HUNDREDS of campaigners took to the streets of Llanelli on Saturday, calling for a new special school to serve pupils with additional learning needs. Around 300 demonstrators marched from Ysgol Heol Goffa to Theatr Ffwrnes in the town centre, accusing Carmarthenshire County Council of failing to deliver on a seven-year-old promise to build a new facility for the school.
Ysgol Heol Goffa, which currently supports 124 pupils aged 3 to 19 with a range of special educational needs including autism, social, emotional, and behavioural issues, has long been earmarked for redevelopment. However, parents and staff say the council has repeatedly delayed the project, leading to frustration within the community. Over 9,000 people have now signed petitions urging the local authority to act.
Speaking at the rally, Chair of the school governors, Owen Jenkins, emphasised the deep frustration felt by families and staff, stating, “This issue will not go away until it is resolved to the satisfaction of our pupils and staff. The strength of feeling in the community and beyond is a stark reminder that this matter cannot be ignored.”
Local MP Nia Griffith joined the marchers, calling for immediate action from the council. “What we all want to see is a new school built,” she said, urging the council to expedite the process.
Parents were incensed by the council’s decision earlier this year to halt plans for a new school due to escalating costs. Llanelli Town Council leader, David Darkin, voiced his disappointment, stating, “I hope the leadership at Carmarthenshire County Council has the strength of character to admit their mistake, change course, and deliver the new school they promised.”
In response to the mounting pressure, Carmarthenshire County Council has commissioned an independent review of additional learning needs provision in Llanelli, led by David Davies, the former head of additional learning needs at Vale of Glamorgan Council. Mr Davies will consult with learners, parents, staff, and governors as part of the review, and any recommendations will undergo a public consultation.
The council has also announced a £500,000 investment to improve facilities at the current Ysgol Heol Goffa site, though many campaigners argue that this falls short of what is needed. Former headteacher Nikki Symmons expressed her concerns, saying, “There must be a reasonably priced solution for this school. It may not be the all-singing, all-dancing facility, but the pupils deserve a specialist school, with the appropriate curriculum and expertise.”
Lee Waters MS said: “Llanelli at its best today, standing together with the most vulnerable members of our community. Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli was promised a desperately needed new state-of-the-art building.
“Instead Plaid Cymru run Carmarthenshire have broken their promise of a new building and plan to split the school into small units attached to existing schools. This will tear apart this highly specialist expert team that do an amazing job harnessing the potential of every young person.
“Today the community stood together to say we want the promise kept.
“All building projects have seen costs increase because of inflation but instead of going ahead with the new school in phases the Council have decided to prioritise schools in other areas.”
Carmarthenshire County Council’s cabinet member for education, Glynog Davies, reassured residents that the council remains committed to enhancing additional learning needs provision, pledging to provide a “first-class education” for all pupils.
Becki Davies, a parent and secretary of the Ysgol Heol Goffa Action Group, also addressed the crowd, urging them to keep the pressure on the council. “Let’s show Llanelli, and more importantly, Carmarthenshire County Council, the love we have for this school,” she said.
As the review process begins, campaigners vow to continue their fight until a new, purpose-built school becomes a reality for the pupils of Ysgol Heol Goffa.
