OVER 300 pupils of Brynmawr Foundation School lined the driveway leading to the school on Monday afternoon in a silent protest as members of the Local Education Authority met with staff and governors to discuss the proposal to close the sixth form.

Pupils are unhappy about the proposed sixth form shake up that could see the school lose its sixth form of almost 300 pupils.

They say the choice has been taken away from them as Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council has proposed to develop education facilities at The Works, the former steelworks site in Ebbw Vale.

On Monday as LEA officials drove to the school they were met with 350 silent pupils demonstrating their lack of voice in the consultation process.

Many held banners saying "Save our Sixth Form," "If it's not broken don't fix it," and "No Voice No Choice" while others taped their mouths shut.

Head Girl Sally Hopkins said, "I am really impressed that so many students lined the drive to show their support to the sixth form. We gave the LEA officials a document requesting a consultation with us, so that our voices can be heard too."

The protest comes as Monmouth MP David Davies says he fears parents and pupils are not being given enough of a voice in the proposed shake-up of sixth form education in Blaenau Gwent.

Mr Davies believes such a move would eliminate choice as Coleg Gwent would become the only post-16 education provider in the borough.

He said, "Although just outside of my constituency, pupils from the Clydach and Gilwern areas have traditionally attended Brynmawr for generations. Indeed, I have visited the school in the past and was extremely impressed with what I saw.

 "Parents I have spoken to feel they are not being given enough of a voice in determining the future educational needs of their children. There is also a great deal of concern that the proposals will lead to results across Blaenau Gwent being lowered and that students will simply migrate to schools elsewhere.

 "I have written to the local authority asking for an explanation as to the thinking behind the decision to change the current system. I'd be interested to know if this is simply a cost saving measure or whether it will actually provide better and improved opportunities for post-16 learners.

 "I'd also like to hear from any pupils or parents in my constituency who are affected by these plans in order to gauge a better idea of how people are feeling. I can be contacted via email at [email protected]">[email protected]"