Clwyd MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to issue a statement on the future of independent schools following last week's announced closure of Ruthin School.
Speaking in yesterday's Business Statement, Darren said the loss of the historic school marks a devastating moment for Ruthin and raises serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of independent schools across Wales.
Calling for a Welsh Government Statement on the matter, he asked what action the Welsh Government will take to support those affected by the closure of Ruthin School.
He also raised the matter with the First Minister asking what discussions he is having with the Independent Schools Council in Wales about the challenges that independent schools are facing, and calling on him to petition, as a Welsh Government, the UK Government, "to reverse the damaging policies that are causing these closures, and the economic impact of that here in Wales?"
Speaking in the Senedd, he said:
"I would like to call for a statement on the future of independent schools in Wales. Just last week in Ruthinwe saw the announcement of the closure of Ruthin School. It survived 700 years, including the civil war, but it couldn't survive two years of a vindictive Labour Government introducing VAT on fees and scrapping charitable status and ramping up the cost of employment.
"Hundreds of pupils have been affected, hundreds of staff, suppliers, and of course the whole community in Ruthin is shocked, and this will have a devastating economic impact.
"I think what people need to know is what the Welsh Government is going to do to lobby for sensible change from the UK Government. And I would like to know what specifically is being done to support people that have been affected by the situation in terms of the announcement in Ruthin.
"We need to be sure that the Welsh Government will be just as reactive to the needs of the local community when job losses are announced in independent schools as they are in steel and other sectors."
Responding the Trefnydd, the Welsh Government’s Business Manager, said:
"The Member had an opportunity earlier this afternoon to ask a very similar question of the First Minister, and will have heard the First Minister's response. If there are any further considerations, I would ask you to write to the Minister for education."
Speaking after the meeting, Darren said:
"It is disappointing that the First Minister stated in his response that "our job is to support the state school sector now", overlooking the hundreds of pupils, staff and families whose lives have been impacted by the closure of Ruthin School.
"Those affected by this closure deserve a Welsh Government that is prepared to stand up to the UK Government when policies are damaging communities across Wales."
Watch Darren’s contribution in the Welsh Parliament below:
