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Tuesday, 19 February 2008, 12:07 GMT

School supporters vow to fight on

Parents and children held protests to keep the Anglesey school open Two communities on Anglesey have vowed to fight to save their schools after councillors voted to close Ysgol Llanddeusant and Ysgol Aberffraw.

Parents and governors say the closure of the schools in 2009 will damage the two communities around the schools.

But Anglesey council said surplus school places cost it £425,000 in 2006 and that figure is expected to rise.

The assembly government will make a final decision on the closures if any objections are lodged.

"Hopefully after the decision there will be a bit more movement now to try and keep the school open, as everyone's worried about it closing," said Paul Caplin, who has two daughters, Megan, 11 and Cerys, four, at 17-pupil Ysgol Aberffraw.

"The council don't seem to take any notice of our opinions but I'm hoping that when it gets to the assembly they will see our side of things."

"I just hope that someone, somewhere, will see sense"
William Spencer Hughes, chairman of governors Ysgol Llanddeusant

Mr Caplin said he thought the council had been short-sighted.

"It's not just about the school it's about the community.

"It's about Aberffraw, which will become another enclave for retired people or second homes, because no families will want to live here without a school.

"No families means no life in the village," he added.

Chairman of governors at 23-pupil Ysgol Llanddeusant, William Spencer Hughes, said he was disappointed with the decision.

"They should have looked at the situation in the county as a whole, not per catchment area, as some of these children could end up moving school more than once.

"We will fight every step of the way to make sure that the schools get a fair deal.

"I just hope that someone, somewhere, will see sense," he added.

Education porfolio holder councillor John Meirion Davies said it was sad that some schools would have to close, but it became too expensive when schools had fewer than 50 pupils.

"I sympathise with those affected, but it's simply not sustainable to keep going as we are, the money is simply not available," he said.

"We won't find a solution that will make everyone happy, but I'd like to see more area schools," he added.



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Related to this story:
Island school closures approved (18 Dec 07 |  North West Wales )
Two island schools could close (07 Dec 07 |  North West Wales )
Council backs school changes plan (13 Dec 07 |  Wales )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Anglesey County Council
Welsh Assembly Government
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