Agenda item

QUESTION BY MR NIGEL HUGHES TO COUNCILLOR GARETH JONES, EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER FOR EDUCATION & CHILDREN

 “Parents have been subjected to many contradictions regarding the languages taught in reception classes leaving them confused and distressed at the impact this situation might be having on their children.

Gareth Jones has recently made a statement refuting the claims that 'Llangennech Infant's School has acted illegally in terms of language provision in the foundation phase.'

He goes onto state that 'The County wishes to reassure all parents that this allegation is completely untrue. Provision at the school is entirely appropriate and the school wishes to preform to high standards with pupils achieving good outcomes.'

It is interesting to note that this statement does not actually elucidate anything...but adds to the confusion.

Mr Rob Sully stated in the Scrutiny meeting of the 23rd May 2015 that Reception Classes were Welsh, but teachers at the new parents meeting held a couple of weeks ago were told it is taught in English Welsh English. 

Carmarthenshire County Council have also stated that reception class are welsh learning to some parents who have contacted them. The children’s homework and reading books are completely in welsh.

We are concerned that figures have been engineered and English Stream was not naturally declining but hurdles placed in parent’s way to achieve the Welsh Medium goal. Were the Local Authority aware about the false information being provided to parents about the reception classes and the differing views and also confirm the date it changed to Welsh, who proposed it and how was it communicated to affected persons such as parents?”

 

Minutes:

“Parents have been subjected to many contradictions regarding the languages taught in reception classes leaving them confused and distressed at the impact this situation might be having on their children.  Gareth Jones has recently made a statement refuting the claims that 'Llangennech Infant's School has acted illegally in terms of language provision in the foundation phase.' He goes onto state that 'The County wishes to reassure all parents that this allegation is completely untrue. Provision at the school is entirely appropriate and the school wishes to preform to high standards with pupils achieving good outcomes.'  It is interesting to note that this statement does not actually elucidate anything...but adds to the confusion.

 

Mr Rob Sully stated in the Scrutiny meeting of the 23rd May 2015 that Reception Classes were Welsh, but teachers at the new parents meeting held a couple of weeks ago were told it is taught in English Welsh English. 

 

Carmarthenshire County Council have also stated that reception class are welsh learning to some parents who have contacted them. The children’s homework and reading books are completely in Welsh.

 

We are concerned that figures have been engineered and English Stream was not naturally declining but hurdles placed in parent’s way to achieve the Welsh Medium goal. Were the Local Authority aware about the false information being provided to parents about the reception classes and the differing views and also confirm the date it changed to Welsh, who proposed it and how was it communicated to affected persons such as parents?”

 

Response by Councillor G.O. Jones, Executive Board Member for Education & Children:-

 

“I stand by the statement I made to the press a few weeks ago, to which Mr Hughes refers, on arrangements within the infants’ school. I also consider that the content of my statement is very clear.  My statement declared that “Llangennech Infants School has not acted illegally”, rather than what is presented in the written question.  The present arrangements in the school are that all pupils in the reception classes are taught principally through the medium of Welsh, with English used as a facilitator according to the needs of individual children.  Parents of pupils in Year 1 and Year 2 classes presently have the option to place their children in either the Welsh stream or the English stream.

 

These arrangements have been introduced through discussion between the school and parents. A Council officer was party to the discussions at the request of the school. As the initiative was progressed by the school I am not able to confirm the date on which the arrangements were introduced. All the data and figures used within the development of the proposal are factual.

Neither I nor the Education and Children’s Services Department are aware of any alleged false information being given to parents.”

 

Mr Hughes asked the following supplementary question:-

 

Who is going to be held accountable for this false advertisement which is seeing children leave the school now and the truth is emerging and the trust is lost?”

 

Response by Councillor G.O. Jones, Executive Board Member for Education & Children:-

 

“I understand your concerns with the comments you made.  I am not aware of the e-mail and will deal with that when I see the e-mail.”

 

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