Cwmcarn asbestos school report ‘imminent,’ parents told

3:40pm Friday 1st March 2013 in Gwent news

PROTEST: Councillors were lobbied at a meeting this week PROTEST: Councillors were lobbied at a meeting this week

ABOUT 100 children have left Cwmcarn High since the school temporarily moved to Ebbw Vale, and the school has lost funding for these pupils, it was revealed at this week’s council meeting.

Risca councillor David Rees asked about the situation at Wednesday’s full Caerphilly council meeting, where officers confirmed that funding for those pupils will now go to their new schools.

Corporate director of education Sandra Aspinall also said Cwmcarn’s future could be resolved soon, saying a management report on the asbestos problem was “imminent”.

Campaigners chanted “save our school” to councillors arriving for Wednesday’s budget, with organiser Kelly East saying many had ignored their requests for help beforehand.

She said: ‘Most won’t get involved. We have knocked their doors and some have even hidden, so we decided to go to the meeting and badger them.

“There has been a feeling they have wanted to close it since I was there in 1989, either to build a new Welsh-medium school on the site or now under its 21st Century Schools Programme.”

Caerphilly council plans to close three schools in the borough in the next two years, to tackle surplus places that are predicted to rise to 4,000 by 2022.

However, serious discussions on which schools will close have not yet begun. And with those remaining of Cwmcarn’s 900 pupils not able to continue attending their temporary home in Ebbw Vale past this July, their situation needs to be resolved first.

Campaigners stayed at the budget meeting for around an hour, before waiting outside, asking councillors to sign their petition as they left.

A spokesman for the Save Cwmcarn group said that around 20 members signed the petition, while chief executive Anthony O’Sullivan stopped to chat to protesters, although he told them he was unable to add his name because of his position.

Comments(25)

The_Vulcan says...
4:21pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Ok so 100 pupils have left the school what's the point of reopening it. There's Newbridge Comp and Risca Comp near by. Save a few quid Caerfilthy council.

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
4:41pm Fri 1 Mar 13

That amazingly shows your complete lack of understanding for the entire situation.
1. That means jobs of the teachers being cut - could easily be in double figures.
2. They have not left under normal circumstances. Transition between schools takes place regularly due to numerous reasons but never in that numbers.
3. Cwmcarn is in no way a failing school as their exam results pertain to. Lets remember how unstable the banding is before anyone else chooses to bring it up.
4. Our end of Caerphilly is always overlooked so it is pointless arguing as 3 separate entities, we should be united before they attack us. Of all the areas we have the third out of four highest surplus places. We should be united together. We should be seeing what we can do to bring more families out way. Lets not forget in geography how close oakdale is to newbridge. If a school closer with higher surplus places but not of the three was to shut a significant migration of children to our way would occur thus reducing surplus places.

4. Caerphilly are trying to play games - divide and conquer. Will we in islwyn allow them to do that? I hope not

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R Price 1999 says...
4:45pm Fri 1 Mar 13

The point of re-opening the school is... Itis the best performing school in the Caerphilly Borough. Parents have the right to choose where their children are educated and if parents wanted to choose Newbridge or Risca then neither would currently have surplus spaces. Please do not make stupid remarks. Children who are currently having to make the trip to Ebbwvale are still trying to achieve a very good education in these difficult times. I suggest that you make yourself aware of the Ensafe and HSE reports that are available and you will soon come to the conclusion that this school has been closed unlawfully and should be opened as a matter of urgency.

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Bem1978 says...
4:46pm Fri 1 Mar 13

The point is that many of those 100 want to return for a start. Visible by their attendance in cwmcarn uniform on Monday at the march in the village.

Secondly because there are still 800 remaining at the TEMPORARY location of the pupils and staff at ebbw vale.

Thirdly because parents have the right to choose where their child is educated and if Risca was their choice it would be more than half full.

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xjohnnyx says...
5:00pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Ok 100 pupils left, funding stops. Dont this happen in other schools? Yes it does. Cwmcarn is a foundation school. that means having your own money to run your own budget. If cwmcarn decides to spend their budget other ways rather than on the kids well that is up to the school. Strange how they can suddenly afford the new building they had done. Yet they are underfunded. . I noticed a comment on their page today on the save Cwmcarn site. they were not invited to a st Davids day gathering today. YES THEY WERE ASK to attend. I suggest you ask your HEAD FOR THE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT TO HERE. I WILL GET A COPY AND POST ON YOUR WALL FOR YOU ALL TO SEE. They seem to forget parents of children who also work in other schools also have children who go to Cwmcarn school. Cwmcarn seem to be protesting and haven't even been told they are closing.. Why should we tax payers be paying money out for your school when there are perfectly good schools around you with good grades.

