Asbestos closes teen mums' school

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A group of teenage mothers has been left without a school after theirs was closed when inspectors discovered it was affected by asbestos.

Penrhys Community Centre was one of eight buildings closed by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council in August.

Mothers aged under 16 had been able to study at the centre which had creche facilities for their children.

But Rhondda Cynon Taf Council now says classes should resume shortly after other premises were found.

There have been fears the young mothers would fall behind with their work because no lessons have been held, two weeks since the start of this term.

You can't just put the girls in any old room to study - they need a suitable creche Source The scheme, called Books and Babies, which had approximately 14 girls on the register in the last academic year, provided them with the chance to continue their schooling before and after giving birth.

Most of the girls are studying for their GCSEs and there was expected to be a new intake of pupils at the start of term.

The centre was closed in August along with seven schools in the area after council inspections found it was contaminated with asbestos.

But despite work throughout the summer, the centre has still not been deemed fit for the girls to return.

But a source who did not want to be named, said there were concerns because access to their course work being stored inside the centre was not possible amid safety fears.

"The thing is, you can't just put the girls in any old room to study - they need a suitable creche and this is what seems to be the problem," said the source.

"I know that there is a lot of school material that they need inside the building which they don't have access to and there doesn't seem to be any idea when the problem will be sorted.

"The girls don't have anywhere to go for their lessons and so are in limbo.

"They are all school age girls and should be in school."

Temporary location

In its education plan, the council promises to provide pupils with additional learning needs if they are young parents or pregnant.

The plan said it would "provide Books and Babies for those of statutory school age not wishing to remain in school at a designated centre."

A council spokesman said: "The Books and Babies scheme has been temporarily relocated to Nantgarw Infants School, which is a vacant school.

"Classes are due to begin there next week, meaning the girls have, unfortunately, missed a week of classes.

"However, this delay has been due to the fact alternative childcare and transport arrangements needed to be made.

"Staff have also had to move furniture and equipment from across the county to the temporary premises."

A meeting is due to be held at Penrhys Arts Centre between parents and staff on Monday (1700 BST) to discuss the community centre, which is closed as potentially harmful asbestos is removed.

The council began £4m repairs in August to Llwyn Crwn Primary School, Gwauncelyn Primary School, Penrhys Primary School, Heol Y Celyn Primary School, Hirwaun Primary School, Ferndale Community School, Y Pant School and the Penrhys Community Centre after the discovery.

"The centre is one of a number of buildings currently undergoing such essential works and there is not, as yet, a detailed timetable of when the community centre is set to reopen," added the spokesman.

It is only when asbestos becomes damaged and fibres become loose that there can be potential health risks, said the council.