(Now on Appeal to the Court of Appeal ) Since the High Court rejected the claim brought by Bryn Mawr School an appeal has been lodged with the court of appeal. The news of the High Court decision came as a great disappointment to the school. The school has also sought through the court of appeal, protection against any further costs.

The school is proud of the high quality education that it has provided and continues to provide its pupils and aims to continue to provide excellent standards of education and choice across all phases, including post 16 in the next two years.

It is important to note however, that the legal ramifications of any decision to actually close down all of the sixth forms in Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil were not matters which the court was asked to consider at this stage. This was mainly because the final decision has not yet been made.

This firm has already received many calls from parents who have expressed concern about any decision to close down 6th forms in Wales, many of whom have expressed a desire to legally challenge any decision if made.

Parents no doubt will continue to be concerned that if the decision is ultimately made parental choice will be substantially cut down. Children who may not be ready to be placed within an adult education environment, will have no alternatives open to them apart from within the private sector which many can ill afford. Many parents have expressed concern about the plight of very vulnerable children in such circumstances.

Furthermore, parents of children who hold statements of special needs, will if the decision is implemented, lose the protection of their statements once placed in a college environment. This might have devastating results for children who are unable to manage transitions, or who have carefully drawn up statements of special needs making very specific provision for them which might not be available within a college environment. The loss of a statement of special needs also brings with it, the loss of the same degree of legal protection as a statement must be maintained and delivered by a local authority.

Sinclairslaw partner Mr Charles stated "It is sad that Wales is moving in the opposite direction to England where schools are being provided with greater autonomy. Having represented many schools both in England and Wales, I am fearful that the view that is clearly being expressed, that politicians believe they know better than our highly professional teachers who work with children every day is likely to see many of our most talented teachers moving across the border. The drive to prevent the creation of more foundation schools in Wales demonstrates quite unequivocally that in Wales we are yet to see far more unwelcome government interference."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11521344