Significantly less travelling time than The area school would cater for pupils from

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the current proposals. Dihewyd, Ciliau Aeron, Cilcennin, Felinfach and Trefilan and therefore a significant amount of pupils will therefore be required to travel further to get their education as there will be one large catchment area for the Aeron Valley, rather than the 5 schools at present.

5. Options considered - Federation

a. Disadvantage – Would not addresscontinuing fall in pupil numbers in the area

Advantage - Both the last 5 year and the 5 year projections are confirming a clear increase in pupil numbers and a requirement for places

Pupils numbers in Trefilan, Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc and Felinfach schools have increased from 138 pupils (PLASC 2009) to 175 pupils (PLASC 2013):

2013 2009 Inc./dec.

Trefilan 17 18 ↓6%

Cilcennin 42 19 ↑120%

Ciliau Parc

65 54 ↑20%

Felinfach 51 47 ↑9%

This is mainly due to Pennant School closing during 2009, with pupils transferring to Cilcennin school, representing a 120% increase in pupils from PLASC 2009 to 2013.

During the same period, pupil numbers in Trefilan VC has decreased by 6%.

b. Disadvantage – Would not contribute to Surplus places will be retained within the area as it The capacity has been calculated based on

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reducing surplus places is clear that these will be needed within the next 5 years. If surplus places will not be required, schools can reduce their own spare capacity.

the area of the 2 classrooms within the school. The only way that surplus capacity of the school could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased (See Annex B - N

Capacity). c. All the above options have beendiscounted due to the disadvantages outweighing the advantages.

None of the above options have ever been fully explored and it is clear that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages on all options as most reasons given as disadvantages are not valid as confirmed by both National Statistics and the tables contained within this document.

The WG School Organisation Code (2013) requires that the consultation document includes ‘a description any alternatives considered and the reasons why these have been discounted.’

The Consultation Document satisfies this requirement.

d. In addition, there is no funding available atpresent to enable capital investment and the options would not address the surplus school places or the continuing fall in pupil numbers within the area.

Pupil numbers within the Aeron Valley are clearly increasing and this is confirmed by tables within this document as well as by the National Statistics. There are a number of surplus places, but at Trefilan V.C. Primary School these have only been created by the new calculation formula and nothing within the school had changed between 2010, 2011 & 2012.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Capacity

24 24 48 40 40

Trefilan V.C Primary School would have a number of easy ways to reduce their spare capacity within a short timeframe, but it had never been brought to anybody’s attention that spare capacity was a problem



In 2011, the new Welsh Government calculation spreadsheet suggested that the

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school had insufficient resource space for 48 pupils and recommended that the capacity should be reduced to 40. This was the reason for the capacity reducing from 48 to 40. The explanation was sent to theGoverning Body.

The capacity has been calculated based on the area of the 2 classrooms within the school. The only way that capacity of the school could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased.

6. The Consultation Period

a. This consultation commenced on 1st

November until the 28th November, and confirmation of the Diocesan agreement to the proposal was received and presented to Cabinet on the 17th December 2013.

The Council received and presented the Diocesan confirmation that they believe the review procedure was carried out in accordance with the Welsh Government regulations.

The letter received during the consultation period with the church, held between 1 November to 28 November 2013, indicates that the Diocesan Bryan Witts was satisfied with the procedure to review the school. Furthermore, in line with the School Organisation Code (2013) a copy of the Consultation Document and Impact Assessment was sent to the Church of Wales Diocesan Authority

7. Schools which may be affected by the

proposal

Due to the nature of the schools, in the majority of cases there will not be suitable walking routes to school.

Over 45% of pupils currently at Trefilan V.C. Primary School walk to school some of the time and during the Summer months

Comment noted.

8. Pupil Numbers

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School Name

Pupil Numbers December 2013

Pupil Numbers PLASC January 2013

Trefilan 15 17 Cilcennin 36 42 Ciliau Parc 52 65 Felinfach 54 51 Llanwenog 33 34 Myfenydd 78 85

December figures should not be compared to January PLASC figures. There is a clear increase in PLASC figures. Jan 2013 – 175 Jan 2010 – 158 Jan 2009 - 138

It is acknowledged that December figures should not be directly compared with PLASC figures (January). However, December figures have been included within the Consultation Document as these were the most up-to-date figures available.

9. Pupil Projections

Jan 2013 Jan 2018

Trefilan 17 23 4 ↑

Cilcennin 42 45 5 ↑

Ciliau Parc 65 72 5 ↑

Felinfach 51 62 5 ↑

TOTAL 19 ↑

Llanwenog 34 29 2 ↓

Myfenydd 85 131 31 ↑

The pupil projections for all schools are based on the average three year trend in pupil numbers and the average birth rate, which is estimated for the next 5 years. A steep increase/decrease in pupil numbers within this 3 year period can have a significant effect on the accuracy of the projections for the next 5 years, in particular in schools with relatively low numbers. Parents also have the choice of which schools to send their children and are not required to send their children to the nearest school. It must therefore be noted that there are inaccuracies in the projections of individual schools. However, primary age projections for Ceredigion are generally accurate (-1.4% variance in 2012 and -0.5% in 2013).

The table below shows the projected pupil

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numbers for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Dihewyd, Felinfach and Trefilan schools compared to the actual pupils numbers according to PLASC 2014:

Projected for 2014

Actual PLASC 2014

% Variance

Cilcennin 40 36 -10%

Ciliau Parc 67 55 -18%

Dihewyd 18 19 6%

Felinfach 57 56 -2%

Trefilan 19 19 0%

Myfenydd 100 82 -18%

Llanwenog 31 34 10%

Applying the percentage variance to the future projections for 2015 onwards provides a more accurate figure of projections:

2015 2016 2017 2018

Cilcennin 37 39 42 41

Ciliau Parc 58 58 53 59

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Dihewyd 20 20 23 22

Felinfach 57 58 60 61

Trefilan 20 20 21 23

Myfenydd 91 95 104 107

Llanwenog 32 32 30 32

This then gives an increase of 9 pupils within the Aeron Valley, which is a more accurate projection rather than the 19 initially projected.

10. Pupil Capacity Information

Capacity

Trefilan 40

Cilcennin 52

Ciliau Parc 68

Felinfach 60

Llanwenog 51

Myfenydd 91

Trefilan V.C. Primary School

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Capacity

24 24 48 40 40

Trefilan V. C. Primary School’s capacity was changed without anything in the school changing at all. Capacity could be reduced within a short timeframe, but it had never been brought to anybody’s attention that spare capacity was a problem.



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In 2011, the new Welsh Government calculation spreadsheet suggested that the school had insufficient resource space for 48 pupils and recommended that the capacity should be reduced to 40. This was the reason for the capacity reducing from 48 to 40. The explanation was sent to theGoverning Body.

