The Welsh Assembly Government has agreed to establish a new Swansea primary school.
It will bring together two sets of pupils now educated on the Tregwyr Infant and Tregwyr Junior sites in Gowerton to create a new all-through Primary School. The new school will continue to operate on the two Tregwyr sites.
The plan, submitted to WAG by Swansea Council in support of its primary education philosophy, aims to benefit all pupils.
In confirming WAG agreement, Education Minister Leighton Andrews acknowledged the good standards of the existing schools but said the single school would offer “substantial potential to raise standards.”
The existing schools are due to close in August 2010, with the newly established primary school opening on the current sites in September 2010. Pupils will transfer to the newly established school.
Pupils, staff, parents and governors at the two schools have been informed.
The proposal to close both schools was put forward by Swansea Council as part of its Quality in Education (QEd) 2020 Programme.
The council believes that the establishment of a new primary school will mean higher standards of pupil achievement and attainment, an improved learning environment, better use of resources, greater staff flexibility and financial savings.
The proposal went through a comprehensive period of public consultation and statutory notice before progressing to the Welsh Assembly Government for final decisions.
Cllr Mike Day, the council’s cabinet member for education, said: “The decision is one that can help us improve the quality of education available to the children attending both schools.
“We appreciate it may be a difficult time for pupils, staff, parents and governors and we will work closely with them all to ease the transition process.”
