“I would like to start off by praising the high quality of both the Teaching Staff and the Governing Body at Dafen School. I am proud to speak on their behalf and more importantly on the children’s behalf.
I recently visited Dafen School and found the Nursery Building raises many issues and concerns.
The building itself is encased in asbestos and 30 children are taught there daily where space is lacking and has no cupboard space. There is no Staff toilet so Staff cannot leave the children for their toileting needs the nearest toilet being the other end of the School. Also there is a very cramped, so called kitchen, with doors hanging off. When the radiators are turned on in the cold weather the windows shatter regularly. Outside the building the yard floods because of old drainage.
The Nursery is not fit for purpose.
With there being a need for more school places in Llanelli Schools, would it make more sense to demolish this building and build in its place a purpose built facility or supply demountables for all Foundation Phase pupils. Realistically, Dafen School should receive a new build so that small children are accommodated in line with the 21st century not this antiquated 1970’s building.
Due to an increase in pupil numbers the school is now over the Local Authority’s capacity. In the main building to my horror, the children are taught on the school stage and in 2 cloak rooms. The Library is now housed in the school hall. Despite the efforts of the Staff to try and make these areas attractive – this is not conducive to effective learning.
The school roof and cast iron drain pipes and fascia boards are pre-war, from the original 1938 build and in desperate need of replacement. There is an outside Teaching and Learning Area that is utilised daily and as the drain pipes from the roof are not connected to the drains, if you are unfortunate to find yourself too close you will receive a nice cold outside shower. Also there are still areas in the playground which are trip hazards and are in need of repair.
There are 2 classrooms facing this outside area and in 2016 an Architect visiting the school stated that openings could easily be cut into the existing walls and patio doors erected but this has fallen on deaf ears. This access to the outside learning area has been identified as an issue by both Estyn and no fewer than 4 Erw advisors.
In this year’s Leader’s Annual Report CCC has been celebrating the successes of building so many wonderful new school buildings.
Nobody at this time is asking for a new school. But when I see foundation phase pupils housed in such a shameful dilapidated building I find it difficult to think that this situation is acceptable – which it is not by any means.
Thank you Glynog for visiting the school recently, observing and walking through serious issues presented by Staff that day.
Obviously Dafen School is not on your list for future generations of education in Dafen School.
Where is Dafen School listed on the MEP”
Minutes:
Councillor R. Evans advised that he was withdrawing his question
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the withdrawal of the question be noted.