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Bem1978 says...
5:25pm Fri 1 Mar 13

I don't think you really understand how a school budget works? Who do you think pays the teachers who teach the children?

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
5:26pm Fri 1 Mar 13

xjohnnyx wrote:
Ok 100 pupils left, funding stops. Dont this happen in other schools? Yes it does. Cwmcarn is a foundation school. that means having your own money to run your own budget. If cwmcarn decides to spend their budget other ways rather than on the kids well that is up to the school. Strange how they can suddenly afford the new building they had done. Yet they are underfunded. . I noticed a comment on their page today on the save Cwmcarn site. they were not invited to a st Davids day gathering today. YES THEY WERE ASK to attend. I suggest you ask your HEAD FOR THE EMAIL THAT WAS SENT TO HERE. I WILL GET A COPY AND POST ON YOUR WALL FOR YOU ALL TO SEE. They seem to forget parents of children who also work in other schools also have children who go to Cwmcarn school. Cwmcarn seem to be protesting and haven't even been told they are closing.. Why should we tax payers be paying money out for your school when there are perfectly good schools around you with good grades.
It is frustrating when a portion of facts are being understood and others ignored. Very few schools will have a migration of 100 pupils at a single instance in particular when it is not of their own doing. A school within the borough lost a significant number about 7 years ago when the school entered special measures. Cwmcarn has not it is recognised by ESTYN under the current more rigorous inspection framework as a GOOD school. It's level 2 indicators are good.

It is the lowest funded school in Caerphilly. So as one of the councillors rightfully raised - that could be costing CCBC an extra £90,000 a year for those 100 children to leave (your tax rate is going up by 2.3% this year by the way).

I think you will also find before you comment on buildings that no new building has been placed since 2008 - this was as a result of significant financial management by the head - FYI a growing school needs more buildings - makes sense - yes?

All other schools have new builds and renovation paid for by the borough - why ae you chastising a school who 5 years scrimped and saved to be able to put that new building up.

Also you need to look at the cost of repair needed to ALL schools in Caerphilly - Cwmcarn is bang in the middle - meaning repair to six other other schools is going to cost you as a tax payer far more than it would other schools. If you want to throw your good money after bad.

I support the closure of no schools and believe it could be better managed than 3 closures.

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N M jO 1973 says...
5:30pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Cwmcarn is a top performing School and should reopen as it has been proved that it was wrongly closed in the first place. I chose to send my Child to Cwmcarn because that is my choice as a parent. The Council should think about shuting another School i could mention that is under occiuped by at least half and under performing. Our school is the lowest funded in the whole of the Bourogh. lets bring and has the best results in the borough

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angrybird2097 says...
5:40pm Fri 1 Mar 13

If there are other perfectly good schools in the area to go to how come they are half empty and parents want their children to go to cwmcarn and I happen to be a tax payer and I want my money to go to the school I choose to send my children to and not subsidise schools that are half empty. Its not rocket science. If you have an email etc then I would put it on the save cwmcarn website because I can assure u we are only interested in the truth and want clarity at the end of the day!!!

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
5:50pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Lets also not be naive and forget the head could possibly be in the original recipients but if it is a Caerphilly.gov.uk or org.uk email address then they have overall control over the inboxes. I can not nor would I suggest that such a thing would be done - but you could see how people with savvy could manipulate this situation?

Also if there was an invite (?) I am surely it may have been lost in the wealth of electronic communication I am sure she receiving of offers to support her in this unjust dispersal of our children.

Please can we all just wise up and realise we need to be united in our fight o keep all 3 Islwyn schools open.

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Bem1978 says...
6:20pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Because of the young people so anxious for their school, for themselves and for their friends, who do not act aggressively, do not act in an intimidating way, but who wear their uniform with pride when they march for their school with signs they've made over their weekends.

Because of the staff who drive all over South Wales on a daily basis to school, to parents evenings, to extra tutoring and mentoring sessions. Because of staff whose fuel costs (albeit subsidised in PART) and childcare costs have risen, whose stress levels have rocketed.

And because of parents who desperately seek answers to questions they have asked for 5 months but whose spirits are not crushed.

And because of the ccbc cleaner who was happy to tell the parents at ty penallta "I went to Newbridge so f*** off" I would be proud to be part of the cwmcarn community!

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
6:44pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Bem1978 wrote:
Because of the young people so anxious for their school, for themselves and for their friends, who do not act aggressively, do not act in an intimidating way, but who wear their uniform with pride when they march for their school with signs they've made over their weekends.

Because of the staff who drive all over South Wales on a daily basis to school, to parents evenings, to extra tutoring and mentoring sessions. Because of staff whose fuel costs (albeit subsidised in PART) and childcare costs have risen, whose stress levels have rocketed.

