PARENTS from a Torfaen primary school have come out fighting against possible plans to close the school in 2017.

The future of Abersychan's Victoria Primary School will be discussed at a council meeting on Tuesday morning with the future of the 216 pupil-school at risk.

Keri Harris, 34, of Manor Way, Abersychan, said she is worried about the future of educational standards in the village.

“This is our children’s future we are thinking about here,” said Mrs Harris.

“Their education in the early years is vital to ensure they have a bright future. If class sizes are increased, how will they receive a top quality education?”

The possible closure is part of the 21st Century School Programme – a Welsh Government initiative to improve learning across the country.

The future of Brynteg Nursery is also in the balance under the scheme.

The school is situated just off the main road leading to world heritage site Blaenavon, and the possibility of a boarded up school may deter visitors if this plan goes ahead, Mrs Harris also suggested.

“How will this look for our community if Victoria Primary becomes disused?" she added.

"Businesses will suffer and tourists will get a bad impression of Abersychan.

“We cannot allow this to happen.”

Husband and wife Gareth, 39, and Stephanie Williams, 37, of Snatchwood View, Abersychan, have taken the fight online, with support pouring in from across the UK.

“Our online petition is approaching 500 signatures and they have come from as far away as Scotland, Liverpool and London,” said Mrs Williams, who has one son at the school and another starting in 2016, currently at Brynteg.

“Despite being a small community school, we have managed to go viral and reach a wider range of people. It is sad as this would be the second primary school to close in three years.”

Mr Williams believes that the modern approach to education is not always better, and the idea of bigger, modern schools is not always totally effective after doing his own research.

Another mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was concerned by what she called a lack of information from the council.

“We have not been consulted about this proposal and we are all concerned about our children’s futures,” she said.

The proposal is to increase the student numbers at primary schools in Garnteg and Cwmffrwdoer, should the closure plan go ahead.

Councillor David Yeowell, Torfaen’s executive member of education said on the plans: “This is the next phase to transform education in the borough and will mean significant improvement in our school stock.

"The proposal represents an investment of £8million to ensure we have the right schools in the right place and of the right size."