Community being split in two and Sibling Split schooling

The Local Gazette have published another article this week. This is the 2nd front-page coverage in the last month. A clear issue with all of these options is family unity  - there seems to be little focus on family issues around the options - there are many families who have commented within OPTION B's established areas during the entire consultation period in areas such as  Clos Henblas and Rhodfa Mes where split schooling will certainly impact them; this view is echo'd in the OPTION C's residents views.  The officers at BCBC are not using their powers to influence family unity for either of the options - this should be at the forefront of their paper however was not a real focal point.

Initial article can be found here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2011/01/27/school-places-furore-91466-28061343/ 

and today's article here: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/south-wales-news/bridgend-maesteg/2011/02/24/our-community-is-being-split-in-two-91466-28223626/

The consultation continues and residents should be writing to the following people

Ellen.Franks@Bridgend.gov.uk; Cabinet_Committee@bridgend.gov.uk;  Mark.Beauchamp@bridgend.gov.uk; Cllr.Alana.Davies@bridgend.gov.uk

Option A - A logical option

Residents and Children on Gypsy Lane

The meetings took place last week at the 2 schools in question, it was clear from the meetings that the figures presented by the LEA brought with them some  "health warnings".

The evidence within the catchment change report suggests there is 100 live births each year and a sustained intake of 87 children, this is an unsubstantiated figure.  Arfon Hughes from the residents association has raised this point in correspondence with the LEA

In simple terms, the ‘over subscription’ of MYH is predicated on 87% of all births on the estate translating into demands for school places.  Yet in both the Option B and Option C reports prepared by your department, between 31% and 33% of all children in Broadlands attend other schools, for reasons including language and religion.  Applying this, existing ratio of children to pupils to future growth would yield a demand of 67-69, matching exactly the PAN figure for the school. 

This is a clear indication of OPTION A being the most logical option. Both of these options are going to cause a major issue for families with children already at the school

Make sure you write into the LEA with your feedback by March 1st.

School Catchment Consultations

A presentation was made yesterday evening 8 February at Maes yr Haul by the education department about their revised plans to change the catchment of the school. Essentially what is proposed is that areas to the north of the school, including those immediately adjacent to it, be taken out of the catchment and placed in the catchment for Trelales. 

Unfortunately the event wasn't advertised beyond parents of children at Maes yr Haul at present. There is a deadline of 1 March for representations. 
The Residents' Association has already made representations highlighting that the case for change hasnot been made and the effect that the proposal will have on the community and parents with more than one child who may end up with children attending two different schools. 

There is a further consultation event at Trelales school TONIGHT Feb 9th at 6pm 

Please email arfon@broadlandsresidents.org for further information, or join our facebook group "Leave Maes yr Haul's Catchment Alone!"

2nd Consultation at Maes Yr Haul School

All views must be received by no later than Tuesday 1^st March 2011.

            You are also welcome to attend the open meeting at one of the two schools concerned:

            Maes yr Haul Primary School:    Tuesday 8^th February 2011 at 7:00pm

            Trelales Primary School:             Wednesday 9^th February 2011 at 6.00pm

Front Page News of this weeks local newspaper

A second consultation on the school catchment to take place...!

A recent posting on BCBC website highlights a further consultation is to take place on the school catchment areas.

http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/web/groups/public/documents/press_release/087789.hcsp#TopOfPage

Residents association

Thanks to the due diligence the association, the document submitted to cabinet and its decision has been deferred. Please review the latest statements on the broadlands residents website

New report produced by Bridgend Council for Cabinet today

We have become aware of a new report filed by BCBC to cabinet

CLICK HERE