A national secularist organisation has backed Pembrokeshire County Council’s plans for Cilgerran school, while the Church in Wales continues to oppose the proposed change and has warned of possible legal action

PLANS to replace Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School with a community school have prompted sharply differing responses from education and religious organisations.

Pembrokeshire County Council has proposed discontinuing the existing voluntary controlled school and establishing a new 3-11 community school on the site.

The authority has argued that changing the school’s status could provide greater flexibility when considering its long-term future, including the possibility of federation with other nearby community schools.

However, the proposal has faced strong opposition from the Church in Wales, the Diocese of St Davids and members of the school community.

The Church has questioned the council’s justification for the change and says the overwhelming majority of responses submitted during the statutory consultation opposed the proposal.

It has also raised concerns about the future use of the school buildings and land, which are owned by the Diocese of St Davids.

The Church in Wales has issued formal notice that legal action may follow if the council proceeds and has said the diocese would not agree to the premises being used for a community school without the relevant legal and property matters being resolved.

Pembrokeshire County Council has said no change would be implemented until questions surrounding land ownership and occupation rights had been addressed in accordance with legal and statutory requirements.

The National Secular Society has now entered the debate, welcoming the council’s proposal.

The organisation, which campaigns for the separation of religion and the state, said community schools were more inclusive and better reflected the religious diversity of modern Wales.

It said: “Inclusive schools which educate pupils together are one of our best means of promoting community cohesion.”

The society also argued that publicly funded schools should be managed in the interests of families from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.

Its intervention is unlikely to resolve the disagreement surrounding the future of the school, with the council, the Church and local stakeholders continuing to hold significantly different views.

The proposal concerns the legal status and governance of the school. It does not mean that pupils or families with Christian beliefs would be excluded from attending the proposed community school.

Equally, opponents of the change argue that Cilgerran school’s Church in Wales identity is an important part of its history and relationship with the local community.

Any final decision will need to take account of the consultation responses, the council’s education strategy, the interests of pupils and staff, and the unresolved legal and property issues surrounding the site.

PLANS for works at a Pembrokeshire ‘bug farm’ to allow it “to maintain its high-quality farming, research, and educational facility” have been submitted to the national park.

In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Dr Sarah Beynon of Doctor Beynon’s Bug Farm Ltd, Lower Harglodd, St Davids, through agent Pembroke Design Ltd, seeks permission to for the removal and replacement of a shed on site with a modern one, which the applicant says will “allow the business to extend its season to the visitor experience”.

Dr Beynon’s Bug Farm, just outside St Davids, is the vision of Dr Sarah Beynon, who wanted to combine her love of farming, academic research and education by setting up a centre of excellence in her hometown of St Davids.

It offers a ‘friendly quirky and unique attraction’ for nature lovers and foodies set on a historic Welsh farm.

It boasts a tropical bug zoo, a bug museum, a recently opened nature recovery centre, a farming history museum, a farm trail across wildflower meadows, wetland and woodland, a peaceful walled garden, an art gallery, an indoor play barn and gift shop.

The farm is also home to Grub Kitchen, the UK’s first edible insect café, which offers a nature-friendly menu created from largely organic and local produce, with plenty of non-insect options too.

A supporting statement accompanying the application says the post-war shed, originally used for farm machinery by the applicant’s uncle has long passed its ‘sell by date’, and is not practical or feasible to repair; its replacement “will allow the Bug Farm business to continue to use it to provide educational opportunity and match the building to the rest of the farm buildings”.

The statement adds: “The farm has been named as one of Wales’s top 10 farms for rare arable plants and was used as a 2026 PCNPA case study for a private Naturfa site. Ten percent of the farm has been planted with native woodland since 2023, and the farm has been invited to be designated as part of the National Forest of Wales and will apply for Naturfa status.”

It went on to say: “In creating the nature reserve Sarah has created an educational facility to showcase the work done and to explain the effects it has on improving the wildlife habitat. It has been a huge success.

“The existing proposed Nature Discovery Centre is an educational space to enthuse people about nature and what they can do to reverse the declines of wildlife by discovering just how fascinating it is.

“Over the last few years, work has been carried out on the Nature Recovery Education Centre. Phase 2- Fit Out is due to commence shortly.

“The current proposal to replace the shed will allow the site to maintain its high-quality farming, research, and educational facility.”

It finished: “Once complete the site will enhance the great agricultural, research and educational destination for schools, universities, conservation/ farming groups and day visitors alike.”

The application will be considered by Park planners at a later date.

ROCH COMMUNITY SCHOOL has received a positive inspection report from Estyn, which describes the school as a “close, caring community” where pupils feel safe, valued and well supported.

Inspectors highlighted the school’s nurturing ethos, positive relationships and strong sense of belonging, which help pupils to thrive both academically and personally.

The report found that pupils behave well, demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and contribute meaningfully to school life through a range of leadership opportunities.

Pupils were praised for their confidence, teamwork and respect for others. Inspectors also noted that children feel their views are listened to and valued by the school.

Teaching was recognised as effective, with engaging learning experiences, well-paced lessons and constructive feedback helping pupils to make good progress.

The report also commended the school’s successful support for pupils’ wellbeing and additional learning needs. Its nurture provision was found to be having a particularly positive impact on pupils’ confidence and social development.

Inspectors found that pupils make good progress in reading, writing, mathematics and digital skills, while also demonstrating a strong understanding of online safety.

The school’s broad curriculum was also praised, alongside the opportunities given to pupils to work both independently and collaboratively.

Headteacher Owen Good said: “We are very pleased that the inspection recognised the strength of our school community and the positive environment we provide for our pupils.

“It reflects the collective efforts of our staff, pupils, families and governors, and gives the school a strong foundation on which to continue building.”