Small rural schools are 'Caring Communities'

The Welsh Language Society supports the efforts of Ysgol Bentre Gymraeg Meidrim in Carmarthenshire to secure its future and to recognise a number of small rural schools as ‘Caring Communities’.

Tommy Webber is a pupil at Meidrim Community Primary School and lives with an ultra-rare genetic condition known as Bloom Syndrome. The condition causes complex medical and additional learning needs, and he is currently the only known child in Wales diagnosed with this condition.

Clinical advice provided to the school is clear that continuity, routine, and trusted relationships are essential for Tommy, and that disruption including a change of school, longer daily journeys, or unfamiliar staff could have a negative impact on his health, wellbeing and educational progress.

As a small, stable village school, Meidrim School has been able to meet these needs precisely, providing consistent and personalised support to Tommy. Recently, a statutory consultation was opened by Carmarthenshire County Council (16 January) on a proposal to close the school.

On behalf of the Carmarthen Region, Cymdeithas yr Iaith, Sioned Elin said:

“Tommy’s story is an example of the more general truth that a small rural school is a safe haven for children with special needs, where education is child-centered and pupils are welcomed as members of a caring Welsh-speaking community. In the same school, there is a girl who is deaf, and the rest of the pupils have learned some sign language to communicate, demonstrating the educational value of this for all the children.”

She added:

“Furthermore, Tommy’s story highlights why the impact of school closures cannot be assessed purely on numbers or finance, but must consider whether alternative provision can genuinely meet the needs of children for whom stability and familiarity are critical.”