Proud of our people (From Barry And District News)

Proud of our people

11:18am Thursday 14th March 2013 in Letters

I AM delighted that the Labour group has chosen not to close Oak Field School. We are all aware of the cuts and constraints put on local governments, and the hard decisions they have to make. I am absolutely flabbergasted that Gibbonsdown was pinpointed in the first place.

Since 1985 we have been recognised as one of the most deprived areas in Wales. Councillors come and go, power is passed from one party to another, but very little is done to combat the deprivation of Gibbonsdown.

I was at a meeting in 2009 where Oak Field was raised, regarding parents removing their children from this school.

The local education authority were aware of this situation, but did little to get to the bottom of the problem. The turnover of staff was high, with no leader to inject confidence and direction, leaving staff demoralised.

However, it was the children of Gibbonsdown who suffered.

I urge the Labour group to back up their decision of keeping our school open, with better resources, and good quality teachers. Gibbonsdown has always been a Labour stronghold, the council urgently need to start representing the people who put them in power.

Cllr Curtis stated that we are in a difficult position, because parents removed their children from Oak Field. No wonder, when their children’s education was second class!

As a member of the board of governors at Oak Field, perhaps Cllr Curtis can help bring in more finances. I have often admired your fundraising skills, paragliding, barbecues, cleaning up Barry Island and fair-trade. Perhaps you could channel your skills to benefit the children of Oak Field.

I am proud of the people who stood up for our children, and their parents. Let’s hope they can be utilised for a strong parent/teachers association, or come along and join the Gibbonsdown Residents Board, you would be made more than welcome.

Molly Conway Coychurch Rise Barry