WG write to Andrew Thomas (NPTCBC) Concerns around WLIA and the current consultation on the Swansea Valley schools reorganisation proposal

***Doc is undated, but presumed 7/12/2022 Dear Andrew Following our exchange of letters back in November 2022 I am writing in respect of your current consultation on the Swansea Valley schools reorganisation proposal which opened on 5 December 2022 and will close on 24 January 24. I also note the inclusion of a Welsh Language Impact Assessment (WLIA) as an appendix to the current consultation document. As you will know, Clause 1(b) of the grant award letter issued on 21 December 2020 confirms the approval of the project “subject to satisfactory completion of a Welsh Language Impact Assessment” and my letter to you on the 22 October 2021 confirms that this condition of funding remains in place. The WLIA included to support this consultation sets out clearly that the preferred option to establish an English-medium 3-11 school to accommodate pupils from the current catchment areas of Alltwen Primary, Godre’r graig Primary and Llangiwg primary could potentially have many negative impacts on the Welsh language. Whilst actions have been included in the WLIA to mitigate any potential negative impacts on the Welsh language and Welsh-medium education, it’s unclear which actions would be adopted to lessen those negative impacts identified. The recent census results on the Welsh language shows a decline in the percentage of children and young people aged 5 – 15 reported to be able to speak Welsh. Whilst gains have been made in other age groups, this should be a reminder to us all why more opportunities to access education through the medium of Welsh is needed and why reducing any negative impact on the Welsh language, especially in areas of linguistic sensitivity are so important to achieving the target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050.