In its meeting of 02 July 2008, the Rural Development Sub-Committee heard evidence from the WLGA, the National Association of Small Schools and Estyn as part of its inquiry into provision of rural education in Wales and reorganisation of rural schools.

Points made during discussion included:

• there are great difficulties across Wales in dealing with the future of rural schools
• the quality of school buildings in rural areas is an issue as is the problem of attracting teachers with suitable expertise into rural areas
• per-pupil spend in rural authorities’ vary from about £2k per head to nearly £16k per head
• too many pupils are receiving education in poor quality buildings that are not fit for purpose and are in a poor state of repair

For full details, please read the Committee transcript.