1 local business & community feedback bgcbc abertillery 3- 16 school consultation.. 7 april 2015

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LOCAL BUSINESS & COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

BGCBC ABERTILLERY 3-16 SCHOOL CONSULTATION..

7 APRIL 2015

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OUTLINE /

SOME CONTEXT..

FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY..

FEEDBACK FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES..

KEY MESSAGES..

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SOME CONTEXT.. /

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In 2012, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council introduced the first maintained 3-16 school in Wales (the Ebbw Fawr Learning Community) as part of its strategic blueprint for the revision of schools across the county.

As an extension of this plan, BGCBC is now considering the establishment of a 3-16 learning environment within the Abertillery Central area. As part of this process, an extensive consultation exercise has been undertaken to assess the views of strategic partners, schools, parents and governors, along with the wider community.

To assist in this programme of consultation, Deighton Consultants was asked to undertake a number of studies to complement this, covering both local businesses and the wider community.

SOME CONTEXT /

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FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY.. /

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COMMUNITY

As part of our consultation, the ‘wider community’ was provide with an opportunity to present their views. Five locations were selected, yielding a total of 88 ‘self-completed’ questionnaires split..

/ Abertillery Library (26 completed questionnaires)/ ICC - Blaina (10 questionnaires)/ ICC - Ebbw Vale (14 questionnaires)/ Abertillery Sports Centre (25 questionnaires)/ Abertillery Learning Action Centre (13 questionnaires)

All sessions were undertaken 24th - 27th March 2015.

LOCAL COMMUNITY - STUDY STRUCTURE /

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FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY:

FINDINGS..

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COMMUNITY

AWARENESS OF 3-16 SCHOOL PLANS..? /

15%‘Aware - And Know A Lot About Their Plans’

‘Aware - And Know A Little About Their Plans’

‘Aware - But Know Very Little About It’

32%

35%

‘Not Heard About This’ 18%

Base: All Local Community Answering (88)

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WHAT HEARD ABOUT PROPOSAL..? / I

COMMUNITY

Amongst the 61 people who answered this question, by far the most likely perceived change is that schools will be closing and all pupils will be located at one new school site (mentioned by over two in five - 44% - of this group)..

“I’ve heard they are putting very small kids with big ones and letting them out all at the same time which

is stupid. The little ones will get hurt and they will pick up really bad habits and swear a lot more.”

“That several primary schools and the comprehensive will close and be

replaced by this school.”

“The closure of some schools to make a new school to create learning for 3-16 at

one site on the Six Bells colliery site.”

“That there’s a new school being built, but I haven’t seen the plans.”

“That BGCBC’s plans are shutting all primary/ comprehensives and moving all pupils to a super school.”

“They are closing several schools and proposing to build one huge one.”

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WHAT HEARD ABOUT PROPOSAL..? / II

COMMUNITY

At the same time, around a third have heard that various schools will amalgamate, with the creation of a new ’super school’ - similar to Ebbw Fawr..

“I have heard that they propose to have one complete school from the age of 3-16 across 5

sites in Abertillery under the umbrella of Abertillery school - splitting the budget equally.”

“They are proposing that there will be a super school (aged 3-16) developed over

different areas.”

“The proposal to amalgamate all schools in the Abertillery area under

one identity whilst keeping separate sites.”

“Five primary schools will be merged with the comprehensive in order to try and save

the comp. A new school merging two schools will be built on the Six Bells Pit site.”“I’ve heard it might

follow the similar scheme as Ebbw Fawr Learning Community.” “Well I have heard about the schools

merging into one, but that is all I know.”

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WHAT HEARD ABOUT PROPOSAL..? / III

COMMUNITY

Finally, a number, have heard more generally that pupils will be moving and that two schools will be knocked down, with a new one being built..

“That a few schools are shutting and a new building will be in its

place.”

“Yes I know about it. It is at the top of my street which is my old school.”

“I have heard they are knocking two schools down and building a new one.”

“They have proposed to open one school and close two schools.”

“I have heard about the school moving.”

