A CAERPHILLY councillor accused a group of headteachers of playground behaviour after they said the authority showed Cwmcarn High School "favourable treatment."

The teachers made the claim after the council agreed to pay £1 million to remove asbestos from the Cwmcarn site.

An open letter, signed by 12 of the county's 14 head teachers and sent to pupils and councillors last week, blasted the plan as "an inappropriate use of public funds" and called on the council to withhold the money in light of the 21st Century Schools programme, which will eventually see three county secondary schools close.

Risca West councillor David Rees said: "I would have expected to see such behaviour in the playground, not by leaders of our most important assets for children. The school is going through a difficult time already, this should have been managed a lot better."

Pupils from Cwmcarn are currently being taught at the Learning Zone in Ebbw Vale.

Kelly East, a Cwmcarn parent who campaigned to save the school earlier this year, said pupils have taken the letter to heart.

"The council unanimously approved us having a grant, which means it is not a complete handout of money to the school," she said.

"It's saddening that people in high stations haven't taken into consideration the pupils, some of whom have exams and have been upset on Facebook."

The letter also accused Cwmcarn's head teacher Jacqui Peplinski of suggesting the school's future would be guaranteed following the asbestos repairs.

A council spokeswoman said the decision taken by members stands and the school is responsible for any overspend. The funding will be released on a staged basis once the council is satisfied works are compliant along the way.

Mrs Peplinski responded on the school's website, stating that the purpose of the grant is the removal of the asbestos, not school improvements.

Head teachers who signed the letter

THE letter was signed by John Kendall, head teacher at Risca Comprehensive, on behalf of Peter Ward at Bedwas High School; Ravi Pawar at Blackwood Comprehensive; Owain ap Dafydd at Ysgol Gymraeg Cwm Rhymni; Heather Duncan at Lewis Girls' School; Chris Parry at Lewis Pengam; Lesley Perry at Newbridge School; Chris David at Oakdale Comprehensive; Tim Williams at Pontllanffraith Comprehensive; Robert Davies at Rhymney Comprehensive; Ian Kilcoyne at St Cenydd Comprehensive; and Kerry Davies at St Martin's School.

The deputy head teacher of Heolddu Comprehensive in Bargoed, which was the only Caerphilly secondary school apart from Cwmcarn not to sign, said he had no comment.

Last week Mr Kendall, who is also chairman of the Caerphilly Secondary Heads Association, refused to discuss the letter "pending discussion with the council".