And because of parents who desperately seek answers to questions they have asked for 5 months but whose spirits are not crushed.

And because of the ccbc cleaner who was happy to tell the parents at ty penallta "I went to Newbridge so f*** off" I would be proud to be part of the cwmcarn community!
And this is why we will return home. Because....

Well said Bem1978!

It is a shame people choose to attack other than support.

Our passion and commitment will bring this great school back to whe it belongs - as the beating heart of a great community

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xjackiex says...
7:37pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Would all Cwmcarn supporters help to support other schools in your area if the same situation happen to them. All i have heard off people and also seen on the save Cwmcarn site is a bunch of parents slagging off other schools around. and then wanting people to support them.
If a child wants to work hard for their exams they will do this regardless in what school they are in. Why should ccbc pay for the asbestos to be done. Cwm carn decided to become independent yet want ccbc to cough up the bill. IF YOUR NOT HAPPY WITH THE SITUATION SEND YOUR KIDS TO ROUGEMONT. OR IS THAT SCHOOL NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD.

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
7:56pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Yet another naive comment. You will find very few people have slagged off any schools if any - that is quite slanderous and ridiculous to put out there.

Are you not reading that we need to fight to save all 3 islwyn schools. Also it is proven children WILL perform differently in different schools. If it was just down to a child working hard for exams - no inspections etc would matter. Please can we act like adults and not spout off unfounded statements. Lets use our intelligence. Caerphilly CBC want us to argue. STOP!!!

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
7:56pm Fri 1 Mar 13

Yet another naive comment. You will find very few people have slagged off any schools if any - that is quite slanderous and ridiculous to put out there.

Are you not reading that we need to fight to save all 3 islwyn schools. Also it is proven children WILL perform differently in different schools. If it was just down to a child working hard for exams - no inspections etc would matter. Please can we act like adults and not spout off unfounded statements. Lets use our intelligence. Caerphilly CBC want us to argue. STOP!!!

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bobmech1 says...
7:57am Sat 2 Mar 13

All this bickering is working in CBCC favour
Some people prefer their children to go to Risca, Newbridge etc
Our children went or wanted to go to Cwmcarn as is their choice
The school has an ethos of family values and good education, with staff, children and parents all working to create a learning and caring environment, the values that give a child a good grounding in life
As to the comments about the new buildings, A new classroom block a refurbished kitchen, dinning facilities a needed arts/assembly/teachi
ng block all sourced through financial management whilst CBCC refused to assist with maintainence of the school whilst paying for other schools repairs, Risca, Newbridge and Oakdale to mention a few. Underfunding each child to the tune of Approximately £900 per child, multiply that by approx 900 pupils and that money could have been used over the years to maintainence and upkeep of the school and thus a lot of the fabric of the school would be much better
CBCC have a contract with the school for the maintainence of the school grounds so why do they also discriminate against the school
I understand there removing asbestos from Risca school so why haven't they shut that?
Please people support each other as when this is finally over other schools in the area will be closing so they will be in the same position and need support
Support Each Other as you could be next
Ultimately it the children that will suffer and they should come first, by being taught in a school that puts there needs and education before politics

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TanyaW says...
10:54am Sat 2 Mar 13

@Bem1978 Yes, it was me the cleaner said it to :-O she is someone else that doesn't have children and doesn't realise how much this is affecting them.


@xjackiex but CCBC are more than happy to take the revenue from the leisure centre attached to the school. So shouldn't they also be responsible for the repairs?

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pricesa1968 says...
9:56am Sun 3 Mar 13

We could talk around peoples thoughts all day long.

We need to focus on the facts: The school was closed because there was a threat of asbestos which could harm.

We have received two reports to the contrary and now waiting on a Management Report for the 'options' !

There are no options other than repair the building and staff and pupils return to the site.

This is what we as supporters will fight to the end.

It is just unbelievable that even Councillors and Assembly are still unaware that these other reports exist. They are given the information they need by C.C.B.C.....not all the information it seems.

I have been very naive to think we live in democracy !

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Cwmderi says...
2:01pm Sun 3 Mar 13

I believe that the pupils of Cwmcarn have been treated appallingly by the indecision and lack of information by CCBC. I also believe that the political voice of Cllr Passmore, the CCBC Cabinet Member for Education from Risca has not been heard in this whole fiasco(We wonder why)
The Cabinet Member for Educationshould be the leading influence in inorming pupils, parents and staff at every stage of this ongoing saga but her guidance and silence has been deafening.
Might I also suggest that parents and supporters of Cwmcarn use more facts when making public statements. Some of the inaccurate statements being posted will only provide ammunition to those with an alternative agenda.
*Whichever measure you use (Banding or GCSE results), Cwmcarn is not the top performing school in CCB. There is an abundance of information on all school results, banding, etc available on Google website and it would be helpful if someone within the Cwmcarn group pulled all these comparitors together and therebye provide factual information to support their case. .