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COMMUNITY

OVERALL VIEW ON 3-16 SCHOOL PROPOSAL..? /

Base: All Local Community Answering (88)

8%

18%10%

14% 14%

‘Strongly For It’

‘Slightly For It’

‘No View Either Way’

‘Don’t Know’

‘Slightly Against It’

‘Strongly Against It’

36%

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Out of the 88 people who took part, almost three-quarters (74%) answered this question.

ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / I

While many were able to suggest possible advantages with this proposal (irrespective of whether these were based on a true understanding of the proposal or not), just over third (35%) of those answering this question said that they could see ‘no advantage’ to the changes

proposed.

COMMUNITY

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The new 3-16 school would provide greater continuity for those attending, not only in terms of all teaching being

‘in-house’, but also their relationships with peers.

ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / II

For the rest, four main advantages of the proposed 3-16

school were put forward..

The ‘new school’ would have everything on one site, with better technology and ‘state-of-the-art’ facilities

delivering improved standards of education.

A ‘single-site’ school would make life easier for parents in that they could better co-ordinate ‘drop-off’ and ‘pick-up’

if they had more than one child in the system.

While not suggesting any advantages to themselves or their children, a small number feel that there would be

advantages to BGCBC in terms of cost-savings.

COMMUNITY

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“One school would look after the education of individual pupils throughout their learning.”

“One advantage is that the kids who had friends in other schools will be at the same school and also

teaching would be more manageable.”

“Improved learning

facilities for pupils.”

“It’s easier for parents dropping off children of different ages at school

in the morning if it’s all in one place.”

“The young people will stay engaged

with the same group of friends.”

COMMUNITY

ADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / III

“That the teaching staff will have continuity of a pupil’s education, as long as the

teaching staff are of a high quality to help the pupils to a higher standard than it is at

the moment.”

“In-housing education, no cross-over transition period between Year 6 and year 7 -

and no fear of that Comprehensive move!!”

“I don’t see any advantages other than

proposed savings for the Council.”

“The advantage is for the Council to

have one umbrella for financial reasons.”

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COMMUNITY

37%‘Totally Agree’

‘Neither’

‘Slightly Disagree’

26%

17%

9%

12%

‘Slightly Agree’

‘Totally Disagree’

‘Standards of education in Blaenau

Gwent are low’..

CURRENT STANDARDS OF EDUCATION..? / I

Base: All Community Answering Excluding DK (82)

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COMMUNITY

CURRENT STANDARDS OF EDUCATION..? / II

Base: All Community Answering Excluding DK (79 or 85)


‘Neither’


15%

5%

1%

0%



‘It is important that we raise standards of education in our local schools’..


‘Neither’


29%

25%

20%

13%



‘The existing education system within the Central Abertillery area is effective’..

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COMMUNITY

SECONDARY PROVISION..? /

35%

2%

28% 26%

9%

‘Totally Agree’


‘Neither’ ‘Totally Disagree’


‘Abertillery needs a secondary provision’..


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COMMUNITY

LOSS OF AUTONOMY AND IDENTITY..? /


‘Neither’


11%

35%

5%

6%



‘Introducing a new 3-16 school would result in

less autonomy and loss of identity for the existing schools’..


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COMMUNITY

SHORT-TERM DISRUPTION..? /



‘Neither’


23%

25%

5%

12%



‘The introduction of the new 3-16 school

will create short-term disruption for pupils’..

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TIMESCALES..? / COMMUNITY



‘Neither’


17%

21%

1%

5%



‘Blaenau Gwent Council needs to

consider timescales for implementation of the

proposal’..

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INTRODUCING A 3-16 SCHOOL - THE EFFECT..? / COMMUNITY

Base: All Community Answering Excluding DK (80 - 82)

‘The new 3-16 school will ensure a sustainable education for the

Abertillery area’

30%

35%

44%

‘The new 3-16 school will raise standards of education’

‘The new 3-16 school will make it easier for pupils to make the transition

from primary to secondary school’

13%

18%

21%

‘Slightly Agree’/‘Strongly Agree’‘Strongly’/‘Slightly Disagree' Neither’

29%

31%

25%

29%

31%

25%

41%

34%

31%

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There is concern (for over a third of those answering) that the 3-16 school will mean that children of

all ages will mix and that this wide age range will mean that the

youngest children may well feel intimidated.

