Following a recent meeting with the director of education for Pembrokeshire, parents of children at Penally Primary School are angry about the consultation process so far. Parents are obviously interested in the well-being of their children, but they also hope that the stand they are taking will improve similar situations in the future for other schools and parents.

Their main points of concern are these:

• The method of preliminary consultation offered little chance for preparation and excluded some parents in taking part, for example, single and working parents, and excluded the main stakeholders - children

• The emphasis of the consultation appeared to be based on revenue savings, rather than the children, their specific needs, and aiming for the highest educational standards

• The whole thrust was in favour of larger schools whilst not admitting the benefits of smaller ones or the importance of choice for parents

• There was conflicting information about pupil projections for the Tenby/Saundersfoot area - the School Organisation Plan indicates that numbers are likely to rise rather than fall by over 12 per cent as outlined in the meeting

• There was great reluctance to consider other methods of consultation that would allow a more scientific evaluation of local educational needs, for example, surveys and research.

Penally School recently celebrated its 130th anniversary, achieved a glowing Estyn Report (reported to be one of the best ever read by local MP Nick Ainger) and was looking forward to expansion with a substantial intake into the nursery section and improving even further the already superb educational standards achieved by the school, represented by consistently high results.

Much of this has been achieved in the last two years, despite not having a permanent headteacher, and is thanks to the hard work and commitment of the acting head and his team of staff, coupled with support from governors and parents.

Said a spokesman for the Friends of Penally School: "It is evident that some local parents have chosen not to send their children to Penally School because of the situation of only having an acting head for over two years. We feel disappointed and let down that this situation has not been rectified earlier. "Penally School is and has always been an integral part of the village community. We hope that it will continue for many years to come. If the school closes it will be like ripping the heart out of the community."

Footnote: As recently reported by the Observer, there are also concerns over the future of Pentlepoir School and parents there fear that it could be closed in the near future due to a decreasing number of pupils attending.

The consultation meetings are currently being carried out by the county council on a strategy for the provision of primary education in Tenby with governors, parents and staff of Saundersfoot School, Tenby Infant and Tenby Junior Schools, Penally School, Pentlepoir School and Stepaside School. The consultation exercise also includes liaison and sharing of information with St. Teilo's RC School, St. Florence VC School and Manorbier VC School.

"No decisions have been made, primary school education provision in Tenby is under review, and a further report will be sent to cabinet in due course," said a spokesman for the authority.