The capacity has been calculated based on the area of the 2 classrooms within the school. The only way that capacity of the school could be reduced is if pupil numbers increased.

11. Actual Pupil Data as at 2 December2013

Schools Total

Cilcennin 22 Ciliau Parc 5 Felinfach 18 Llanwenog 19 Myfenydd 10

The above confirms that there will be capacity for 74 pupils in September 2014 between Cilcennin School, Felinfach School, Ciliau Parc School, Llanwenog V A School and Myfenydd VC School

It is clear from the above that the pupils from Trefilan V.C. Primary School could currently not be accommodated in a school with equivalent or higher educational standards nor the same church in Wales character.

Two of the three schools offered as alternative schools within the Aeron Valley have equivalent standards to Trefilan VC Primary, and both the schools offered as alternative church schools have equivalent standards to Trefilan VC Primary.

According to PLASC 2014 figures, 33 spare places are available in the Aeron Valley and 26 in the denominational schools:

School PLASC

2014

Capacity Spare

places

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Cilcennin 36 52 16

Ciliau Parc 55 68 13

Felinfach 56 60 4

Trefilan 19 N/A N/A

Dihewyd 19 N/A N/A

Aeron

Valley

33

Myfenydd 82 91 9

Llanwenog 34 51 17

Church

schools

26

12. Quality and Standards in EducationTrefilan V.C Primary School and the proposed accommodating Schools

There is need to add the following:

Latest Estyn Reports:

Trefilan Cilcennin Felinfach Ciliau Parc Llanwenog Myfenydd

KQ1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 2 KQ1: Good Grade 2 KQ1: Good

KQ2 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 2 Grade 3



These are the foundation phase and key stage 2 results of the 6 schools for 2012/13. The Key stage 1 results refer to 2010/11 results – Key Stage 1 was replaced by the Foundation Phase in 2011/12.

This data is based on percentages and does not take into account the variation in cohorts. This can vary from one child representing 100% to one child representing 8.3% i.e. 100% achievement would represent 1 child in

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Latest Educational Outcomes:

2012/13 Trefilan Cilcennin Felinfach Ciliau Parc

Llanwenog

Myfenydd

Foundation Phase Performance

Foundation Phase Indicator

FP05+ 100 100 100 100 100 83

Mathematical Development

FP05+ 100 100 100 100 100 83

Personal and social development, well-being and cultural diversity

FP05+ 100 100 100 100 100 100

Key Stage 1 Performance

Core Subject indicator

Level 2+

100 80 100 100 80 90

Mathematic Level 100 100 100 100 100 100

one school whilst representing 12 children in another.

According to the Estyn report “School Size and Educational Effectiveness – December 2013”:

“In small primary schools, where the number of pupils in each year group is frequently in single figures, meaningful comparisons about comparative performance can be more challenging”

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s 2+

Science Level 2+

100 100 100 100 100 100

Welsh as 1st Language

Level 2+

100 80 100 100 80 90

Key Stage 2 Performance

Core Subject Indicator

Level 4+

100 87 100 83 83 100

English Level 4+

100 87 100 83 83 100

Mathematics

Level 4+

100 87 100 83 83 100

Science Level 4+

100 87 100 83 83 100

Welsh as 1st language

Level 4+

100 62 100 83 83 100

13. Financial Information

Full year budget 2012/2013

£123,728,

Actual Expenditure 2012/2013

£118,265

Surplus/Deficit as at 31/3/13

£14,175 surplus

Number of pupils – October 2013

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Cost per pupil – 2012/13

£5,859

The table shows that there was a surplus of £14175, therefore the actual cost per pupils in 2012/13 was lower than £5859. The actual running costs of Trefilan V.C. Primary School have been significantly reduced due to the retirement of the head teacher and Trefilan V. C. Primary School instead now only funds a newly qualified teacher and 1 day for a shared head teacher covering the school, so more surplus could be achieved in the future, which would further lower the actual cost

The cost per pupil of each school is calculated by dividing the school budget allocated for that particular financial year with the number of pupils (as at PLASC in January). It does not take into account the surplus of any school as it has been allocated to a school and cannot therefore be spent elsewhere. It is therefore a true reflection and fair for all schools.

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Ceredigion Average cost per

pupil – 2012/13

£3,732 per pupil. Further to that the delegated school budget per pupil is not a reliable figure when assessing the actual cost per pupil as it only considers the budget allocated at the start of the school year and the pupil figure from the previous PLASC count and does not consider the actual pupil numbers throughout the year.

Detail Potential Savings/(Costs)

Savings based on 2012-13 formula

£89,096

Less:-

Estimated transport costs

-£29,250

Net Savings £59,846

The real transport costs would be significantly higher as not all children would be able to go to the same school, due to distances, different nearest accommodating and nearest accommodating church schools and the fact that there are children at the school that would require supervision and specialist transport due to SEN. Further to that, there would be a number of other costs, e.g. redundancies and additional support needed in other schools, that have not yet been taken into consideration.


There may be redundancy costs. However, should they occur, they will be one-off costs. They will not affect the long term financial viability of the proposal

14. Land and Buildings

No capital funding required to achieve the proposal and the capital receipt will be utilised for future investment to develop the 21st Century Education Programme.

School closures should be to improve education for the pupils now and not to generate money for future projects while provision is not maintained or improved in the meantime. Further to that, there seems to be legitimate reasons to believe that there will be no capital receipt for the council following the closure of Trefilan V.C. Primary School.

Ceredigion County Council’s Legal Team is currently looking into the matter.

15. Staffing Considerations

If the proposal is approved, the staffing Redundancies seem to be highly likely considering It has been acknowledged in the Consultation

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implications could lead to uncertainty and potential redundancies. As part of the consultation, discussions will take place specifically with staff and Union representatives and a guidance policy document entitled ‘Managing Staff in Schools’ – ‘Policy and Procedures for Handling Organisational Change – In Schools’ will provide the framework for those discussions.

the current proposed school closures and the aim to increase the teacher pupil ratio throughout the county.

Report that there may be redundancies. However, should they occur, they will be one-off costs. They will not affect the long term financial viability of the proposal.

Should there be redundancies, discussions will take place between Human Resources, staff and Union Representatives based on the staffing requirements of the schools and dispersal of pupils as outlined in the “Managing Staff in Schools – Policy and Procedure for Handling Organisational Change – in Schools (available on the Council Website:

http://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/Democratic_Services_Meetings_Public/Y%20Polisi%20ar%20Drefn%20ar%20gyfer%20Ymdrin%20a%20Newid%20Sefydliadol%20-%20mewn%20Ysgolion%20Policy%20and%20Procedure%20for%20Handling%20Organisati.pdf)

The Council has established a Redeployment protocol that all Schools have been asked to sign up to, this will allow prior consideration to be given by Governing Bodies to staff who are facing redeployment.