COMMUNITY

While a small number of those answering this question (81% of those taking part) claim that they see no disadvantages of such a move (11%), the vast majority do have concerns.

In particular, two issues are ‘top-of-mind’…

At the same time, one in five (19%) say that by having such a large school, children may well be

overwhelmed by it, losing their individual identity and becoming

merely a ‘number’ as teachers forget names.

DISADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / I

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“The age difference is too wide, young

children will become very afraid and

dislike school from a very early age.”

“The little ones will pick up bad habits. They would be knowing a lot more

about life than they should and their childhood would be at risk. It should

not happen as I wouldn’t like my child around other teens who could be

smoking, drinking, talking about bad things – drugs, a bad world etc.”

“I think it could be quite worrying for younger children to be surrounded by teenagers at home time etc. Also it takes away a big part of childhood and ‘growing up’,

going to a new school as children get older.

DISADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / II

COMMUNITY

“Little ones would feel overwhelmed with older teenage children in the same school.”

“I feel the younger children would be

frightened of a large school and older

children.”

“There would be no personal aspect to the school. Children will become a number, due to

the large amounts of pupils attending the school. This would possibly lead to low self-esteem and

a poor learning outcome.”

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COMMUNITY

In addition to this, it is felt that the loss of jobs as a result of the closure of schools and the increase in numbers of pupils will put pressure on teachers, who will find the larger classes difficult to manage. In addition, such an arrangement is considered to be too much responsibility for one Head..

DISADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / III

“The loss of individual identities and the loss of experienced teaching staff and head teachers -

big is not always better!”

“How will staff and head teachers cope with that many children? Also, it

doesn’t give any choice to parents.”

“People could lose jobs as there would be fewer roles in the schools. Also

more bullying.”

“There’s too much responsibility for one Head and standards will inevitably slip.

Also, there would be too big a curriculum for one Head to be responsible for.”

“Staff losses as a result of primary/ secondary school

closures!”

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COMMUNITY

Finally, as well as the initial change-over causing disruption, there is a feeling amongst some that the element of choice would be taken away for parents, while irrespective of the location of the ‘new school building’, some parents will face additional problems with travel arrangements..

DISADVANTAGES OF PROPOSED 3-16 SCHOOL..? / IV

“Parents having to

travel further to the school.”

“I feel that it takes away any choice for parents to send them to their preferred school! If there is one school and it doesn’t do well,

what options are there as parents to send your child to a ‘good’ school. Also, transport issues for many parents in a deprived area!”

“The travelling for parents that don’t drive.”

“What about the distance and the cost of

transport for some parents?”

“One disadvantage is that there would be travel issues for parents who are far away and not within walking distance to the school.”

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FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY:

A SUMMARY..

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While the majority participating say they are aware of the 3-6 school plans (82%), it is clear that much of their view is based upon the idea that a single-site, enhanced facility ‘super school’ will be created, with the closure of

the current local schools.

THE VIEWS OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY..? /COMMUNITY

A SUMMARY.. I

Within this context, although one in five (18%) show support for the proposal, over half (54%) say they are

‘Against’ the plan (36% are ‘Strongly Against’ it).

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While two thirds (63%) ‘Agree’ that Abertillery needs a secondary provision, It is clear that amongst those within the wider

community taking part, there are concerns about the current provision of education within Abertillery and the wider Blaenau

Gwent area..


A SUMMARY.. II

..two thirds (63%) ‘Agree’ that standards of education within Blaenau Gwent are low - and only a third (33%) believe that the current education

system in Abertillery is effective.

..almost all (94%) ‘Agree’ that is important that we raise standards of education in our local schools (79% ‘Totally Agree’).

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While the majority ‘Agree’ that the new 3-16 school will result in a loss of autonomy/identity for existing schools (54%), will cause short-term disruption for pupils (58%) and timescales must be

considered (73%), views are mixed as to its effect..


