Education

News from schools across the county

Published

11 years ago

February 17, 2015

THE JUNIOR and secondary schools in Pembrokeshire have been talking to us at The Herald about what has been happening and what will be happening at schools this term.

Wolfscastle Community Primary School have been preparing for the Urdd Eisteddfod with stage performances and craft projects. Their willow maze is still looking as wonderful as ever and the Young Farmers of Fishguard will be coming in to re-weave it during half term. The Welsh Club have been thinking of topics that they can bring home and discuss with their family and neighbours in Welsh. They then talk about this in their assemblies. They have also taken part in National Story Telling Week, where the children have been reading to parents and each other.

Neyland Community School have just finished Science Week, but are currently learning about penguins and the Antarctic. They even have igloos in their classrooms. The eco committee in their school are working on a project to help protect the bees called ‘Natural Buzz’. Victoria Bookshop have provided chessboards so that the children can learn how to play chess in their morning library sessions. ‘Crw Cymraeg’ are working to promote the Welsh language in the school and they have ‘Family Learning’ to help parents and children with Welsh on Thursday afternoons. The Sleep Service will run again on February 9 to help parents and children who are experience sleep problems. They also have a book fair coming up, and the year six pupils will be going on their annual trip to the Llangrannog Urdd Centre to new skills and improve their Welsh later this month.

Broad Haven Primary School are in the middle of a new refurbishment. A total of £2.2m will go towards the schools extension, which will allow them to change their pupil age range from 4-11 to ages 3-11. They will also be refurbishing their outside areas and I.T infrastructure. They will have this ready for September when the children return from their summer holidays.

Mary Immaculate School have been excelling in regards to sport. Their netball team have made it through to the regional finals after becoming local winners. They hope to follow in the footsteps of last year’s netball team, who became runners up in the Welsh Championships. The girls football team were runners up in the Pembrokeshire tournament. Through their ‘Ddraig Goch’ scheme, they have been giving out weekly prizes encouraging the use of Welsh in school. Year 6 will be leading a parish mass at St. David’s and St. Patrick’s church. This is a huge thing for them. Year 3 are taking part in a concert next Wednesday (Feb 11) called ‘The Goblin Next Door’ while Year 6 go on a three day trip to Cardiff Urdd.

Puncheston Community School have set their weekly theme to ‘Come with me to the Land of Legends’, where all of the classes will be studying local and Welsh legends and myths. The school were recently visited by Silent World Aquarium, where the children were able to handle a number of animals native to the Pembrokeshire coast. The older pupils will be going to the River Gwaun for their Geography trip. Everyone will be preparing for both on and off stage events at the Urdd Eisteddfod.

So as you can see it’s a busy, but clearly very fun, term for many of Pembrokeshire’s schools!

Education

Carmarthenshire schools praised as careers pilot expands nationwide

Published

6 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SCHOOLS in Carmarthenshire have been recognised for improving careers education as a national rollout of a new award scheme moves a step closer.

The Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA), which has been piloted since September 2023, has involved 66 schools and education settings across Wales. These include primary and secondary schools, special schools, pupil referral units and EOTAS provisions.

Among those taking part are Ysgol Glan-y-Mor, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Ysgol Gynradd Llandybie and Burry Port Community Primary School.

Early feedback from the pilot suggests schools have strengthened leadership and planning around careers education, improved engagement with parents and employers, and increased pupils’ involvement in shaping their own learning. Teachers have also reported greater confidence in delivering careers-related lessons.

The scheme focuses on careers and work-related experiences for learners aged three to 16, aligned with the Curriculum for Wales.

Registration has now opened for schools across Wales to join the programme from September 2026.

The award is split into three stages — leadership, development and impact — designed to help schools build a structured approach to careers education and demonstrate its impact on pupils.

A national rollout will also introduce Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, aimed at recognising progress while allowing flexibility for different schools.

Mark Owen, Head of Stakeholder Services at Careers Wales, said the pilot had helped shape the scheme ahead of its wider launch.

He said: “High-quality careers and work-related experiences play an essential role in helping learners understand their options and develop the confidence and skills they need for the future.

“We’re encouraged by the positive impact we’re already seeing and look forward to welcoming more schools to take part.”

Education

Milford Haven School celebrates Year 11 leavers as ASPIRE awards evening

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL recently hosted a special ASPIRE celebration evening to honour its 2025 Year 11 leavers.

The event recognised the hard work and commitment shown by pupils throughout their studies, as well as their examination successes, while marking the start of their next chapter.

A highlight of the evening was a return visit from former pupil Ben Robertson, who attended as guest speaker. He shared his journey since leaving school, including building a successful career in digital marketing. Ben now works as a Digital Marketing Manager at Paragon Bank and was recently named Greater Birmingham Young Professional of the Year 2025.

Staff said it was a pleasure to welcome back former students and hear about the varied and exciting paths they are now pursuing.

The school also thanked award sponsors for their continued support in recognising student achievement.

Well done to the Class of 2025.

Education

Pembrokeshire schools recognised in Careers Wales pilot as national rollout begins

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire have been recognised for their role in a major Welsh pilot scheme aimed at improving careers education, as a national rollout prepares to open later this year.

The Careers Wales Quality Award (CWQA), launched in September 2023, has seen 66 schools and education settings across Wales take part, including Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and Pembrokeshire Learning Centre.

The scheme focuses on strengthening careers and work-related experiences (CWRE) for pupils aged three to sixteen, in line with the Curriculum for Wales.

Early feedback from pilot schools highlights a number of benefits, including stronger leadership and planning, improved engagement with parents and employers, and increased confidence among teachers delivering careers-related learning.

Schools also reported that the programme has helped ensure careers education remains a consistent priority across school life.

Gareth Williams, of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “Being part of the pilot has made us realise we are doing more than we thought.

“It’s encouraged us to rethink things like parent evenings by inviting employers in, and it keeps careers high on the agenda in everything we do.”

The award is delivered in three stages—Leadership, Development and Impact—guiding schools from planning their approach to fully embedding careers education and demonstrating its impact on learners.

Careers Wales says the pilot has helped shape the scheme ahead of its wider launch, with participating schools working closely with curriculum coordinators to refine the framework.

The national rollout will introduce Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, allowing schools to progress at their own pace while recognising achievement.

Mark Owen, Head of Stakeholder Services at Careers Wales, said: “High-quality careers and work-related experiences are essential in helping learners understand their options and develop the confidence and skills they need for the future.

“The quality award provides a clear and supportive framework for schools to embed this work across the curriculum.”