TWO Torfaen schools fighting for their futures were dealt a blow when they were refused a judicial review at an oral hearing today.

Campaigners representing Abersychan Brynteg Nursery School and Victoria Primary School attended the session at the Civil Justice Centre, along with representatives from Torfaen council, in Cardiff.

The closure of the schools is part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools Programme, and will see them shut down in time for start of the academic year in September 2017.

The Honourable Justice Lewis presided over the hearing, which followed the rejection of the campaigners’ paper application for a judicial review in June.

Representing the campaigners, Nicholas Bowen, appearing via video link, told the court that his case referred to periods of consultation regarding the expansion of Cwmffrwdoer and Garnteg school - in relation to the potential closure of Victoria - and a failure to include details about an alternative option to closing the school.

“The first consultation document referred to the expansion of Garnteg and Cwmffrwdoer and children at those schools were asked questions on how they would feel if further children were to join their school,” he said.

Mr Bowen added that this was followed by a second consultation document, which included the aspect of Victoria closing ‘at a later date’.

“Children were consulted on their views from the two schools on the first document, and not the second, which would, if it went ahead, affect their schools,” he added.

Paul Greatorex, representing Torfaen council, confirmed that the children from Garnteg and Cwmffrwdoer were not consulted again for the second document, as they believed they would get the same responses.

“The cabinet were satisfied that based on the responses from the first exercise, the responses would have been fairly similar to the second,” he said.

In summary, the Hon. Justice Lewis admitted that Torfaen council had made errors regarding the consultation process, but accepted the view that consultation exercise would have drawn the same responses.

“It is accepted that Torfaen council did not go back to the pupils at Garnteg and Cwmffrwdoer to carry out the consultation exercise with them about the closure of Victoria Primary School,” he said.

But it was, he added, his legal discretion that the responses from the first consultation would be similar for the second, had it arisen, prompting his refusal of the case.

The legal team representing the campaigners, led by Mr Bowen, confirmed that they would be launching an appeal over the decision.