All staff will have a one to one redeployment meeting with HR staff to support their redeployment options and to discuss their wellbeing offering support and advice

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including the following:

Support to staff to look for other worke.g. by providing workshops oncreating CV’s, fake interviews etc.

Staff are provided with information onredeployment opportunities that maybecome available within the Council

Advice on funding available vianational initiatives

Offer counselling services to thosewho require support emotionally

16. Transport Arrangements

1. The pupils currently attending the schoolto be closed will be provided with transportto the new school if they live two miles ormore from the new school. This will alsoapply to siblings when they become of ageto attend the new school. It should benoted that this arrangement only applies tothose pupils where the school beingclosed is their nearest school. Where theschool is not the nearest school then freetransport will only be provided for theadditional distance the pupils have totravel to the new school.

2. For those new pupils (other than siblingsas indicated in 1 above) from the area ofthe closed school who will be attending thenew school, entitlement to free transportwill be in accordance with the Council’spolicy at that time. The current policy isthat pupils are eligible for free transport ifthey meet each of the following criteria:

The current transport policy states that children under 5 years old are not entitled to free transport, which means that more than 1/3 of pupils would not be entitled to free transport. If transport was available and parents would want their 4 year old child to use it, they would have to sign a form “accepting full responsibility and liability” for their child while unsupervised on the bus. Most parents would be unable to accept full responsibility and liability for their 4 year old child while not in their care and under supervision, so as a result only children from parents which sufficient fund and time would be able to attend a church school or an accommodating school further away.

After September 2014 no child from the local community would be ever able to receive free transport to a church school as the council’s policy clearly states that free transport can only be

The School Transport Policy states that free transport is provided for pupils of the minimum compulsory school age (i.e. 5) provided that they reside outside the statutory walking distance and not more than 8 miles from the school of religious denomination.

There is a caveat within the policy that allows discretion prior to any change being made to the policy. This could be used to authorise any deviation i.e. the discretion to allow pupils from Trefilan VC Primary to receive free transport to a church school could be implemented before the policy is actually formally updated.

Free transport will be provided to pupils under

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d. They are of compulsory school agee. They attend the nearest or the school

designated by the Councilf. They reside over the statutory walking

distance from the school of two miles

3. It should be noted: Distance is measured by the shortest

walking route between home and school(from the nearest council maintained roadto the property, to the nearest schoolentrance onto the school site).

Where contract or public passengervehicles are used then it is not alwayspossible to arrange the routes of vehiclesto pass close to the home of all pupils.Parents may therefore be required tomake their own arrangements for theirchildren to get to and from the nearest‘pick-up’ point of the vehicle. Every effortis made to keep this distance to aminimum and it should not exceed 1.5miles.

4. The actual transport arrangements will beknown as soon as a contractor isappointed and parents will be advisedaccordingly in relation to pick-up pointtimes etc.

provided to church schools less than 8 miles away.

Further consideration needs to be given to transport arrangements beyond primary school age as if these proposals were to go ahead, there would be children that would not need to be split from their peers when starting secondary school and returning to their own catchment area or the council would have to make commitments to continue to provide free transport to a secondary school of their choice until all children and siblings of those children affected by this proposal have left school.

5 if spare seats are available and subject to parental agreement i.e. signing a form. The contracted bus company is required to risk assess the journey in line with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008. It is up to parents to decide which school they wish to send their children and whether they wish to take up the offer of free transport.

Under the School Transport Policy, free transport will be provided to the nearest suitable secondary School provided that pupils live 3 miles from the school.

The Policy currently does not accommodate free transport to any other secondary school and any change would have to be subject to a review of the policy.

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Annex D

Action Group “Trefilan V C Primary School” Response to the Impact Assessments document

Original Consultation document Action Group Response CCC Response

Furthest pupils distance from school: 8.7 miles

Distance apart from the furthest pupils: 14.2 miles

No of pupils attending their nearest school: 73%

No of pupils not attending their nearest school: 27%

73% of pupils are currently attending their nearest school, with over 45% of pupils walking to school of the some time and during the Summer months. Closing Trefilan V.C. Primary School would lead to a dispersal of pupils over a several schools due to a number of factors, the main ones being educational standards, shortage of spare places in some of the accommodating schools, faith based preferences and location (not all pupils would have the same new nearest school nor the same new nearest church school). As a result most children would no longer be able to attend their nearest school nor walk to school.

It is unlikely that the majority of the pupils who currently walk to school will be able to continue to do so.

Ultimately, parents can choose whether they wish to send their children to the. Nearest school or a faith based school.

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Current Activities and Facilities the Schools provide/accommodate:

Original Consultation document / Action Group Response CCC Response

Breakfast Clubs No Daily Morning Club (Welsh)

The information provided in the Impact Assessment on breakfast clubs and other activities/ social events was provided by Trefilan VC Primary School in the form of a questionnaire. The questionnaire noted that there was no breakfast club in Trefilan VC Primary.

However, it has since been brought to our attention that there is a breakfast club at Trefilan VC School.

Other activities/social events: Infrequently (Bi- lingual) Christmas, Easter & Harvest

Thanksgiving Services Church Service in the School

(monthly) Garden Open Day (twice a year) RWAS Participation (annually)

Ras Hwyl (annually) Forrest School (weekly in

Summer) Pottery & Art Sessions

Cooking & Home Produce Sessions

Foreign Culture & Traditions Sessions

Music Lessons & Orchestra Siop yr Ardd (School Shop open

24/7)

Community Impact Assessment – Analysis


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Community Impact

Assessment

Comments Effect Mitigating measures for

negative impacts /

Comments

Nearest Schools 73% of pupils attend their nearest school, with 27% of pupils having access to nearer provision.

Neutral Negative

The effect of any additional travel for pupils will be reduced through the provision of free transport where eligible. Children would no longer be able to attend their nearest school due to educational outcomes in the accommodating schools and due to faith based preferences. Additional travel time can not be reduced through free transport, in fact having to meet free transport and travelling on a bus would increase travel times further.

The alternative schools offered include 2 denominational schools and 3 schools within the Aeron Valley, which would likely be the nearest schools to pupils from Trefilan VC Primary.

Free transport will be provided as outlined in the Council’s School Transport Policy.

It is acknowledged that travelling time will be increased. However according to the WG School Organisation Code (2013):

“where a school closure …is proposed:

The nature of journeys to alternative provision and resulting journey times for pupils…whether primary school pupils will have one-way journeys in excess of 45 minutes…”

Community Activities / Provision of alternative facilities for community use

There appears to be regular use of the School by the Community for various activities. However there is a village hall which could be utilised by the community

Neutral Negative

The use of the school is free, while there are charges for using the village hall or similar. Further to that some of the community activities can only be done at the school due to the outdoor space required,

The use of the school to provide a gardening club is undertaken as part of the extra-curricular education for pupils of Trefilan VC Primary only and not for the wider community.

