THE principal of Coleg Gwent Jim Bennett wants to reassure parents whose children are affected by the decision to close Brynmawr Foundation Schools's sixth form reports LESLEY FLYNN.

He has hit back at criticism from parents about the decision by Assembly education minister Leighton Andrews to endorse Blaenau Gwent Council's decision to close sixth forms at all their secondary schools so post-16 education is provided by Coleg Gwent.

"Coleg Gwent's commitment to providing the broadest possible offer in both academic and vocational curriculum at all levels is guaranteed and will be to the benefit of all young people, and adults, in Blaenau Gwent who will have excellent choice, as well as excellent teaching and support.

"We pride ourselves on the attainment rates achieved by our students; the Welsh Assembly Government has no concerns over the quality of our provision and the Minister compares them favourably with Brynmawr's in the report on his decision. "The statement by the Head of Brynmawr School that we have failed to produce our examination results in any of the consultation events printed is simply untrue.

"I addressed the parents' meeting in the school last week myself, and I carefully read out our A-level results in that meeting. The school did not challenge them.

"I have also quoted the same statistics at previous consultation events such as the one with Brynmawr staff; they are good and we are proud of them. "

Mr Bennett said: "There are lots of concerns about the Learning Zone based on rumour, misunderstanding and false information.  We will invite parents into the College both in Ebbw Vale and Crosskeys to see exactly how we operate and we believe that will put their minds at ease.

"My main concern however is that this superb and far-sighted project has been reduced in the press to a squabble about sixth forms by a few who want things to stay as they are.

"That is only a very small part of it. It is about a new future for an area that's been seriously blighted by the death of its traditional industries.

"The Works site is to be used to provide a superb new college that will serve everyone, of all abilities, equally well.

"It's about all the schools and the College working in a new partnership to increase attainment and staying on rates. We will include the University of Wales, Newport in that partnership to grow higher education in the area.

"We will make links with employers to grow work-based learning and apprenticeships.

"It's also about improving the chances of some of our young people with a brand new 3-16 school next door to the College.

"Far from being about saving money as Brynmawr School claims, it's costing the Welsh Assembly over £111 million, and it's money well spent. If we can work together constructively, like grown ups, we can make a huge difference in Blaenau Gwent.

"If we just squabble and change nothing, nothing will ever change. Is that what we want?"