A SUMMARY.. III

While a third (34%) ‘Disagree’ that it will raise standards of education - another third (35%) believe it will.

Two in five (41%) ‘Disagree’ the new school will ensure sustainable education for the area, but just under a third (30%) are more optimistic.

Just under a third (31%) ‘Disagree’ the new school will make the transition from primary to secondary easier, more however (44%) say it will.

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FEEDBACK FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES.. /

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BUSINESSES

As part of an assessment of the views of the business community, two separate studies were undertaken..

/ First, an e-mail study of the views of businesses within the BGCBC area. In total, 42 companies were approached using a list developed by BGCBC. In total 5 companies responded (12%), the small number no doubt reflecting the limited time allocated to completing the study.

/ Second, two individual telephone interviews were conducted with named individuals from a list of four organisations considered by BGCBC to be key companies in the area.

LOCAL BUSINESSES - STUDY STRUCTURE / I

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BUSINESSES

LOCAL BUSINESSES - STUDY STRUCTURE / II

In reviewing the findings of this element of our consultation exercise, it is key that we take great care

when interpreting the feedback we have obtained.

While there are some messages that we can be reasonably confident about, the small number of

interviews achieved means that we must not make broad conclusions in relation to this audience and treat

the outputs with considerable caution.

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FEEDBACK FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES:

A SUMMARY..

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BUSINESSES

It is fair to say that based upon the feedback received, awareness of the proposed 3-16 school is low, with most taking part having either just heard about it or have very limited understanding of the precise details.

In this respect, the term ‘super school’ is again used, while amongst those who say they are aware of the plans, as with the wider community, there is considerable confusion as to how the new 3-16 school will work. Indeed, much of what has been ‘heard’ seems to focus on potential ‘problems’ inherent within the new proposal..

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / I

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BUSINESSES

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / II

“As I don't have children myself, it's difficult, but I see both good and bad sides. The good side would obviously be brand new facilities which I think is fantastic. However, my worry with large schools would be that each child doesn't get as much out of their individual ability as there are so many other children. My other concern is the jobs of those teachers and TA's throughout Abertillery; there isn't room for everyone so that

has a negative effect on several families across Blaenau Gwent.”

“As a mother of three plus two step-children who all went to Abertillery Primary then on to Abertillery Comprehensive, I feel saddened that they want to move away from

the small community schools. I realise it’s mostly down to cost and money saving. My reservation is how are parents from Cwmtillery/Abertillery are going to get young

children to Six Bells if they have no transport? The council may well put on transport, but what about parents who have small children/babies - will they be allowed on the buses with the parents or will the 3&4 year olds be expected to travel on their own?”

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BUSINESSES

Amongst those participating, there is generally a very mixed view of the proposal (two support it, one is against it, with the remainder having ‘no view either way’ or ‘Don’t Know’).

Having said this, while there is a generally neutral view as regards the effectiveness of the current education system in the Abertillery area, almost all agree that standards of education in Blaenau Gwent need to improve..

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / III

“In Abertillery, we have a poor standard of education - only around 20% of students achieved A to C grades and we need to do something about this. When we try to employ people in the area, it is difficult as the standards of education are poor.”

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BUSINESSES

While some did not offer any ‘advantages’ to the new 3-16 school, some did say that one of the main positives might be the potential cost-savings for the Council..

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / IV

“I guess the main advantage for BGCBC is that they will knock down existing schools that need

maintenance and then use European funding to build a new school elsewhere.”

“I am aware of the significant financial pressure that the Local Authority is coming under and they need to spend

this money in a different way - more efficiently - and I can see how this will help this situation.”

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BUSINESSES

At the same time, two respondents mentioned that the proposed 3-16 school would be a success if it followed the fortunes of the Ebbw Fawr initiative..

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / V

“Well it has worked in Ebbw Vale hasn’t it?”

“I think the idea is a very good one - it’s certainly necessary. We need to transform the situation and do things differently. The educational system in Blaenau

Gwen is poor, but the introduction of the ‘Learning Zone’ in Ebbw Vale has seen real improvement in learning

standards.”

