A FAMILY has blamed the closure of a high-performing school for making it difficult for their four-year-old to get a place at a primary near their home.

Varteg dad Ryan Barrett said his son Dominic had no guaranteed place at any school in Torfaen until they reopened this week.

Mr Barrett said headteachers were away during the summer so could not be contacted and Torfaen Local Education Authority told his family records showed the primary schools were full.

The family wanted their son to go a school a short distance away from their home.

But the Sky engineer believes the closure of Pontnewynydd Primary about 10 minutes away from Varteg meant it put extra pressure on schools near the town and Dominic could not get a place at any of them.

Mr Barrett, 31, of Varteg Road, said: “It is crazy to close schools when there aren’t enough places.

“A year without school is unacceptable in my opinion.”

Earlier this week, Dominic was offered a place at Ysgol Panteg in Griffithstown, but his parents felt it was too far from home.

They had previously applied for a place at George Street Primary in Pontypool, which is about 10 minutes away by car.

Mr Barrett said they were told the school was full and there was a waiting list.

But on Wednesday, Mr Barrett's partner Stacy was told Dominic could start at George Street the following day.

Mr Barrett said: “Before the holiday we were told there was no space and a waiting list, so we were really surprised when they told us there was a place at George Street. It’s a positive outcome.”

The Argus reported this year how parents collected nearly 300 signatures in a last ditch attempt to avert the closure of Pontnewynydd Primary, but it shut this summer.

Pontnewynydd Primary was ranked as 'excellent' when it was last inspected by Estyn in 2011.

Torfaen council said earlier this year the Pontnewynydd proposals formed part of the council’s 21st Century Schools programme aiming to ensure Torfaen has schools that are fit for purpose, of the right size and in the right location.

The family had also applied for a place at another primary school Victoria Primary in Abersychan but were not successful.

A council spokesman said: "The closing date for applications was 30 January. This particular application was received five months after the closing date, on June 30, by which time the school was oversubscribed. A place has been approved at the next nearest school with capacity."