Other activities provided for the

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and the closure of the school could enhance the usage of this facility.

e.g. gardening club. Also all of these activities are organised by parents of Trefilan pupils, which would then be travelling out of the community due to their children attending other schools.

wider community include the ‘come and craft club’ which could potentially be held in the village hall.

It follows that the effect would be neutral.

Facilities available in the immediate local or wider community will or could be enhanced in the event of a school closure

Village hall could be utilised in the event of school closure. This would have a positive impact on the increased use of the community facilities.

Neutral Negative

See above. It is envisaged that the closure of the school would result in greater use of the village hall as facilities for the community.

Distance and travelling time.

There is potentially increased travel for some pupils of the school to travel to another location. There would be increased travel for at least 73% of pupils which are currently attending their nearest school. There would be significantly increased travel for children whose parents would choose for them to continue their education in a church school.

Negative The provision of free transport within the proposal would affect the parents’ decision to send their children to alternative schools and therefore unlikely to cause major change – this would be in line with the transport policy. As above, free transport would neither decrease distances nor travelling time.

It has been acknowledged in the Impact Assessment that distance and travelling time would have a negative effect.

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Parents’ and pupils’ engagement with the alternative school and any facilities it may offer could be supported

Parents would be part of a wider school community which could lead to increase interaction between the villages. Pupils would also benefit from interacting with larger groups of children and diverse peer groups Trefilan V.C. Primary School is a very diverse group of children from different backgrounds and of diverse nationalities, and they are interacting with children from different villages as far as Lampeter on a regular basis during their extracurricular activities already.

Positive Negative

Parents’ engagement with the accommodating schools would be limited due to increased distances and parents not going to the school on a regular basis due to free transport. Parents might also be unable to invest time and money in another school and community that will not be a long term solution.


Wider community issues

No impact anticipated Neutral Negative

The closure of the school could potentially have an effect on church attendance as there would no longer be church services including the pupils of the school, which parents and other members of the families attend. Church attendance in general might decline due to parents wanting their children to establish relationships with children and families in other church communities.

Families will still live in the area and will be able to attend the local church should they wish to.

The shopping opportunity will not necessarily have to be withdrawn should the school close. If the community values the facility, it could decide to proceed with the shopping opportunity but that this will be provided from an alternative venue e.g. village hall. This will be

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The school currently provides the only shopping opportunity in the village, which would be withdrawn from the community with the closure of the school.

There would be further impact on the local and wider community due to the discontinuation of after school clubs and clubs for adults run by parents within the school.

the community’s decision.

Effect on the community:

Positive: 1 0 Neutral: 6 2

Negative: 1 6

Social Use of Language


Type of Activity Trefilan (VC)

After school activities which provide additional opportunities to use Welsh in the School and any alternative School (e.g. Urdd clubs);

Urdd Visits

Coffee mornings/evenings

The information provided in the Impact Assessment on after school activities which provide additional opportunities to use Welsh in the school and any alternative school was provided by Trefilan VC Primary School in the form of a questionnaire. We have included all events noted on the questionnaire.

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Language Impact Assessment – Analysis


Language Impact criteria

Comments Effect (positive, neutral or negative)

Mitigating measures for negative impacts / Comments

Education Provision / Standards / Achievement KS1 and KS2

Standards in all schools at KS1 and KS2 are currently good with achievements above or close to the National comparators. Moving the pupils to a School with increased pupil numbers will provide an opportunity to improve the education provision and access to greater range of facilities and a larger team of staff.

Positive Negative

Standards in some Schools are “adequate” and not all schools achieve the same educational outcomes, therefore some negative impact can be anticipated for Trefilan children and also the children in the accommodating schools. It is clear from the “Activities and Facilities” spreadsheet on page 8, that there is currently less access to those at the accommodating

Of the 5 schools offered as alternative schools, 4 schools are considered to be of equivalent standards to that at Trefilan VC Primary.

It must be noted that whilst considering the data that the cohorts within Trefilan VC and the 5 schools offered as alternative schools, vary from one child representing 100% to one child representing 8.3% i.e. 100% achievement would represent 1 child in one school whilst representing 12 children in another.

The Estyn Report “School Size and educational effectiveness – December 2013” states that:

“in small primary schools, where the number of pupils in each year group is frequently in single figures, meaningful comparisons about comparative performance can be more challenging.”

It is likely that due to moving to a larger

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schools. school that there would be more activities and facilities available for the pupils of Trefilan VC Primary. However, this would vary from one school to another. It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities.

School facilities for members of the community to learn Welsh

Trefilan School currently provide some opportunities for the community, however there is a village hall that could be utilised to hold events for the public.

Neutral Negative

It would not be possible to use the hall for a number of the clubs/ opportunities currently offered due to the nature of those and the fact that there would be a fee. Further to that most of those are organised by parents, which would no longer be able to run them without the school.

The use of the school for extra-curricular education is for the use of Trefilan VC Primary pupils only and not for the community.

Some activities are currently held for the community within the school in order for them to learn Welsh. These activities could be held at an alternative venue e.g. the village hall. It does not necessarily need to be held in the school.

It follows that the effect would be neutral.

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Information about after School activities which provide additional opportunities to use Welsh in the School and any alternative School

There is a currently a variety of after School clubs at Trefilan which would cease should the School close.

Negative There is the possibility of starting after School clubs at other Schools should there be interest and demand for the Service. All clubs at Trefilan School are free to all children and a similar arrangement at accommodating schools might be difficult as parents from Trefilan would not be able to offer their clubs there due to distances and other factors.

It has been acknowledged in the Impact Assessment that the reduction in the after School activities which provide additional opportunities to use Welsh in the School would have a negative effect on the pupils of Trefilan VC Primary.

However, there is a possibility that after school clubs could be started at other schools.

It is up to individual schools to implement their own initiatives that will promote extra-curricular activities.

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Additional after school facilities at any alternative school to further secure standards in the Welsh Language

Existing and proposed continuation will secure standards in Welsh language

Neutral Negative

There are currently no or less after school activities at all of the accommodating schools.

We acknowledged that the impact would be negative considering the level of after school clubs in existence at alternative schools at present.

Parents and pupils’ engagement with any alternative school and any specific language enhancement if offers could be supported

Integration will be encouraged through inspiring parents’ and pupils’ engagement in the parent/teacher/pupil associations already established in the schools.

Neutral Negative

Integration would be difficult due to increased distances and parents not going to the school on a regular basis due to free transport. Parents might also be unable to invest time and money in another school and community that will not be a longer term solution.

Pupils affected by the proposed closure will be provided with the following:

Transition opportunities with their newschool, meeting with teachers etc.

