Questionnaires are being sent to families to find out the demand for Welsh medium education in Neath Port Talbot.
Neath Port Talbot Council is sending out letters to parents of children up to three and a half years of age asking them what their preferred language for learning is when their child starts school.
Education officers are carrying out the survey in order to plan ahead to make sure there are sufficient and suitable school places for all pupils.
“Planning ahead for Welsh medium education is part of the Council’s school improvement plan,” says Council Leader, Ali Thomas.
“We need to have a clear understanding of the demands likely to be made for educating pupils through the medium of Welsh in the future.
“Then plans can be put into place to meet the needs of all pupils.
“I encourage all those who have received a questionnaire to complete it to help us have a clear picture of what exactly is needed.
“It is a simple exercise which takes a matter of minutes to complete.” says Melissa Griffith, a parent of two children. Her eldest child is already in a Welsh medium primary school and Melissa is keen for her second child to receive a Welsh medium education also. She believes that it is really important that parents take this opportunity to let the Council know about their language wishes for their child’s education and says “the questionnaire is a simple and effective way for parents to make their views known.”
The questionnaire can be completed either on line at http://neath-porttalbot-consult.limehouse.co.uk/portal (survey titled Welsh-English Medium Primary Education) or by returning the questionnaire using the freepost envelope by Wednesday 28th July.
If any parents with children aged 0 to 3 years have not received the survey please visit the website above or request a paper version of the questionnaire by contacting Carl Glover on 01639 763139.
