(Title Image: via Google Earth)
Bridgend Council has published responses to their consultation on plans to merge Afon-y-Felin and Corneli (English-medium) primary schools in North Cornelly, in addition to a proposed expansion to Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr Welsh-medium primary (pdf).
As mentioned last year, the plans would see a new two-form entry English-medium primary built on the Marlas Estate – with accompanying community facilities, like sports pitches – while a new two-form entry Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr would be built at the existing site.
The aim is for the new merged English-medium school to open in September 2023 and the new Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr to open in September 2024.
The main concern from pupils would be a possible increase in class sizes, as well as the impact of moving from two relatively small schools to a larger one. Corneli Primary’s school council eventually agreed unanimously that it was a good idea, while Afon Y Felin’s school council unanimously concluded that it was too early to tell whether it was a good or bad idea.
Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr pupils were concerned about traffic and the includion of a forest area. After being told these matters would be considered at a detailed design stage, the school council supported the proposal.
Staff and governors at the English-medium schools wanted assurances there would be no impact on employment and that “familiar faces” would transfer to the new school. Bridgend Council said they want to maintain what they describe as a “small school ethos” at the merged school and it was highly likely that existing staff from both schools will transfer across.
An online questionnaire, however, revealed further misgivings from parents and school staff, with a majority (54%) disagreeing with the proposals. The general sense was that the merged school would be too big and there were a lot of comments praising how Afon-y-Felin in particular has turned itself around in a short space of time.
There were also comments supporting moving Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr to a more neutral or highly-populated area (Porthcawl and western Bridgend were mentioned) to broaden the catchment area.
The council’s response revealed that moving the Welsh-medium school to Porthcawl was considered, as was maintaining two separate English-medium schools in updated buildings. However, the poor condition of all three schools meant improvements to the buildings would not have been practical.
