DECISION-makers will push forward a programme of work to develop detailed proposals for a change to co-educational secondary schooling in Barry – despite opposition.

The Vale Council's cabinet this week decided the proposal – to merge Barry Comprehensive and Bryn Hafren into one mixed-sex secondary school – should address concerns raised by those parents who felt they would not support a change and by members of school staff.

Ninety-two percent of staff responding to a consultation did not support, in principle, a change to co-educational secondary schooling in Barry and a report, put before members, concluded: “The very negative response and the supporting comments made by staff suggest that many have serious concerns about how any possible change may affect them.”

A total of 951 people took part in the consultation which included parents, children and young people and members of staff.

Eighty-one percent of parents that responded to the consultation supported, in principle, a change to co-educational secondary schooling in Barry.

The report said 75 percent of secondary school pupils would prefer to attend a mixed school and 69 percent of primary school pupils echoed their view.

Cabinet also approved the allocation of up to £25,000 from the School Rationalisation Reserve to fund the appointment of an advisor/project manager on a short-term contract.