Neyland praised for whole-school effort delivering holiday enrichment

NEYLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOL has won a Welsh Government award for its work on the Food and Fun School Holiday Enrichment Programme, which kept children active, engaged and well-fed throughout the summer.

The Food and Fun 10-year celebratory awards were held on November 6 to recognise the outstanding contributions of schools, health boards, collaborations and individuals who have helped deliver the scheme to families across Wales.

Food and Fun provides free healthy meals, informal education and a range of activities for children and young people during school holidays, aiming to support wellbeing and tackle holiday hunger.

Neyland Community School secured the Working Together Award, presented by Sharon Davies, Chief Officer for Education at the WLGA. The judging panel described Neyland as a “shining example” of what can be achieved through a whole-school approach, with staff across all stages working together toward a shared vision to support and uplift pupils.

Participation in the programme has grown significantly over the last three years, with parents and carers responding with strong enthusiasm for the continuity, care and enrichment offered.

Headteacher Clare Hewitt said the impact has been “real, lasting and deeply appreciated.”

“In our first year, we welcomed 40 pupils. This rose to 60 in our second year and, this summer, we were proud to be delivering the scheme to 80 pupils — including children from our newly established Learning Resource Centre,” she said.

“This growth speaks volumes about the programme’s popularity and the trust our community places in it.

“Preparation begins well in advance of the summer holidays. Our dedicated team plans a varied schedule of activities promoting healthy lifestyles, physical wellbeing, social interaction and, of course, fun. Staff give up part of their own break to ensure pupils continue to receive high-quality support.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved. The expansion to include the LRC and the continued support of our wider community all highlight the strength of this provision.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, also congratulated the school.

“This award is a testament to the dedication and teamwork at Neyland Community School,” he said. “The programme not only tackles holiday hunger but enriches the lives of children and families across Pembrokeshire. Initiatives such as this show the power of collaboration, and I am proud to see Neyland leading the way.”

Seven Pembrokeshire primary schools currently take part in the Food and Fun programme, each reporting significant benefits to the wellbeing of pupils.

Caption:

Proud moment: Neyland Community School picked up an award for its Food and Fun programme.

Safety concerns deepen as Cabinet prepares to discuss full roof replacement

SIGNIFICANT new detail has emerged about the structural issues affecting Tenby VC School, with a Pembrokeshire County Council feasibility study confirming that the building’s roof system has deteriorated to the point where only a full replacement will make the site safe.

Built in 2016, the school has suffered ongoing water ingress and damage to its Structural Insulated Panels. The council commissioned a detailed investigation earlier this year, which has now concluded that “Design Option 5” – a complete roof replacement – is the only viable long-term solution. Cabinet is due to consider the findings at its meeting on Monday (Nov 3).

Urgent health and safety measures remain in place at the site, including the installation of 510 acro props across affected sections of the building and the closure of the Early Years and playgroup wing. The council has confirmed that a full decant of pupils and staff will be required while construction takes place, with options for temporary accommodation currently being reviewed.

Routine monitoring is continuing on a half-termly basis, alongside monthly checks of the acro props. A further report setting out a full decant strategy is expected to come before Cabinet no later than January 2026.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the safety of pupils and staff remained the council’s priority. He added: “The findings of the feasibility study are clear. Only a full roof replacement will provide the secure and modern learning environment our children deserve. We are committed to working closely with the school community to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of education throughout the process.”

Further updates on the council’s decision and the decant arrangements will follow as more information becomes available.

CYMDEITHAS YR IAITH has launched preparations to oppose Carmarthenshire County Council’s plans to close three rural Welsh-medium schools, following a contentious decision by the Cabinet on Monday (Nov 17).

The Cabinet agreed to publish a statutory notice to close Ysgol Llansteffan at the end of the 2025–26 academic year, while also approving a statutory consultation on proposals to close Ysgol Meidrim and Ysgol Y Fro, Llangyndeyrn. The move forms part of the council’s long-running Modernising Education Programme, under which a number of small rural schools have already faced review because of falling pupil numbers, surplus places and ongoing budget pressures.

Campaigners say the latest proposals could have serious consequences for rural communities, the sustainability of Welsh-medium education and the Welsh Government’s national Cymraeg 2050 language growth strategy. All three schools serve areas with strong Welsh-speaking populations, and parents have repeatedly argued that closures will force young children to travel further and weaken the cultural and social fabric of their villages.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith has criticised the process followed by the council, highlighting comments made during Monday’s Cabinet meeting that the required Stage 0 discussions with the schools “did not happen properly”. Stage 0 is the statutory preliminary engagement that must be completed before councillors consider formal closure proposals.

Speaking on behalf of Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Carmarthenshire, campaigner Ffred Ffransis said the Cabinet should not have proceeded.

He said: “The cabinet should not have voted for a consultation after admitting that the initial statutory stage of discussion with the schools, known as stage 0, did not happen properly. The council officers’ reports say clearly that a consultation or a statutory notification to close should not be authorised unless councillors were sure that it was the best option.

“The preparation work to ensure responses to the consultations and objections to the statutory notice to close, together with the three schools, will start straight away.”

Cymdeithas yr Iaith is now expected to coordinate its response with parents, governors and local groups across the county, setting the stage for a significant battle over the future of Welsh-medium schooling in rural Carmarthenshire.