Mick calls for small schools support

Release/Rhyddhau: 23/04/07

Contact/Cyswllt: Mick Bates
029 2089 8342/ 01686 625527/ mick.bates@wales.gov.uk 

Ahead of the Welsh Assembly elections on May 3rd, Montgomeryshire AM, Mick Bates has called for more action to be taken to support small rural schools.

Out campaigning in Llanbrynmair, Carno, Newtown and Montgomery today , Mick said:

"Small rural schools is an issue close to my heart. My Wife is the head teacher of two schools in the constituency and I know my self what an important job they do. For many years successive governments have forgotten their value.

"We need to put all our schools, despite their size at the very heart of the community. This is even more important in small rural communities with small schools.

"The Welsh Liberal Democrats are committed to supporting small schools in our communities. We want to see them flourish. We want their teachers to be happy and their pupils learning to the highest possible standards.

"In order to achieve this aim we need to make maximum use of new technology. We need to see an increase in of federation and shared facilities. We need to introduce three year budgets to take the pressure off our head teachers.

"We also need to make sure our children are eating the best possible food, where possible sourcing it from local suppliers, to give them a healthy body to learn.

"The schools should also serve the community after class has ended. We need to develop the schools as hubs for the community, ensuring pupils, families, sports and culture groups get access to facilities thought the week. We have these fantastic resources on our community door steps - lets use them!

"A vote for the Welsh Liberal Democrats on May the 3rd is a vote for small schools thought rural Wales. It is a vote for our children. It is a vote for our communities."