Capel Dewi school closure

We need your help!!!!

In early May this year it was decided to close Capel Dewi School due to the school being too expensive to run. This basically boils down to a lack of children attending the school. We need help to keep this wonderful school open, to carry on in the good old traditional methods of teaching that have been good enough for the past 95 years. We don't mean to keep the school in the dark ages, however we would like to carry on with the parts of this school that larger schools cannot provide.

We know that all the best equipment in the world sometimes is not enough and cannot make up for the benefit provided by a more intimate small school. Below are just a few of the points where smaller schools excel over larger ones, the list could go and on....

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The intimate parent, teacher, child relationships that mean that every teacher knows every pupil and their parents. This  leads to problems being detected early and solutions put into place before secondary problems like bullying can take root. The level of care in a small school cannot be matched in larger schools.

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The close ties that small schools have with the village and surrounding areas, means that all the population can interact and participate irrespective of whether they are parents or not. Be this the duck race, the Christmas party, or one of many many other activities that go on, involving the school as an integral part.

*	The 'Living Classroom' that surrounds the school itself, from the beautiful grounds themselves, where the children play for hours (often after school has long finished), to the fields, country lanes and nearby woods.

*	Children benefit from a type of education that is unavailable in larger schools. The smaller classes are more intimate and the activities less rigid leading to a better quality of education. A high pupil/teacher ratio is so beneficial for the childrens education facilitating rapid learning.

*	The highest standards of education. The teachers at Capel Dewi are second to none.

*	Larger schools don't suit all children. Different children have different educational requirements. Parents need to be able to choose the right school - they know their children best. Capel Dewi school is needed by several of its pupils.

*	There is a gentle easing in of children from home into the inevitable larger secondary schools, building a strong foundation for future life.

We appreciate that financial matters come into this equation but we feel that the larger picture should be considered.

Once smaller schools have closed there is no going back either for the school itself or for the wider community. Many aspects of village life have vanished as a result of such closures in other parts of the country. Ceredigion has one of the highest standards of education in Wales and has more small schools than most. The correlation between the two cannot be coincidence.

If you feel that you could help in any way then please contact us by any of the methods below.

Maybe you would like to transfer your child, or maybe you know someone with children about to start school .Perhaps you can help with distribution of leaflets, financial assistance, technical / professional know-how, etc. All are welcome. Please join our campaign, time is short - we must act now.

A great thanks also goes out to all the people involved in this task - thanks!

By email: Tom & Eva Cowcher cowcher@thelongbarn.co.uk

By phone: Richard Bramley,           Farmyard Nurseries 01559 363389

By post: Mandy & Allan Labram   The Old Barn, Capel Dewi SA44 4PH

Our story

When we felt the time was right for our little girl, Ruth, to go to school we decided that it was not just a case of sending her to the nearest school. We felt that she needed the right school for her particular character and abilities. We therefore set about looking for the school that was best qualified to do this.

First we visited two larger schools with 'better facilities'. Both of these were well run and well equipped, both made us welcome, showed us around and introduced us to several teachers and pupils. However we felt that something was missing.

We then decided to visit a small school. Before even entering the gates we all, Ruth included, knew this was the way forward - the kids playing in such a beautiful rural setting, happy and fulfilled.

Upon meeting the teachers we realised that the whole atmosphere was different. Ruth was soon bustled away with a group of children and their teacher, while we spoke to the head mistress. From that moment our minds were made up.

The whole ethos of the small school was different to that of a larger school. It was more personal and intimate, teachers knew the children so well that their loves, interests and problems became one… and the solutions likewise. There were no children left behind, all participated at a similar level of assertiveness. The younger children were eased into school life by the older ones, who in turn learnt valuable leadership skills.

We signed Ruth up there and then - we all loved the school and in the months that Ruth has been at Capel Dewi she has blossomed.

As non Welsh speaking parents we were very anxious about sending Ruth to a welsh speaking school. This worry evaporated on the first day of attendance when Mrs Lewis, her teacher, began the task of teaching her. It was done in such an encouraging way that Ruth eagerly began to learn the language, loving every minute. Her progress was, and continues to be, swift and enjoyable and with this evaporated all our worries. Her education continues at a rapid rate.

It was with great concern that we therefore realised that this amazing school was earmarked for closure,  please help us to keep this open.