Opposition is mounting against plan to close school

Councillors have expressed concerns over a plan to close a special needs school, as opposition in the community mounts against the proposal.

Monmouthshire council has launched a public consultation on closing Mounton House School in Pwllmeyric, Chepstow, the county’s only state-run special school.

The council has concerns the school does not meet the needs of all Monmouthshire children with additional learning needs as it only caters for boys aged 11-16.

Declining numbers at the school has also raised worries over spiralling costs for placements, currently £114,000 per pupil in Monmouthshire.

A plan to expand the provision on offer last year was abandoned after it was estimated to cost around £6.4million.

But strong opposition has been expressed to closing the school, with around 2,200 people having signed a petition against the plan.

Councillors on Monmouthshire’s children and young people select committee also expressed opposition to the plan on Friday.

Cllr Louise Brown said there was “enormous potential” at the school which would be lost, and called for the council to keep it open by increasing provision for a wider age range.

“There is very strong support in the community for continuing Mounton House School,” Cllr Brown said.

“The reason for that is because it deals with children who can’t operate successfully in a mainstream setting and who have challenging behaviour.

“The staff there are totally committed and they turn those children’s lives around.”

Beverly Randall, head teacher at Mounton House, said she hoped alternative plans could be made so that the school could meet the needs of Monmouthshire pupils.

Zoe Elsmore, from the NASUWT teachers’ union, said it is vital staff are protected and that their expertise is not lost.

Peter Strong, from the National Education Union, said the proposal went against the council’s approach of seeking to avoid closures.

Declining numbers at the school could be halted if the type of provision on offer was changed, Mr Strong said.

Cllr Tudor Thomas said he was concerned about the impact of the closure on staff as well as pupils.

“We are saying £6million is too much but this authority a couple of weeks ago spent £21m buying a retail and leisure park in Newport,” he added.

But Will McLean, chief officer of children and young people at the council, said the decision to consult on closing the school had not been taken lightly, but insisted it was the right time to ask the question.

Cllr Martyn Groucutt also said a facility was needed to serve children from the local community around Pwllmeyric, with concerns the school does not currently achieve this.

And Michael Fowler, a member of the committee, raised concerns about the affordability of placements at the school.

The decision on the future of the school is due to be made by the council’s cabinet in June, following the completion of the six-week public consultation.