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Council backs sixth-form revamp | |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A controversial plan to replace sixth forms in Merthyr Tydfil with an expanded tertiary college has been approved by the local authority. | |
Merthyr councillors voted 20-8 in favour of the move, following months of investigations into the proposals. | |
Many students and teachers have opposed the move and protests were held at the meeting ahead of the councillors' vote. | |
The council says the tertiary college will give vocational courses equal status with academic subjects. | |
Councillors voted last June to begin the process of examining a possible re-shaping of its post-16 education sector. | |
The council aims to create what it calls a Merthyr Learning Quarter at the site of the present Merthyr Tydfil college, but will mean the closure of four sixth forms in the county. | |
The local authority has said it envisages the new facility being up and running by 2013. | |
Geraint Lewis, 19, a sixth-form student at Cyfarthfa High School, one of the four affected schools, said consultations had shown 91% of people in Merthyr did not support the reorganisation. | |
Pastoral care | Pastoral care |
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Lewis, who will finish at the school in six weeks' time, said: "I feel as passionate about it. | |
"It's such a fantastic experience, sixth form, and I want everyone in the years below me to have the chance to have the best education possible." | |
One of the things concerning the students is class sizes. Mr Lewis said at present there were no more than 20 students in an A-level class. | |
"It's better for us - [we get] more teacher time, and that's invaluable. | "It's better for us - [we get] more teacher time, and that's invaluable. |
"Pastoral care in Cyfarthfa is second to none. If I've got a problem I know I my head of year or even my head teacher is there. That care and support is fantastic." | "Pastoral care in Cyfarthfa is second to none. If I've got a problem I know I my head of year or even my head teacher is there. That care and support is fantastic." |
He said a relationship built up with teachers over five years or more could make a huge difference, adding: "If we're not working to our potential, they know and can give us that extra push." | He said a relationship built up with teachers over five years or more could make a huge difference, adding: "If we're not working to our potential, they know and can give us that extra push." |
A protest was held outside the council offices ahead of the meeting on Wednesday afternoon. | |
The council has previously said it must do "everything it could as an authority to offer its young people the opportunities to compete in the 21st Century". | The council has previously said it must do "everything it could as an authority to offer its young people the opportunities to compete in the 21st Century". |
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