Concerns have been made with the Children’s Commissioner regarding the unsuitability of accommodation at a Denbighshire primary school.
Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has asked the Children’s Commissioner to step in to resolve accommodation issues at Ysgol Pen Barras in Ruthin. Darren visited the school over the summer to meet with Huw Thomas of Cyfeillion Pen Barras, a local campaign for improved facilities at the school, which has cramped mobile classrooms and inadequate canteen facilities for staff and pupils.
Cyfeillion Pen Barras have published a detailed report – Ysgol Pen Barras: A Case for Change – on the condition of the school in order to encourage action from Denbighshire County Council to address their concerns.
Despite concerns being raised with Denbighshire County Council a number of months ago, there has been no improvement in the situation for the children.
Darren said,
"Ysgol Pen Barras is a fantastic school but teachers and pupils achieve high standards in spite of the poor quality accommodation on site – it cannot be acceptable that pupils in 21st century Wales are being educated in rotting classrooms.
"I am now seriously worried that exposure to such poor conditions over this prolonged period of time could have a detrimental impact on the children at the school and have consequences for their education.
"Whilst I am saddened that I had to refer this matter to the Children’s Commission, I am eagerly awaiting his support in resolving this issue."
Notes:
Photo shows Marc Lloyd Jones, Darren Millar AM, Huw Thomas of Cyfeillion Pen Barras and Cllr Huw Williams of Denbighshire County Council.