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
2:22pm Sun 3 Mar 13

There are lies, **** lies and statistics. How do we measure the value or quality of a school? Some say banding - some say ESTYN reports (you can not compare old to new style inspections), some say their GCSE results, some will say value added, some will say free school meals. To me the way you measure a school is by what it means to its community. Cwmcarn are having to fight for their school to return as the heart of their community. We are fighting no more or less than any other school which could have been put in this position.

The school has no issue with other schools; some parents may have worn their heart on their sleeve and expressed their beliefs - is that wrong? We undervalue the power of that type of passion too often in society.

All the council have been too quiet and I say that as fact. I truly believe that no schools should be shut - yes there are surplus places but that should be seen as an opportunity to incorporate every school deeper within the community. Think of the endless possibilities.

I also believe the Islwyn schools should all be fighting to bring Cwmcarn home; as a triumvirate of schools there would be no better if they work together. Excellent work is carried out in all different areas across the spectrum including the offer of post 16 provision in a school environment. Are we missing a golden opportunity to bring us out as an example of leading practise of co-operation and unity? Divided we fall...

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TanyaW says...
3:01pm Sun 3 Mar 13

@Bernie Woodward1

Very well said!

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Taffyswales says...
7:07pm Sun 3 Mar 13

I know I wont win any fans by saying this but my view on the situation is this. 1. if all the pupils that are effectively "bused" into the school from outside of its catchment were made to return to their nearest school it would render their numbers considerably down. 2. If ths school is as they say "Foundation Status" and they in fact own the land and buildings, as stated in earlier reports, they why are the tax payers of caerphilly footing the bill for any works within the school. 3. If point 2 is accurate then again why are tax payers footing a £1.5 million transport bill for ferrying the pupils to Ebbw Vale. 4. If the buildings are really not "fit for purpose" then surely it is in the best interest of the pupils to be taught in surroundings that are more suited to their needs.

I know there are a lot of people that will cry me down for these views but I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking it.

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Bernie Woodward1 says...
8:56pm Sun 3 Mar 13

Taffyswales wrote:
I know I wont win any fans by saying this but my view on the situation is this. 1. if all the pupils that are effectively "bused" into the school from outside of its catchment were made to return to their nearest school it would render their numbers considerably down. 2. If ths school is as they say "Foundation Status" and they in fact own the land and buildings, as stated in earlier reports, they why are the tax payers of caerphilly footing the bill for any works within the school. 3. If point 2 is accurate then again why are tax payers footing a £1.5 million transport bill for ferrying the pupils to Ebbw Vale. 4. If the buildings are really not "fit for purpose" then surely it is in the best interest of the pupils to be taught in surroundings that are more suited to their needs.

I know there are a lot of people that will cry me down for these views but I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking it.
Not crying down - hopefully just help iron out some inaccuracies.

1. A lot less people are buses in from out of catchment also all people have a choice - not really fair to just remove that choice.

2. Foundation schools are only accountable for work under £10k. All other works should be carried out by Borough. CCBC have included Cwmcarn in all of their asset management plans therefore presuming a level of accountability (if not why include them?)

3. the bus bill was decided democratically - not the ideal solution for anyone - but it was claims the school was on a flood plain and could not hold temporary buildings whilst the building was fixed which surely would have made more sense and cost about the same price to date?
4. In the above asset management plan, 6 other secondary school buildings required more money spent on them to bring then up to an acceptable standard.

Not crying down, hoping to help with some wider facts

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N M jO 1973 says...
8:20am Mon 4 Mar 13

Why should Children of Cwmcarn be made to go to local Schools Their choice should not be taking away from them. Not forgetting the fact that the School was wrongfully closed on a inaccurate report. We are living in 2013 not the era of world war 2 now.

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Robert Shillabeer says...
3:54pm Tue 5 Mar 13

The danger from asbestos is widely known about. Thurrock CC have just been find £50,000 because they failed to act on a report of asbestos in one of their schools. The HSE have looked at the Cwmcarn situation and the HSE Lab has said the level is well inside acceptable levels. The original report was from a company with some sort of interest as they clean such sites up. The council were faced with a difficult problem of do they or don't they, they were condemned whatever decision they made and rightly decided on the safer choice to not run the risk of life threatening disease of lung cancer over up to thirty years. Hopefully the school which appears to have a very good record will continue to be the centre of excellence it is claimed to be, but plaeas try and understand the difficult position the council found itself in.

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