Michael German: "Now Its Up To The Assembly to Protect Ponthir School"

3.11.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 10th Jun 2005

Michael German, Assembly Member for South Wales East, has expressed his disappointment at Torfaen Council's decision to close Ponthir VC School.

"I'm very disappointed that the council has come to this decision about Ponthir School. I have visited the school many times and I have spent a lot of time talking to parents. I have listened to the arguments that the council have made in favour of closure and I remain unconvinced. In short, I think the council have made the wrong decision.

"Ponthir VC School serves its local community very well and I don't believe that the council have can justify closing a school which is so successful and well supported.

"The matter will now come to the National Assembly and I will be calling on Jane Davidson to reject the council's closure plans because they don't meet the needs of that particular community. Furthermore, there is no strong economic argument in favour of closure as the only surplus places are in an unused temporary classroom that the council itself has refused to move.

Mr German added that the deferred decision on the future of Brookfield School should not be just a stay of execution.

"I welcome the council's decision to defer the judgement on Brookfield. I hope it doesn't just mean putting off the evil day and that the council will listen very closely to the proposals put forward by the campaign there.

"Having visited the school on several occasions I'm convinced it's the right site to be retained."