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Protest ahead of sixth form vote Council backs sixth-form revamp
(about 21 hours later)
Protests are expected ahead of a vote on a controversial plan to replace sixth forms in Merthyr Tydfil with an expanded tertiary college. A controversial plan to replace sixth forms in Merthyr Tydfil with an expanded tertiary college has been approved by the local authority.
The council is meeting later to make its decision following months of investigations into the proposals. Merthyr councillors voted 20-8 in favour of the move, following months of investigations into the proposals.
The plan would see four sixth forms in the county close, but many students and teachers oppose the move. Many students and teachers have opposed the move and protests were held at the meeting ahead of the councillors' vote.
The council says the move to a tertiary college would give vocational courses equal status with academic subjects. 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 the its post-16 education sector. Councillors voted last June to begin the process of examining a possible re-shaping of its post-16 education sector.
It would create what it calls a Merthyr Learning Quarter at the site of the present Merthyr Tydfil college. 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 full council meeting is due to start at 1730 BST and a protest is planned to being before it begins. 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, is organising Wednesday's protest, and believes the event will be well-attended. 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.
"I didn't think we'd have many people, about 80, but it's looking like we could have a couple of 100," he said.
"Parents, teachers and students from all the schools are coming. We all support keeping the sixth forms."
He said consultations had shown 91% of people in Merthyr did not support the re-organisation.
Pastoral carePastoral care
Geraint will finish at the school in six weeks' time but 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." Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Lewis, who will finish at the school in six weeks' time, said: "I feel as passionate about it.
One of the things concerning the students is class sizes. Geraint said at present there were no more than 20 students in an A-level class. "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."
The protest is planned from 1630 BST outside council offices. 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".