Provide a ‘Group time’ session for thepupils in order that they are able toshare feelings etc. – we used Theatrein Education (Arad Goch) to do thiswhen the 4 schools came together toform Ysgol T. Llew Jones,Brynhoffnant and when Ysgol Cribynclosed

Ensure that comprehensive information about each child’s personality, background and educational attainment is transferredeffectively , and that teachers withinTrefilan and the ‘alternative’ schoolmeet in order to discuss pupils andtheir needs


Disruption for all pupils will be kept to a

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minimum through integration work. Children are generally able to adapt very quickly to change.


For this reason, it is believed that the impact would be neutral.

Conclusion:

Effect on the Language:

Positive – 1 0 Neutral – 8 5 Negative – 1 5

Original Consultation document Action Group Response CCC Response

It should be noted that attempting to gauge the potential impact from school organisation on the Welsh language is a difficult undertaking. The main positives emerging from the impact assessment are the benefits on the education provision. Although the schools current linguistic categories will not change, the

proposal represents an opportunity to improve education and strengthen Welsh

Trefilan School currently has a high rate of children from non-Welsh speaking, bilingual and trilingual households. In September 2014 the setup would be as follows:

Pupils Language Nationality

It must once again be emphasised that attempting to gauge the potential impact from school organisation on the Welsh language is a difficult undertaking.


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education in the area. 20% from Welsh speaking households

Welsh

35% from bilingual households

Welsh, English, Scottish

30% from trilingual households

Welsh, English, Scottish Thai, German, Filipino

15% from non-Welsh speaking households

English

Despite the diverse group of pupils, Trefilan has been successful in using the Welsh language throughout and all pupils achieving excellent levels of fluency irrespective of their home language/languages. Further to that, parents have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the language and learn through the progress of their children as well as clubs and activities offered at the school. As stated above it can be difficult to attempt gauging the potential impact of a school closure on the Welsh language, however it is clear that the current set up is beneficial to the use of the Welsh language within the community and the dispersal of pupils over a number of schools longer distances away will potentially have a negative impact.

Provision for Welsh in all schools is good. However, individual pupils who are latecomers to the Welsh language have impacted on some schools’ data. The variable sizes of cohorts again impacts on data.


School Foundation Phase LCW (Welsh) (%)

Trefilan 100 Ciliau Parc 100 Cilcennin 100 Felinfach 100 Myfenydd 77.3 Llanwenog 100

The 3 year average data for Cilcennin, Ciliau Parc, Felinfach, Trefilan, Llanwenog and Myfenydd in Welsh at Key Stage 2 is as follows: School Key Stage 2 Welsh

(%) Trefilan 75 Ciliau Parc 84 Cilcennin 60

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Felinfach 100 Myfenydd 78.3 Llanwenog 88.2

Trefilan VC is therefore ranked equal 1st at Foundation Phase Welsh (along with 4 other schools) and 5th at Key Stage 2 Welsh.

It follows that current language provision will likely be sustained.

Potential Impact

Original Impact Assessment / Action Group Response CCC Response

Equality impact criteria Effect (positive,

neutral or negative)

Comments

Sex Positive Neutral Increased number of pupils will create an overall increased gender balance in each year and class.

The gender balance cannot be quantified precisely until the pupils’

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Although increased pupil numbers should lead to an increased gender balance, it is clear from the chart on page 18 that for children going from Trefilan School with 60% boys to Cilcennin School with nearly 70% there could potentially be a negative effect and gender balance could be further decreased.

destination has been ascertained, which in turn cannot be done until the parents make a formal application to send their children to another school. However, increased number of pupils will likely create balance in each year and class, which is why the effect has been classed to be neutral.

Religion or belief Neutral Negative No impact anticipated There would be the risk of children from Trefilan V.C. Primary no longer being able to attend a church school due to distances and travelling times. Some consideration would also have to be given to the integration of children from a church school into schools without any religious character.

Impact on religion or belief would be neutral as 2 of the alternative schools offered are denominational schools and free transport would be provided in line with the School Transport Policy. Ultimately, parents are able to choose whether they wish for their child to attend a denominational school or a school within the Aeron Valley.

Equality Assessment – Analysis

Original Impact Assessment / Action Group Response CCC Response

Equality impact criteria Comments Effect (positive, neutral or negative)

Mitigating measures for negative impacts/Comments

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Impact proposals will have on educational attainment among children from economically deprived backgrounds?

The current FSM eligibility of pupils at Trefilan is above the Ceredigion average. Increased pupil numbers within any prospective new school will allow the children to gain further experiences and enhanced learning provision and resources in order to raise achievements.

Positive Negative

There are several studies into moving schools during primary education all of which show a clear negative impact on educational outcomes for all pupils, with the ones from less affluent backgrounds being the worst affected. Some due consideration should be given to those pupils at Trefilan School, in particular because this proposal is not a permanent solution and studies show that multiple moves have long lasting negative impact on educational outcomes.

It is acknowledged that repeated moves can have a negative impact on a child’s emotional and educational attainment. However, from Ceredigion’s experience of school restructuring, such move can have a positive effect on pupils’ attainment as evidenced by the long term improvement in attainment at Ysgol Bro Sion Cwilt (opened in 2010). It is recognised that there may be a slight dip in performance due to the initial upheaval, but standards in the longer term are higher. A report commissioned by the Welsh Government Rural Development Sub-committee (Nov 2008) concluded that “evidence from Professor David Reynolds suggested that pupils in the schools in Pembrokeshire that were recently reorganised did better after the reorganisation that those in the non- reorganised schools. He argued that the children preferred the bigger schools, because they had more friends, there were more sports teams, and there were more facilities”.

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Equality issues including those identified through equality impact assessments conducted in accordance with Equality Act 2010.

Increased number of pupils will increase the diversity of children within the school and will allow for greater understanding with regards to equality. All schools have Accessibility Plans in place and are monitored regularly by the Authority to ensure compliance and future development.

Positive Negative

Increased pupil numbers do not automatically lead to increased diversity. Trefilan School has the most diverse group of children percentage wise (with 30% coming from multinational families, where at least one parent is not British) and as those children would be dispersed over a number of schools, the diversity they would be exposed to would actually decrease.

Diversity can be defined as the encompassing of acceptance and respect. Race, gender, socio-economic status, age, culture, physical disabilities, religious beliefs and other ideologies are aspects of diversity.

The alternative schools offered have more pupil numbers and are likely to include a more diverse range of peer groups (‘diverse’ meaning the aspects noted above).

Diversity and equality are important aspects of the school curriculum and are taught regardless of the diversity of the pupils that attend the individual school, which vary greatly from school to school.

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Gaps in attainment between boys and girls, and between other protected groups as identified in local data

School Improvement Officers are allocated to each school within Ceredigion and rigorously monitor and address any issues with underperformance. The ratio of boys/girls is consistent throughout the schools and therefore no impact is anticipated.

Neutral It is clear from the charts on page 18 that the ratio of boys/girls vary throughout the schools in this proposal and this might have a potential impact on attainment.

