A PEMBROKESHIRE school, which has become a fully Welsh medium one, is to change its name following the backing of senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, at their November 3 meeting were asked to support a revised Instrument of Government for Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch.

The instrument of government sets out how the governing body is constituted and establishes it as a corporate body; it must set out the name of the school along with the composition of the governing body.

A report for members, presented by Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Since 2007, primary and secondary schools have been categorised using the defining schools according to Welsh medium provision, non-statutory guidance.

“The school was categorised as a transitional school, which is, predominantly English-medium schools but with significant use of Welsh Foundation phase pupils and Key Stage 2 pupils are taught in both languages, but more emphasis is given to the English language. The Welsh language is used to teach between 20-50 per cent of the curriculum generally.

“In the previous Welsh in Education Strategic Plan for the Council 2016-2021 the school was identified to become a Welsh medium school.”

It said, over a transition of seven years, the school now functions as a fully Welsh Medium School, adding: “All staff at the school are Welsh speakers so there have been no human resources implications from the report. Children are now taught in the medium of Welsh.

“Following the change in language categorisation of Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch from a ‘transitional school’ to a ‘Welsh Medium’ school in September 2025, the governing body, following consultation with the school community and its governing body wish to change its name from Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch to Ysgol Gymraeg Croesgoch.”

It finished: “Cabinet approval is required for the name change of the school Conclusions It is considered that the governing body’s proposal is sensible and reflects the language that learners are taught at the school.”

After the recommendation was moved by Cllr Woodham, members unanimously backed approval of the revised Instrument of Government.

SCHOOLS in Wales will be required to deliver at least 10% of their teaching in Welsh by 2030 as part of a decade-long plan to implement “landmark” legislation.

Mark Drakeford outlined the Welsh Government’s plan for a phased rollout of the Welsh Language and Education Act which aims to give every child “a fair chance to speak Welsh”.

Under the Act, three school categories will be created – primarily English, partly Welsh; dual language; and primarily Welsh – with targets for each for a minimum of Welsh education.

The ex-First Minister, who is responsible for the language, said all schools should be given a category and provide at least 10%, 50% or 80% of teaching in Welsh by September 2030.

Prof Drakeford told the Senedd he expects “relatively few” schools to need extra time to reach the 10% minimum target, with an extension available until 2036 at the latest.

He said the next step will be to develop a code to describe levels of Welsh language ability based on the common European framework of reference for languages or CEFR.

The Welsh language secretary said this year will also see a review of the trajectory toward reaching a million Welsh speakers and doubling daily use of the language by 2050.

Prof Drakeford explained a target of 50% of learners in Welsh-medium education by 2050 would form part of a consultation on a revised “Cymraeg 2050” strategy in 2026.

In a statement on Tuesday (October 21), he said the National Institute for Learning Welsh, or Athrofa, would be established by August 2027 to support learners of all ages.

The Athrofa will have responsibility for research and helping the education workforce, taking over and expanding on the work of the National Centre for Learning Welsh.

The Conservatives’ Tom Giffard welcomed a detailed timeline for implementation of the Act but expressed disappointment about the lack of an education workforce plan in place.

He said Lynne Neagle, Wales’ education secretary, announced a strategic plan in a written statement at the start of the school year which contained little detail on Welsh teaching.

Prof Drakeford said the Athrofa will build on the success of the National Centre for Learning Welsh which received £4.8m this year and has now trained more than 2,000 practitioners.

Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell echoed concerns about staff shortages as he called for a national plan setting out the next steps to recruit, train and retain teachers.

Mr Campbell, who was involved in developing the then-bill as part of the since-collapsed cooperation deal, said the Act’s success will depend on targets, staffing, and equal access.

He was concerned about some schools being given an extra six years to hit the 10% target.

The former lecturer said: “In Plaid Cymru’s view, that should be a far shorter period because it will give too many schools an excuse not to commit to delivering that target.”

His party colleague Heledd Fychan warned: “It means that a child could be born now, depending on their postcode, who may not see any difference whatsoever, having seen this legislation passed, until they leave primary school.”

Prof Drakeford said including an extension was a response to concerns raised by schools in south-east Wales about a lack of Welsh speaking staff and time for implementation.

“I don’t want to see more schools than necessary having more time,” he told the Senedd, but added it was important to give schools confidence to “come along on this journey with us”.

The former first minister concluded:  “The impact of the Act goes far beyond education: it is about culture, identity and community, it is about making the language part of everyday life.”

COMMUNITY groups across Wales can now apply for grants of up to £10,000 to help them start a social business or community-led housing project.

For over three years, the scheme has supported Welsh-speaking communities with high densities of second homes, with 64 grants awarded across Gwynedd, Conwy, Anglesey, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Even more communities will now be able to benefit from the grant as it opens across the whole of Wales, with funding increased to £400,000 for this year.

The Perthyn grant scheme has helped Bys a Bawd Pawb set up as a Community Benefit Society in Llanrwst, Conwy, where the community has come together with the aim of buying and running a beloved shop that has served the community for 50 years. The project aims to create a Welsh literary hub, provide affordable accommodation for local people above the shop as well as offering job and volunteering opportunities.

Nia Clwyd Owen, Councillor for Llanrwst and Llanddoged and Chair of the Bys a Bawd Pawb Working Group said:

“Without the support of the Perthyn grant, it is unlikely that Bys a Bawd Pawb would be in the strong position the community enterprise finds itself in today. The grant has been fundamental to the development of the initiative, enabling the group to appoint a consultant to lead on the community share offer scheme. The work she undertook to raise awareness of the project was invaluable.

“In addition, the grant was used to host a series of events in Llanrwst, giving the local community the opportunity to learn more about the initiative and support it through investment.

“This success is a testament to the power of communities when given the right support. We would like to thank the Perthyn grant scheme for their backing, and the community for their enthusiasm and commitment to creating positive local change.”

Hwb Penmachno has also received a Perthyn grant award, to help the community with early-stage elements of their community-led housing initiative.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language: “These inspiring community-led projects demonstrate the power of local action to strengthen Welsh-speaking communities. By expanding the Perthyn grant scheme across Wales, we’re giving more communities the chance to take control of their housing future and ensure the Welsh language remains at the heart of their initiatives.”

Community groups must apply at the latest by 21 November 2025 here: Perthyn – Cwmpas