DEFIANT parents whose children attend Ysgol Cwmgors are taking to the streets this week with a protest march against the proposed school closure.

Angered at the possibility of their children being transferred to neighbouring Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, by September, parents are determined to keep the school gates firmly open.

Protest leader, Sheryl Hartley, of 11 Llwynhen Road, is fearful that if the school closes she may be forced to send her two children, Kitty, six, and Jacob, five, to Ysgol Tairgwaith due to transport issues.

“If the decision comes to close the school, the council will not provide transport for my children to go to Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Gwaun-cae-Gurwen, they will be expected to walk,” said Mrs Hartley.

“The only other option is to send them to Ysgol Tairgwaith, where they would be entitled to free transport, but that would mean a lot of their classes would be taught in English. I do not want that for my children.

“The closure of Ysgol Cwmgors will affect their education, and that is not fair to them.”

Also firmly against the school closure is Neath Port Talbot Councillor Linda Williams, who states that closing the school would cause unnecessary disruption to the education of children at Ysgol Cwmgors’ education.

“How much more disruption to the children’s education is sustainable in the area?” said Cllr Williams.

“In the past 17 years the area has seen four school closures and a school transfer.

“The present Gwaun Cae Gurwen primary school was built in 1938 as a secondary modern, when comprehensive schools came into being, the secondary modern was closed and Year One and Year Two pupils from Cwmtawe Comprehensive were placed in the building.

“The new Cwmtawe Comprehensive School was built and the Year One and Two pupils were transferred to Pontardawe, the Gwaun cae Gurwen Primary in the centre of the village was closed and pupils transferred to the 1938 building which was built for older children of 11-15 years.

“Two years ago the Glyn school closed.

“With the decline of children’s numbers and with the Welsh Government legislation classing schools of less than 90 children as small schools, every county in Wales will suffer from closures, but playing drafts with children of the Upper Amman Valley, disrupting their education does not give the children the educational provision they deserve."

A spokesmanperson from Neath Port Talbot Council said: “The local authority is constantly reviewing its school organisation programme.

“All proposals regarding school reorganisation are subject to member approval and full consultation with stakeholders, including meetings with key stakeholders, governors, staff, pupils, parents, teaching associations and trade unions."