DISGRUNTLED Machynlleth parents have accused Ysgol Bro Hyddgen chiefs of withdrawing a “safety net” with the announcement that the reception-stage English-language stream would be closed.

The claim was made at a meeting called by parents on Monday night. Held at Y Plas, it attracted more than 100 people.

It was arranged because parents were left stunned after receiving a letter saying that governors had made the decision to give youngsters the “benefit” of a bilingual education, although in a statement to the Cambrian News it was claimed the decision had been taken because of low pupil numbers for the English stream.

After a public meeting heard from chair of governors Huw Morgan that the decision had only been taken “in principle” and to combat continuing funding cuts, parents warned that the move could see youngsters who start in the Welsh-language stream, and who are struggling, left without an alternative option.

There were also concerns that the decision had been revealed to parents after the deadline for applying for school places and that youngsters who had been expected to start in the English stream could be left either having to enter the Welsh stream or move to another school if places are available.

A petition which has been set up in the town has currently attracted more than 330 signatures objecting to the removal of the reception-level English stream, with almost 62 per cent of those people saying they are Welsh speakers.

David Holt, one of the parents who organised the meeting, said he was concerned that the move was the first step to abandoning the school’s English-language stream.

He said: “The school we cherish should represent the community.”

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