The gender balance cannot be quantified precisely until the pupils’ destination has been ascertained, which in turn cannot be done until the parents make a formal application to send their children to another school. However, increased number of pupils will likely create balance in each year and class and therefore on attainment, which is why the effect has been classed to be neutral

Bullying – reduce identity based bullying in schools

All schools follow the Authority’s policies with regards to Bullying. All cases are reported back to the Governing Bodies and the Local Authority on a termly basis. Stringent procedures are in place to deal with any issues of bullying or mistreatment. These policies and procedures will be carried through and implemented in the new school.

Neutral Children from Trefilan School would potentially be at a higher risk of bullying due to nationality, ethnicity and religious beliefs in some of the accommodating schools.

There is no evidence to suggest that children from Trefilan would be at higher risk of bullying due to the diverse nationality, ethnicity and religious beliefs of its pupils. Pupils are taught the importance of diversity and equality as part of the curriculum.

There have been no incidents of bullying in Ysgol T. Llew Jones, Brynhoffnant for the past 2 years despite 4 schools merging to become one area school, with there being over 140 pupils.

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Raise awareness of equality and diversity issues among Pupils, staff and governors

The majority of the pupils in each school are registered as Welsh and White. There will be opportunities to increase awareness of diversity, as there are greater pupil numbers in each of the schools offered.

Positive Negative

As above, Trefilan School has the most diverse group of pupils, with 30% coming from multinational households, with a large percentage of those having at least one parent that is not white.

Diversity can be defined as the encompassing of acceptance and respect. It does not include ‘multi-nationality’ alone. Race, gender, socio-economic status, age, culture, physical disabilities, religious beliefs and other ideologies are aspects of diversity.

The alternative schools offered have more pupil numbers and are likely to include a more diverse range of peer groups (‘diverse’ meaning the aspects noted above as opposed to ‘multi-nationality’’ alone). Diversity and equality are important aspects of the school curriculum and are taught regardless of the diversity of the pupils that attend the individual school, which vary greatly from school to school.

Conclusion

Effect on the Equality: Positive: 3 0 Neutral: 3 Negative: 0 3

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Annex E

Comments received from an online petition regarding the Future Provision at

Trefilan Voluntary Controlled School

108 comments received in total.

1 Because too many small schools are closing.

2 Simple - It's always the small schools which get picked on, Yet they provide the best education and fun things for our children. We have the same thing here in Scotland.

3 Small, energetic and lively schools are important to rural communities.

4 Because all the schools are being closed and the welfare of the children and best educational practices are being ignored.

5 I attended Trefilan School when I was little and I have very fond memories of going there with my sister. To close this school would be a great shame and I feel a lot of children will miss out, it's a long established school which is an important part of the community in Trefilan! I thank the school and the teachers for my education at Trefilan. Thank you so much!.

6 My son attends this lovely fantastic school! 7 My nephew goes here and loves the school he will be very sad to have to move as

he only just moved to the area in September and has met some amazing friends and teachers.

8 No matter what country you're living in it should be made possible that children can go to school close to home, that there are no unnecessary changes made due to government decisions and that a decision about closing a school should be reviewed as many times as possible with as actual dates as achievable to make sure the correct action is taken. That's not minor decision - it's quite a big one and should be treated like that.

9 I went to school when I was younger. 10 Important to keep community schools open!! 11 Need to keep small village schools open. It's an important part of the community. 12 It is a beautiful little school which is a big benefit to the community. 13 keep the community together. 14 Its important to keep the village schools open as they are the heart of the village. 15 I've seen too many small schools close in Ceredigion and seen the impact that has

on the communities. 16 To keep small Welsh schools going for local children, and the community. 17 Rural schools are at the heart of many village communities. Closing this school

would leave a large part of the county without any school provision. 18 To keep the backbone of rural Wales and allow the Welsh language to thrive. 19 Having been educated in a small rural school I never have felt disadvantaged by this

and have felt it actually gave me an advantage when I made it to secondary school. These schools are the heart of the rural community closing them destroys villages.

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20 its been in our family forever and also very much needed to stay there.

21 I used to live in the surrounding area, and I know how important these local schools can be.

22 Small schools need a voice. Cannot expect small children to travel round the countryside to other school which then face closure. Not cost effect and shut down small communities.

23 My child does not go to this school but he went to a small local school about 3 years ago and loved it so much. They closed it as there were only a few children in it. They put him straight into a large school where his work went downhill and he got lost in the system. We are still working hard to build his lost confidence up and help him to try and enjoy his school life. Taking away a close caring community school from young children can have a devastating effect on them.

24 This was my primary school when growing up in Wales, very happy memories and went back to visit a few years ago. Would be sad to hear that this school was closed due to lack of pupils as I feel this is one of the things that makes it such a supportive environment to have learnt and grown up in.

25 Closing local schools rips the heart out of communities. 26 Village schools are vital to our local communities, we love them and we want to

keep them alive! 27 To keep local people to their locality. 28 Keeping the school open for the children.

29 Small rural schools are the lifeblood of their community.

30 small village schools keep the community together, villages die without their schools and a whole way of life is being lost due to the vandalistic tendencies of government.

31 need to keep these smaller schools. Village kids do a lot better in smaller classes. 32 Feel very strongly that Ceredigion County Council's proposal to close this rural

school and other like it is detrimental to our society and rural communities. 33 It is crucial to keep the option of a small school available for parental choice. 34 Once you lose a school in a small community, then the village becomes isolated.

Cribyn is a prime example. 35 This is a small, brilliant rural school. It is a part of the local community, if the school

is closed the community will die, the consequences are far reaching and can be seen in many of Ceredigion's rural areas.

36 Small schools provide a lifeline for the village, a centre for the local community and a nurturing education for the children.

37 I believe it is important to our community to have small village schools for those families that support them.

38 Young children should not have to do a long commute to a faraway school - school is tiring enough in the early years. They will learn more in a secure and familiar setting, close to home.

39 As a former pupil of Trefilan School, I can see the value of small rural schools. The nurturing and education which I received in the Aeron Valley has shaped my character, and I would like to think that future generations of children will have the

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same opportunities which I had in the 1980s. Long live Trefilan School!

40 I think it is important to maintain local schools such as this; the benefits of them are obvious to see in the children who attend them.

41 Good local schools for local children should be supported as being the foundation for their success in the future and for their contribution to the community.

42 I have good friends that live in the community and are affected by this.

43 The loss would be immeasurable for these happy children.

44 It is essential that erosion of availability of local, church schools is halted. This local school serves the needs of this community and should be kept.

45 This school seems to be doing a wonderful job of educating young people in the community. Please keep this school open.

46 My cousin goes there and family sticks together and helps each other out, its what makes a family worth all the hassle.

47 A good primary school is and should be the heart of the community, educating and nurturing a young child in preparation for 'big school'.

