Controversy over new posts after school closes down (From Free Press Series)

Controversy over new posts after school closes down

STAFF at a Gwent school that will close next year claim the local education authority is leaving them in limbo over their futures.

Teachers at Trevethin Community School in a letter to Torfaen LEA say they are being "virtually ignored".

Education minister Jane Davidson decided in September to close the school after Torfaen's cabinet voted to shut it and move pupils to two other Pontypool comprehensives, West Monmouth and Abersychan.

Ms Davidson said the school had become "too small to be viable, financially or educationally" after pupil numbers dropped to below 400.

A massive public protest in Pontypool in 2004 saw hundreds of pupils and parents march on the civic centre.

David Miller, 54, who has taught at the school for 33 years, said teachers and parents were told staff would move with pupils to other schools in Torfaen.

But he claims Trevethin teachers were not informed when posts became available at West Mon.

Parent and governor Barrie Pearce said: "Children need to have the same teachers around them."

Teachers wrote to the LEA in early January to raise their concerns and asked to meet education officials. But they say they have received no reply.

But Councillor John Turner, executive member for education, said "over 20" one-to-one meetings with staff had taken place, with more planned, including as a group.

Councillor Turner said a letter was sent to teachers detailing latest information and a date for a staff meeting. He said staff could "express an interest in early retirement or voluntary redundancy."

The three posts at West Mon were "advertised before we had alerted the head and governors of the position of Trevethin staff." He said the Trevethin head was told when five more vacancies arose.