Potential closure of Stepaside School challenged over data concerns

Concerns have been raised that some of the data used to decide whether Stepaside School should remain open, may not be entirely accurate - local councillors and politicians have revealed.
Towards the end of last year, recommendations of Pembrokeshire County Council’s ‘School Modernisation Working Group’ - sought approval to be given to the Director of Education to commence statutory consultation on specific proposals for school provision for the locality, which could spark a number of changes for the area.
As well as plans on establishing a new 3-19 school - as part of future SCfL investment to rebuild /extend Tenby’s Secondary School, at the Ysgol Greenhill site, or on a new site; part of the series of recommendations was also a call to establish a new 3-11 primary school on the Saundersfoot School site, discontinuing Saundersfoot School and Stepaside School.
An online and paper petition in support of keeping Stepaside School open was presented to a meeting of PCC in March.
The petition started by Angela Robinson, stated: “Stepaside School in Kilgetty is the heart of our community. It represents a high-performing local education asset that delivers significant public value. Any proposal to close it must be assessed not only in terms of short-term financial pressures, but against wider statutory duties, long-term social impact, and the strategic use of public funds that invests in our children best interest.”
“The rationale for closure appears primarily financial, yet any credible public spending decision must be based on a holistic assessment of costs, benefits, risks, and outcomes.”
County councillor for the Kilgetty and Begelly ward, Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “The Chair of Governors, Laura Burnett, gave a very good speech for the school. Unfortunately, the Council still decided to go ahead with consultation on possible closure. The consultation is due to start in September.
“Closing Stepaside School is wrong because it is based on the incorrect assumption that the number of pupils at the school should be 200 which is unrealistic. The school has between 110 and 115 pupils and the space is well used for the education of the children.
“There is also a wrong assumption that the number of pupils will go down in the future whereas in fact the number has remained between 110 and 115 for the last four years.
“Kilgetty Begelly Community Council has already given its support to the school and I hope and am sure that there will be an overwhelming public response to the consultation in favour of the school.”
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member, Samuel Kurtz has also raised concerns about any closure of the school, at Welsh Parliament.
“Stepaside School is under threat, but should it be? Concerns have been raised with me that some of the data used to decide whether the school should remain open may not be entirely accurate,” stated Mr Kurtz.
©Vid: Senedd TV