48 Every child needs the best start with a good local school that provides not just education but community and support, particularly the rural areas. Without it society becomes evermore fractured.

49 Young children should be able to attend their community; the school is an essential dynamic part of the community infrastructure.

50 Because small schools allow the child to feel more confident as they have a more friendly atmosphere. Big schools can be overwhelming for small children.

51 I lost one school, now governor of New York federation. 52 As a Headteacher of a small village school myself I recognise the important role

village schools play within the community and believe closing one would lead to a poorer community.

53 It is my grandsons school. 54 Loose a rural school you lose your culture.

55 This is my brother's school and part of our community! 56 Family go there. 57 I think it is tragic that a local school with such important community links is

considered to be unnecessary. Everyone goes on about carbon footprinting - how and where will these children be accommodated? Cost involved in getting them to and from other schools? UNICEF states a child has the right to education - and if the community choose to home educate their children - teachers will inevitably also become a non-essential. The impact of closing this school will ultimately have knock-on effects! It is shocking that is a first world country cuts in education occur where unmarried, single girls get rewarded with benefits to be pregnant and unmarried! SHOCKING! Rather cut their benefits and leave this school OPEN!

58 I believe that all children have a right to an education that is nurturing and inspiring. & it seems to me that this school is doing its purpose absolutely.

59 Too many village communities are being fragmented by this kind of closure. Why close an establishment that delivers good education to send children to a school that offers impersonal education that is arguably less good?

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60 Just because a school is small doesn't mean it can't play a vital role in its community - I teach in a small English School myself and I know how valued we are in our community.

61 Nothing is more cost effective or fully nurturing than continuity of care. Get a grip you morons.

62 Small schools should be kept open. They provide a heart within a community - without which no community can thrive. Many of the issues our society experiences today is due to the fact that there is little or no sense of community spirit in many areas any longer.

63 local schools are extremely important especially in rural communities.

64 Communities need schools, children need their community. A school should be at the heart of every community.

65 it is for the children.

66 Every child in this school THRIVES, once this school and all the other small schools have been closed down THEY WILL NEVER RE-OPEN, they will have gone. Rural communities deserve a choice not just 'large schools with excellent facilities'; sometimes 'facilities' don't replace excellent teaching! CCC are ripping the soul and future out of this county.

67 I believe a good education leads to good things.

68 my first school.

69 Because I believe that small schools in Ceredigion are vital for the eduation of our rural children. I don't want to see them ferried around the county as positie pounds on some twit's accounting sheet. They are human beings who deserve the best. Those of who live in rural West Wales deserve better.

70 Small schools are effective and long-term profitable.

71 Communities need schools and children need to go to school locally and gain an excellent education as is common to most small schools.

72 Small schools provide the best learning environment for children to thrive and are essential for rural communities to survive.

73 Last summer our local authority closed the village school that my two boys attended. They absolutely loved their school and thrived there. Thanks to the school closure they both lost their best friends since they live quite a long drive away and academically and emotionally it has been a disaster for my children. The new school my boys go to, while still quite small (100 pupils) just cannot provide the same nurturing, individualised environment and we are now having to deregister our boys to home educate as a result. It has been a disaster all round. Please do not close any small schools in your county; the short term savings do not make up for the impact it will have on the community and on the pupils.

74 Keep education at the heart of the community. Small schools provide outstanding educational opportunities for their pupils.

75 Village schools make villages. Removing the sound of children's chatter in playgrounds is just an awful, short sighted action - one never to be replaced or recovered from. Fight a good fight Trefilan VC Primary and long live small schools and vibrant villages everywhere.

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76 After just saving our own village school a couple of years ago I know how important schools are to a village and villagers. Our school is the heart of our village.

77 Our local authority tried and failed to shut my old primary school for just the same reasons two years ago. We fought them and won. Good luck folks!

78 Small schools generally provide a very good education for pupils and are very cost effective when all relevant costs are taken into account. They provide the lifeblood of rural communities and make a huge contribution to the social and economic health of a community. They contribute to the long term sustainability of rural areas and should never be proposed for closure as a result of short term measures. The effect on rural communities is to lose a vital resource which may never be replaced.

79 I've been involved with the successful fight to keep our small village church school going and see the enormous benefits in my daughter's education, families and community. SAVE SMALL SCHOOLS!!

80 Small community schools are as important now as they were when I went to a village school in South Wales in the 1970's. My old school is now a housing estate. Don't let this happen to Trefilan.

81 Small children need a small school environment. Also remove a school from a village and you remove its heart. I know as my village school closed a few years ago …

82 The school is an important part of village life. 83 Small schools are the beating heart of their community. 84 Village schools are the heart of a rural community providing a secure and happy

placed for children to learn. Let’s think of the children first. 85 Schools should be kept local. 86 I believe children have a right to learn but in their own time and way, every child is

different and this school is thinking outside the box, keep it open!! 87 Because there are too many of these smaller schools being closed down and these

are normally the ones with a better attendance and a good personal relationship with the parents which surely has to be better than all the bigger schools that have too many children to cope with resulting in a lower attendance rate more bullying and disgraceful behaviour.

88 I believe my children should continue to receive the excellent educational provision they are getting right now within Ysgol Trefilan. It is a nurturing and inspiring school within which all four of my children are thriving.

89 Small villages are losing their soul. Communities rely on each other. This school is important to these children and the community.

90 Ceredigion County Council. Is STILL not wholly apparent the significance the village school plays within the community??

91 In my teaching career I saw the closure of many excellent small primary schools and the effect it had on their local communities. Travel expenses may be in a different budget to maintenance and salaries, but the effects on the overall economy is often ignored, both of the cost of travel in terms of children's time, fuel costs and extra strain on resources. Often schools are closed when their numbers are already increasing and make their continuance viable and preferable.

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92 This is a strong little school with an immense sense of community. The children deserve to be able to continue their education in this fantastic environment.

93 Villages change when the school closes, our village did. 94 It's much better for the children in all ways.

95 It is essential to keep Trefilan School open until there is provision of sustainable primary education in a new area school in Dyffryn Aeron. Children are the future of everything that Wales stands for, and there is no possible justification for moving young children from school to school or from one catchment area to another. Primary school children need and deserve continuity and stability so that they can achieve their potential, particularly through primary school. Please examine every possibility of building a new area school in the Aeron valley, so that the children of Trefilan school can remain where they are, receiving excellent education, until they can all move together to a new local and sustainable school. I am asking all councillors to do the right thing for these children's future and the future of the whole country.

96 It is essential that village schools remain open to serve the community and educational needs of local children.

97 The current proposals are detrimental to the education of all the children in the Aeron Valley and I urge the council to look at all the facts and figures to find a long term solution that is financially sustainable while at the same time being fair on all children and given them all equal chances of a secure primary school education.

98 Ceredigion CC is ripping the heart out of local communities and ruining our children's futures.

99 This was my primary school and where I was planning to send my children. This is an amazing community supported church school.

