TREHERBERT INFANTS SCHOOL

The council are proposing to amalgamate Treherbert Infants School with its associated Community Primary Schools at Penyrenglyn and Penpych, to create two complete ‘all through’ Primary School, catering for children aged 3 to 11 years, who reside in the catchment areas served at present by the two primary schools.

The proposal will result in the closure of the Treherbert Infants School building, with all children transferring to either Penyrenglyn or Penpych Primaries, subject to parental preferences.

The number of pupils at Treherbert Infants during January 2004 was 71, but by September 2004 the number of pupils had fallen to only 47. In a published leaflet the Council state: "The school budget is already in a deficit situation, and this deficit will increase as the pupil roll falls."

Prior to the closure of Penyrenglyn Infants and Junior School staff and parents of Treherbert Infants were consulted on the possibility of creating a ‘super school’. This new school would have been home to pupils of Penyrenglyn Infants and Junior School, Ynyswen School and Treherbert School. When a referendum was held Ynyswen and Treherbert school decided to remain as individual schools. But now less than a few years on the Council are making a second attempt to close Treherbert School.

A meeting is being held at Treherbert school on October 12 where Council officials will make their case for closure. Newly appointed Head Elizabeth Davies said: “We are at the beginning of a consultation period and will await for the council to present the arguments for both sides.”

Treherbert Infants School was built in 1898 for a capacity of 98 pupils. The council state that if the school was to remain open that the school requires “moderate capital investment to bring the building up to an acceptable standard. Works required include window and door replacement, roof repairs and repointing/damp proofing to prevent water ingress.”

For 2004/05 the school received a budget of £208,717 to pay for staffing and the day-to-day running of the school. If the school were to close this money would be transferred to maintain the school site until its sold or demolished. Addition funding would then be supplied to Pen Pych and Penyrenglyn to accommodate the influx of pupils.

Treherbert Councillor Jeff Williams said: “In Penyrenglyn we have already lost Penyrenglyn Infants and Juniors Schools but when you look at the new Penyrenglyn Community School then you can see the real benefits of a community school. If Treherbert Infants School was to close then I would like to see free transport for all the pupils who have to move to their new schools. That’s if the closure goes ahead.”

The schedule for the coming months will be to consult with parents and staff from now until November. A report will then be issued to the Council during December, a decision to process with closure or abandon the plans will be made at this meeting. If the Council agree to proceed then during January 2005 they will publish a Statutory Notice with a 62 day consultation period. The formal consultation will end during March 2005 and if no objections are received then Treherbert Infants School will close during that Summer with pupils being transferred in time for the new School year in September 2005.

If during this consultation period the Council received just one objection then the proposal has to be referred to the National Assembly of Wales in Cardiff. The Assembly will then make a decision in July 2005. This would mean that a September 2005 amalgamation would be impossible. After the Assembly has taking into account the Council reports and public objections and agrees with the closure of Treherbert Infants School then the amalgamation will take place during January 2006.

Former Councillor Layton Percy Jones said: "I think its appauling the lack of consultation with parents, staff and governors. It looks very much that the decision has been made. Labour have only taken control of the council for a few months and the first thing they have done is to close Treherbert Infants School."

Former Head Mrs Jill Evans was unavailable to comment.

Local Councillor Kevin Morgan commented: "Apart from being a local councillor with an interest in local education I also have to declare an interest as my son leaves the school at the end of this school year. A period of consultation has begun about a proposal for closure. I will wait to hear what the parents have to say about it."

A public information leaflet has been distributed by RCT Council during the last few days informing residents of its plans. If you haven't recevied your copy then click here. If you would like to make your comments to officials at RCT Council then please contact julie.a.hadley@rhondda-cynon-taff.gov.uk before November 19.

TOTW: What do you think should be done? Would the pupils benefit from moving into a recently built school? What do you think they should remain at the current site? If the school were to close, what would you like done with the site? We would like to hear your views on the subject. We have opened a decision tread in ‘Your Views’.