National Assembly for Wales

Rural Development Sub-Committee

Inquiry into the reorganisation of schools in rural Wales

Call for evidence

The Rural Development Sub-committee is undertaking a short focused inquiry into the provision of education in rural Wales and the reorganisation of schools in rural Wales and is calling for those with an interest or expertise in this area to submit written evidence.

Background

The organisation of educational provision is the responsibility of Local Education Authorities (LEA).  The Welsh Assembly Government’s role is to provide a framework and guidance to schools with regards to the management of that provision, and can direct LEAs to bring forward proposals for school reorganisation if it is concluded that there is either surplus or insufficient provision.  The driver is often surplus places, the condition of school buildings and the heavy curriculum responsibilities often placed on a small number of teachers.

Scope of inquiry

The Sub-committee’s inquiry will examine the adequacy and interpretation of the guidance provided by the Welsh Assembly Government in relation to the management of education in rural areas, focusing specifically on the reorganisation of schools in rural Wales, which is an issue of social and political significance across communities in Wales.

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.

Please submit your views to Claire Morris, Clerk to the Rural Development Sub-committee, at sustainability.comm@wales.gsi.gov.uk by Monday 30 June.