Survey To Gather Views On Local Demand For Welsh Medium Education

Bridgend County Borough Council has launched a public consultation to gather views on the local demand for Welsh medium education. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The online survey, which can be completed at www.bridgend.gov.uk/consultation, will help the council to understand how satisfied residents are with the current provision and assess whether more needs to be done so that parents can choose a Welsh language education for future generations. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

There are currently several Welsh language Cylch Meithrin’s for pre-schoolers throughout the county borough, as well as four Welsh medium primary schools – Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cynwyd Sant, Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sger and Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw, which will be moving from its ageing site in Pontycymer to a brand new state-of-the-art facility next to Betws Primary School in January 2019. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Then, of course, there is one secondary school, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, which opened its doors in September 2008. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Councillor Huw David, the new Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council, said: “It is every parent’s right to choose an education taught through the medium of Welsh for their children. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We were extremely proud to open Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, and are excited about the relocation of Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Cwm Garw as that move will result in greater opportunities and facilities that will benefit the school’s pupils. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We now want to gather views on what our next priorities should be to ensure that we can meet future demand for Welsh education in Bridgend County Borough. We are particularly interested in any barriers that may be preventing parents from sending their children to a Welsh language school. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“For example, are the current schools too far from where you live? Or is there a lack of access to wrap-around childcare that prevents you from choosing a particular school? ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This is a major consultation on a very important issue, so I would urge as many people as possible to have their say. I’d also like to stress that this survey is aimed at everyone, whether you currently send your child to a Welsh language school or not. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Perhaps you don’t have any children yet, but hope to start a family one day; share your views so that we can start taking steps now that could greatly benefit future generations.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​