Sixth Forms

I have written to the Education quango ELWA asking them to explain controversial long-term plans for English-language post-16 Education in the Rhondda which have been drawn up by a consultancy working for the organisation.

ELWA’s consultants ‘TRIBAL’ have published plans which appear to suggest for the Rhondda:

- centralisation of tertiary education in Porth
- apparent ending of sixth forms at Treorchy, Tonypandy and Ferndale
- a downgrading of Coleg Morgannwg’s Llwynypia campus.

As well as ELWA, I have written to RCT Education Cabinet member Mike Forey and Education Minister Jane Davidson asking for clarification of the proposals.

I want ELWA to explain its consultants’ plans and tell us what is going on. Rhondda Cynon Taff Council is currently undertaking a consultation on the future of secondary education locally. It is madness to see alternative plans being put forward while this is going on. Leaving aside the content of the document, the process itself has been cack-handed.

ELWA is being abolished next April, when it is being merged with the Welsh Assembly Government. I have written to the Education Minister about the matter.

I have also written to RCT’s Cabinet Member for Education Mike Forey asking how ELWA’s thinking fits with the consultation RCT is currently running.

A lot of parents and teachers will be concerned at what is proposed. I’m not saying all the proposals are bad – there are interesting ideas for the Rhondda Fach, for example, in terms of a skills centre in Ferndale. But it is bizarre to have these proposals coming forward while RCT’s own consultation is going on.