The fight for a new Ysgol Heol Goffa takes to the streets after a petition demanding the seven-year promise is upheld by the ruling Carmarthenshire Council Plaid administration reached over 7,000 signatures.
Llanelli Labour’s Lliedi ward town councillor Andrew Bragoli is calling for a massive turnout to show support for the special school.
‘The children, teachers and parents at that school are phenomenal. They deserve our support. They have been disadvantaged and downtrodden in a shocking way by this terrible decision by the Plaid-led county council,” he said.
‘The feeling is raw. They have been left in tears by this cruel council discrimination. It is our moral duty to support them. We want justice.”
Llanelli Town Council leader, councillor David Darkin, said: “I’m confident that this march will demonstrate the strength of feeling in the community.
“I just hope that the leadership in Carmarthenshire Council will have the strength of character to admit their mistake, change their mind, and ensure that they deliver on the new school they’ve promised for so many years.”
Llanelli MP Dame Nia Griffith said: “We understand that these are tough times, but a new school was promised by the Plaid-run county council, a site agreed and work done on the plans, and the Labour Welsh Government remains committed to providing a 75 per cent grant for special schools for children with additional learning needs.
“It is crazy to throw all that away, so we are asking the county council to prioritise this new school for Ysgol Heol Goffa.”
Unite Swansea and District Community branch member Karen Taylor-Searle, said members were supporting the campaign.”
‘We feel strongly about the decision taken by Carmarthenshire Council to not go ahead with the new school for Ysgol Heol Goffa.
‘The school is over-subscribed with a waiting list of families from across the County which the school provides for.
‘The staff do amazing work under the prevailing conditions, such as overcrowding and deteriorating infrastructure.” she said.
“The school provides for pupils from all over the County between the ages of 3-19 who have severe or profound and multiple learning difficulties.
‘There is a desperate need for a new school build.
“We need to look after the most vulnerable in our society and provide every child with the best possible individual start they can possibly have.
“Ysgol Heol Goffa is that school and has a special place in the hearts of the people of Llanelli.
“The school is looked upon as a family in the community.”
UNISON Carmarthenshire County branch secretary Debbie Gough said of Ysgol Heol Goffa:
“It will always be a very special place to us which has done an absolutely amazing job with all who have been lucky enough to attend.
“Which is why we strongly oppose add on units at other schools and wholeheartedly support a new standalone specialist school for Heol Goffa.
“Rest assured this is the message we are strongly conveying to the county council at every opportunity.”
Parent Becki Davies, who is secretary of the Ysgol Heol Goffa action group, said Saturday afternoon would be ‘filled with fun, laughter and unforgettable memories’ for the whole community.
She said there would be cartoon characters such as Super Mario, Peppa Pig and Iggle Piggle on the march, which will leave the school at 1.30pm on Saturday on the way to a rally near Theatr Ffwrnes.
Becki openly invites everyone to join the march: “Join us for a march that promises to be filled with excitement and adventure. Let’s show Llanelli, and more importantly, Carmarthenshire County Council the love we have for this school and the power of community – side by side, step by step, with our favourite characters leading the way.
‘Together we can make a difference.”
