Protest against proposed Welsh language school in Penmaenmawr

Jun 4 2009 by Sarah Lewis, North Wales Weekly News

PARENTS have launched a petition over plans to turn a Penmaenmawr primary into a Welsh medium school.

Authorities are now consulting parents as to whether Ysgol Pencae on Graiglwyd Road will be turned into a predominately Welsh language school.

Some parents of children at the school believe such a move would be disruptive and divisive in a predominantly English-speaking area.

Dad-of-two Melvin Jones of Merton Bungalow, Penmaenmawr told the Weekly News: “We’re not happy about this change and are hoping other parents feel the same way.

“The plan is to turn the school into a Welsh medium school. All lessons from September this year will be taught in Welsh.

“We need a lot of support for the petition to have any effect.”

Melvin has two daughters, Cerys Jones, five, and Catrin, three.

Cerys is in Year 1 at the school and when Catrin later joins, Melvin feels he may have to change their schools so both children have the same education.

Melvin added: “It will be a shame if we have to move them and split them up from friends.

“We have looked into moving them to Ysgol Capelulo in Dwygyfylchi, but they are unable to say if there is room for both our daughters.

“This means parents may have to travel a lot further if this change goes ahead.”

Councillor for Penmaenmawr Ken Stevens has been contacted by worried parents expressing their concerns if the school goes ahead with the plans. He said a lot of people are concerned about the future of the school.

Opinions have also been raised on Penmaenmawr’s community forum.

One parent says they are thinking of choosing the Welsh stream, but believes whatever medium people choose for their children, it should be their own personal choice and not forced upon parents by the school.

Conwy County Council has insisted that no decision has been agreed to change the status of Ysgol Pencae yet.

A spokeswoman said: “Ysgol Pencae is a dual stream (Welsh and English) voluntary controlled school supported by the Church in Wales and the local authority.

“Over the past few years the school has seen an increase in the number of pupils choosing to access the curriculum through the medium of Welsh.

“Parents had already indicated that only a few would be choosing to access the curriculum through the medium of English when they leave this year’s reception class.

“Following this information, and taking previous trends into consideration, the governors of the school have requested further information and advice from the local authority as to options available to them regarding the school’s status.

“Following this advice, the governors will consider whether there is a need for change before going to formal consultation with parents, the church, the local authority and the Assembly Government.

“No decision has been made or agreed although the headteacher has recently made some tentative enquiries with parents.”

sarah.lewis