Committee to hold inquiry into reorganisation of rural schools in Wales

The Assembly’s Rural Development Sub-Committee is to begin an inquiry into provision of rural education in Wales and the reorganisation of rural schools.

Members will hear evidence from Powys Community Schools Action at a meeting in Committee Room 3, Senedd, at 11.15am on Wednesday June 4.

The inquiry will focus in particular on the following areas:

• the educational context of rural schools;

• whether there are any wider social and educational issues associated with rural school reorganisation, such as the impact on rural communities, families and children and how this is taken into consideration as part of the decision-making process;

• examples of reorganisation in rural Wales and elsewhere to understand the experiences and learn from any innovative approaches;

• existing and proposed Welsh Assembly Government policy and guidance and whether they adequately deal with the wider issues that may be associated with the reorganisation of rural schools; and

• the role of Estyn in reporting on schools and LEAs.

Alun Davies AM, Chair of the Sub-Committee, said: “I’m very aware of the importance of this issue to thousands of people in hundreds of communities across the whole of Wales. This will be a short, focused inquiry and we are very keen to hear the views of those affected by the reorganisation of rural schools. This is a vital social and political issue for everyone in Wales.”