Ceredigion Labour Party members are urging everyone in the south of the county to support a primary school’s fight for survival.

And they have urged Ceredigion County Council to listen to the views of the public during the consultation into the potential closure of Ysgol Trewen.

“Otherwise it is just another token exercise to manipulate decisions about public spending, as we saw in the pre-determined conclusion to the consultation on the closure of Bodlondeb Residential Home in north Ceredigion,” said a spokesperson.

Dinah Mulholland, Welsh Labour’s candidate in the 2017 General Election, said: “Ceredigion County Council has an opportunity here to show that they are willing to listen to parents, local communities and campaigners for our rural schools and the Welsh language.”

Welsh Labour members say Ceredigion Schools Service’s assertion that the Welsh Government’s New Schools Organisation Code was taken into account during the review held into Trewen and Beulah schools means that there should have been a presumption against closure and that no school could be closed until ‘all valid options’ had been explored.

Parent Liz Kempton, who is leading the campaign to try to save Ysgol Trewen, said: “The county council is obliged to explore the options we have presented to them, namely three simple steps that would reinvigorate the school and give it a viable future.

“One, take away the threat of closure. Two, start a Meithrin in the school for two to four-year-olds. Three, provide transport from Adpar under the Safe Routes to School’ Welsh Government scheme.

“The council is obliged to explore these options,” she said.

“It is worth adding there is a new housing development under way in Adpar and no room in Ysgol y Ddwylan for any more children.

“Unfortunately, many of the points submitted during the public consultation period were not addressed in the consultation report.”

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