100 I received my primary school education at Trefilan School. It's the main reason for why I am a fluent Welsh speaker. I will always feel lucky to have had the kind of nurture that a small school can offer. Upon joining Trefilan school at the age of 5, I had already been moved on from a larger school for being a "troubled" child. Thanks to Trefilan school and its staff, I got into a Russell Group University, am a concert musician, commissioned artist, and now work in intelligence. I hope for others to have access to this school and the opportunities it has afforded me.

101 Country school, giving each and every child every opportunity to be who they want to be.

102 Trefilan school was of a nice size, and it gave every pupil a good start in education, for me and my son and daughter, so please keep it open for years to come to give every child a good start in life.

103 Education of a family member! 104 My godson loves his school. 105 Family friends affected. 106 It is a local community school and I feel that it needs to carry on providing a service

for the local area; the nearest schools are full to bursting so keeping the children together is almost impossible.

107 Because I know a lot of children who are very happy to go this school.

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108 Because taking school away from little kids that need everything in life and need things to do and you lot come out with if they do not go to school you put the father or mother in jail so come on think before you shut it. Every kid out there has a rights to go to school you keep shutting this down there be no schools for them to go to and what does the law say if your kids do not go to school the mother or father or both of them can get done for it and sent to jail think before you shut something down that mean a lot to kids and the family that go there.

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Annex F

Estyn response to the proposal to discontinue Trefilan VC Primary School

This report has been prepared by Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education and Training in Wales.

Under the terms of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 and its associated Code, proposers are required to send consultation documents to Estyn. However Estyn is not a body which is required to act in accordance with the Code and the Act places no statutory requirements on Estyn in respect of school organisation matters. Therefore as a body being consulted, Estyn will provide their opinion only on the overall merits of school organisation proposals.

Estyn has considered the educational aspects of the proposal and has produced the following response to the information provided by the proposer and other additional information such as data from Welsh Government and the views of the Regional Consortia which deliver school improvement services to the schools within the proposal.

Introduction

This consultation proposal is from Ceredigion County Council .

The proposal is to:

catchment area in other existing schools.

Summary/ Conclusion

Are the proposals likely to maintain or improve the standard of education provision in the area?

The most recent Estyn inspections have identified good standards, provision and leadership in almost all the schools. However, some of the information is over three or four years old, dating from the pre-2010 inspection cycle. The proposer has included a general evaluation of the outcomes in terms of standards and wellbeing at the schools affected. However it is unclear what criteria have been used to by the provider to judge these outcomes. For example, the outcomes for Ysgol Trefilan are judged to be good despite being in the first quarter for all subjects at key stage 2 for the last three years except for Welsh in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. Other schools with similar outcomes have been judged by the proposer to be excellent for example Ciliau Parc and Ysgol Felinfach (although in the summary table, outcomes in Felinfach are judged to be good and in the text excellent). Also the proposal does not address the potential disruption for Ysgol Trefilan pupils of further reorganisation of the affected schools in the future, and on maintaining the level of social and extracurricular activities currently available at Ysgol Trefilan.

The local authority has given a clear rationale of the expected advantages and

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disadvantages of the proposal as outlined in the report against the status quo and two other options. Advantages outweigh potential disadvantages, which are based mainly around falling pupil numbers and removing surplus places.

However, Estyn is unable to come to a view as to whether the proposal is likely to maintain or improve the standard of education provision in the area due to the reasons outlined above.

What effect do the proposals have on other schools and educational institutions in the area?

There will potentially be an impact on up to five other schools in the vicinity, depending on which schools lie closest to the pupils’ homes and on parental choice.

Description and benefits

Has the proposer:

disadvantages when compared with the status quo as outlined in the report?

The local authority has given a clear rationale of the expected advantages and disadvantages of the proposal as outlined in the report against the status quo and two other options. Advantages outweigh potential disadvantages, which are based mainly around falling pupil numbers and removing surplus places.

There are no clear risks identified. It would appear that other proposals, to develop area schools by the local authority, will directly affect some of the schools receiving pupils from Ysgol Trefilan, which would lead to further changes in the provision for current Trefilan pupils.

been discounted?

The local authority has considered two alternatives - federation of schools and creating a new area school. These were discounted on financial grounds and because they would not address the trend of falling pupil numbers.

accessibility of provision.

Pupils wishing to attend a similar church in Wales school to Ysgol Trefilan will have significantly longer school journeys. There will be a considerable impact on travel arrangements for pupils of Ysgol Trefilan. The local authority has considered the impact and, under existing guidelines, will provide school transport where applicable.

Effectively shown how surplus places will be affected? If surplus places will be increased, does the proposer give adequate reasons for this?

Surplus places will be reduced if the proposal is accepted.

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pact of the proposals on Welsh medium provision within the local authority?

All the schools affected by the proposal are based in similar communities from a language point of view, and all the schools are classified as Welsh Medium schools. If the proposal is accepted, there will be no impact on Welsh medium provision.

Educational aspects of the proposal

the outcomes, provision and leadership and management?

The main consideration by the local authority is the perceived improvement in provision that being a pupil in a larger school will bring – better age-grouping of pupils, wider curricular expertise. The proposer has summarised the outcomes in terms of standards and wellbeing for the schools affected. However it is unclear what criteria has been used to by the provider to judge the outcomes of the schools affected. Specifically, the outcomes for Ysgol Trefilan are judged to be good despite being in the first quarter for all subjects at key stage 2 for the last three years except for Welsh in 2010/2011 and 2011/2012. Other schools with similar outcomes have been judged by the local authority to be excellent for example Ysgol Felinfach and Ciliau Parc.

ensure delivery of the full curriculum at the foundation phase and at each key stage?

The Local authority has considered this effectively, and feels that implementing the proposal would improve delivery of the curriculum because of the number of teachers and narrower age groups within classes.

well has the proposer considered the impact of the proposals on vulnerable groups, including children with Special Educational Needs?

There is no specific reference to pupils with Special Educational needs, only in the context of more expertise being available to deliver the pupils’ education.

has the proposer provided evidence that the alternative would deliver outcomes and offer provision at least equivalent to that which is currently available to those learners (including learners with SEN)? How well has the proposer ensured that the disruption to learners is minimised?

The local authority has considered fully the quality of education that the other schools provide, although some of the information is not recent. It would appear that there would not be a negative impact on standards and provision. However, the local authority does not appear to have considered future disruption to pupils because of further reorganisation of other schools directly affected by this proposal. Further, provision of extra-curricular and social activities for pupils in Ysgol Trefilan appear to be substantially more than the other schools affected. The local authority proposal does not address this in any way.

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Documents

Responses to the Consultation on the proposal to close ... · PDF filetheir own religious and philosophical conviction.” ... Filipino 6. 15% From non Welsh speaking ... religious