Baroness Fox joins opponents of Flintshire Catholic super-school plan
Baroness Claire Fox of Buckley has joined those opposed to the closure of St David’s Catholic Primary School in Mold as part of a wider £55 million super-school proposal.
A non-affiliated peer in the House of Lords and director and founder and director of the think-tank the Academy of Ideas, Baroness Fox is a former pupil of both St David’s and St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School.
Both schools are earmarked for closure under plans by Flintshire County Council and the Diocese of Wrexham to shut four catholic schools – St Anthony’s in Saltney and St Mary’s in Flint being the others – and replace them with a £55 million super-school in Flint for children aged 3-18.
The statutory objection period is currently open and St David’s Action Group – an organisation of parents, former pupils and parishioners in Mold opposed to the plan – will be holding a march on December 6 from the school to the bandstand in Mold to raise awareness and gain support for their campaign to save St David’s.
The action group has previously held marches and a protest outside Ty Dewi Sant in Ewloe – the headquarters of Flintshire County Council.
Its campaign has now been boosted by the support of Baroness Fox, who has submitted an objection letter to the local authority.
“I am writing to formally object to the proposed closure of St David’s Primary School in Mold,” she wrote. “I know this school, indeed was a pupil there many decades ago, and I can testify that St David’s Primary School plays a unique and important role in local community life and provides faith-based education that is valued by many families.
“The closure of the school would remove this vital option for parents who wish for their children to receive education in a supportive faith-based environment.
“Crucially, the proposal does not appear to include any assessment of the cultural, community, or spiritual impact of the closure. This omission is particularly concerning given that Community Impact Assessments and Welsh-language Impact Assessments are required under statutory guidance when considering school closures.
“What worries me – how can the council fully understand or mitigate the effects on the local community, or ensure compliance with its legal requirements, without such evaluations? Personally, I feel that St David’s is more than just a school, it is a hub of community life and a cornerstone for families seeking faith-based education.
“At a time in which community cohesion is widely understood to be so important in society (and under increasing pressure), removing this option will surely have lasting consequences on the cultural and spiritual fabric of the area. I would have thought that this aspect should be fully considered before any decision is made.
“In that context, could I respectfully request that Flintshire County Council pause or withdraw the closure proposal until a full assessment of community, cultural, and faith-based impacts has been undertaken and made available to stakeholders.”
The objection period is open to the public and anyone with views on the proposals can submit them for consideration.
Messages of objection or support for the plans need to be sent in writing to:
School Modernisation Team, Flintshire County Council, Ty Dewi Sant, St David’s Park, Ewloe, Flintshire CH5 3FF or by email to [email protected].
All submissions must arrive with the county council before 11.59pm on Monday, December 15.
To be considered feedback must also contain the full name and postal address of the objector.
By Alec Doyle – Local Democracy Reporter
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