I WOULD like to add my name to the strong objections to the Labour-led Vale of Glamorgan Council’s plans to merge Cadoxton Nursery with Cadoxton Primary school.

I am deeply saddened and shocked to learn that the cabinet have given the green light to the merger as it has been proven in evidence that nursery schools in deprived areas operate better as a stand-alone unit.

It was crucial that they remained as a stand-alone unit to enable a focus on the children and help parents as the around 500-strong petition pointed out. I just wonder how much the decision makers really considered the objections without just saving money on top of their agenda?

One must ask had the Labour-led cabinet already made up its mind?

Like many of the objectors, I have to agree in saying that this move is not in the best interests of the nursery school. All this will really save is the nursery school’s head teachers wages which is quite small in comparison to the quality and time given to this school.

How can the cabinet member honestly sit there and say this will improve outcomes when the reality is the school will become a much bigger unit to manage and will not provide a small enough focus on these young children when this nursery provides such a good foundation in an area of such deprivation.

I believe that this is totally the wrong move and is just about putting cuts before the education of these young children. A stand-alone nursery was and still is a much better option for the disadvantaged area of Cadoxton.

This is a bad decision and a real let down for the community and I would urge you all to bear this in mind come next year’s local elections.

Councillor Richard Bertin

Independent

Vale of Glamorgan Council