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BUSINESSES

In terms of the effect of the new 3-16 school, the small numbers involved make it difficult to be precise. However..

/ Those participating are generally neutral as regards whether the new 3-16 school will have a positive impact on the regeneration of the Abertillery area, as they are in relation to further consideration as regards the timescale for implementation.

/ There is some agreement that its introduction will result in a loss of autonomy for local schools.

/ There is somewhat more disagreement amongst those taking part that the new school will benefit the local business community, secure a future for education within Abertillery Central or provide a more consistent approach in the management of local schools.

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / VI

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BUSINESSES

At the same time, less of a ‘disadvantage’ of the new 3-16 school and more a criticism of how the process has been communicated, one respondent mentioned that we have not made enough of the success with the new Ebbw Fawr facility..

LOCAL BUSINESSES - A SUMMARY / VII

“To be honest, I don’t see any disadvantages. I’ve seen the success of the Ebbw Vale Learning Zone and the improvement in standards, but it has been a long

process - over several years - and there was a lot a bad feeling at the time. But it was necessary. They must know about Ebbw Vale - particularly given the

step-change in results, but I’m not sure that they have made the most of this in telling people about the advantages of the new proposal. However, they

must take people along with them and they have to get buy-in from the local community. I’ve received absolutely nothing about this at all!”

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KEY MESSAGES.. /

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While we need to take care when interpreting the results of these two studies, there is no doubt that both audiences have concerns as regards the current standards of

education within Blaenau Gwent. At the same time, the current provision of

education within the Abertillery area is not considered to be as effective as it should be.

KEY MESSAGES..? / I

OVERALL

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At the same time, it is clear that irrespective of the audience, there is a wide-spread lack of awareness of the details of the proposed 3-16 school initiative - and where there is

some understanding, this is frequently based upon a mis-perception of how the

new school will work on a day-to-day basis.

KEY MESSAGES..? / II

OVERALL

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While it is clear that there is much mis-communication from interested parties, which has heightened concern amongst

residents, clearly we have contributed to this in the way that we have communicated the details of the proposal. For example, the

formal consultation document specifically states on page 27..

KEY MESSAGES..? / III

Step 1 – To CLOSE the following schools on 31 August 2016.. Abertillery Primary School Bryngwyn Primary School Queen Street Primary School Roseheyworth Millennium Primary School Abertillery Comprehensive

OVERALL

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Indeed, we have not done a sufficiently good job at communicating the PRECISE details of the proposal, with

current efforts being seen as confused and not sufficiently ‘up-front’ for general consumption…

KEY MESSAGES..? / IV

“There are certainly problems with the education system in Abertillery. This needs to be addressed, but be honest -

present the facts in a clear, focussed way that the community can understand. The language used by the

Education Advisory Board makes them sound like solicitors! Be more clear, focussed and honest!”

OVERALL

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Given this and the concerns that clearly exist (whether these are based on fact or fiction), it is clear that we must develop a

communication strategy which focuses upon the delivery of clear messages in a way that is easily assimilated by residents. Within

this we must..

..provide a simple Q&A communication (potentially for all residents) e.g. Question - ‘One super school will be built at Six Bells?’; Answer - ‘No’.

KEY MESSAGES..? / V

..build upon the clear success that has been seen as a result of changes made at Ebbw Fawr and use those involved to explain how this has improved things.

..review current schedules and assess the extent to which the local community can be brought ‘on board’ given the timescales involved.

OVERALL

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While numerous ‘advantages’ and ‘disadvantages’ of the proposed 3-16 school have been put forward by local businesses and the wider community, much of this is

based upon mis-perception of the true nature of the new school. Unless we begin to address this with a simple,

clear and focussed communication strategy, which brings the local community along with us, we will face an

increasingly problematic journey on the creation of an enhanced education provision within the Abertillery

area.

THE BOTTOM LINE..? /OVERALL

1 local business & community feedback bgcbc abertillery 3- 16 school consultation.. 7 april 2015

Documents

wider community

school plans

school consultation

community awareness

context slide

umbrella of abertillery

new school site

complete school