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Education

Tenby’s Greenhill School hailed ‘a place to be proud of’

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A PEMBROKESHIRE school, which once faced the bleak possibility of potential closure, is now a school to be proud of, county councillors heard.

Tenby’s Ysgol Greenhill School was taken out of special measures last year following an inspection by Estyn.

The 879-pupil school was placed under the most serious statutory category by the education inspection body in December 2019 after it was stated that teaching was ‘not sufficiently effective’.

Under the leadership of headteacher David Haynes, who was appointed in September 2021, a positive report resulted from Estyn – Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales.

Following that, a Pembrokeshire County Council Schools Scrutiny Panel visit to the school was made in May, members of the council’s Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard.

A report for members stated: “It was clear that the deputy headteacher, learners and teaching staff had remained committed to the school despite the dark times which had been experienced.

“It was reassuring to see that the perception of the school was improving with clear teaching and learning aspirations being supported by sound plans and learners expressing that they now felt content and safe within the school.

“The panel appreciated the candour of current areas of concern raised by both the learners and the leadership team and whilst noting the ongoing severe funding pressures, expressed that they would do all within their power to support, where appropriate, plans for remedial works to be undertaken, in line with the authority’s capital programme.

“The panel was reassured to learn that the Governing Body and Director of Education had displayed strong support but also critical challenge throughout the improvement journey and panel members expressed genuine respect for the difficult conversations held with the school, particularly in September 2021, when closure of the school was needing to be seriously considered.

“The panel was confident that the components put in place would ensure continuous improvement for the school, particularly in relation to the support partnership with [Swansea-based] Bishop Gore School and the self-evaluation methods which had been embedded.

“Recognition of personal and professional development was expressed by the panel, and it was felt that progression of teaching staff into leadership roles was vital for the robustness of education within the county.”

In its recommendations, the report stated: “The panel noted that a plethora of resources were not poured into the school and that the stripped back arrangements appeared to be successful in terms of school improvement.

“This required an honest assessment within the school of the extent of the challenges which lay ahead. The panel felt that this model of support should be considered for schools improvement at other schools.”

Former pupil Cllr Alistair Cameron said: “Greenhill has a growing reputation in the area; to be blunt it wasn’t fantastic a few years ago, we can all learn lessons for the future.

“The answer to this is not putting in lots of resources from outside but about the staff and students working together.”

Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, also a member of the school governors, said: “It’s been a bumpy few years, with Covid put into the mix as well; prior to Covid there was very much a cloud over it. The feeling was: ‘What on earth is going on at Greenhill?’.”

She said there was a different environment now: “When you walk in the school there’s a real sense of happiness now, you wanted to show us how good the school is again.”

Former head prefect Amelia Faletau said: “The improvements have just been absolutely immense during my time in Greenhill; we don’t have the best building in the world, but we do our best.

“The ethos has improved so much; I hope that what we’ve achieved continues and prospers in coming years. This school is something that everyone should take pride in, I’m very proud of Greenhill, especially what it is now.”

Members agreed to support the report recommendations.

 

Community

Music in the air as record numbers join school festival

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A RECORD number of young musicians from across Pembrokeshire took part in this year’s Valero Primary Music Festival, with nearly 600 pupils showcasing their talents.

The event, organised by Pembrokeshire Music Service, was held at Ysgol Caer Elen on Saturday (March 14), drawing a large and enthusiastic audience.

The festival’s overall winner was Hafan y Môr pupil Carys Meiring, who impressed judges with a standout trombone performance of Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off. She had earlier secured victory in the open brass class.

Young talent shines

The afternoon Spotlight concert opened with an energetic performance from the county’s Second Steps ensembles, bringing together young players from across Pembrokeshire.

Winners from the day’s open classes also took to the stage, highlighting the depth of musical talent across local schools.

Osian Kite, of Roch CP School, won the open woodwind class with a performance of Sentimental Serenade on alto saxophone.

Cadi Marshall-Jones, from Ysgol Bro Preseli, claimed the open piano and harp title with Over the Sea to Skye, while Roch CP School cellist Mari Broomfield won the open strings category with Vamoose.

In percussion, Ysgol Caer Elen’s Aled Hooper secured first place in the open class with a drum kit performance of Are You Gonna Go My Way.

The open ensemble prize went to Tavernspite pupils Finn Hickman and Evelyn James, whose piano duet of Handel’s Passacaglia impressed both judges and audience.

Building confidence through music

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, Philippa Roberts said the festival continues to play a vital role in developing young performers.

She said: “Pembrokeshire Music Service is proud to deliver the Valero Music Festival, offering an exciting opportunity to nearly 600 young performers from across the county.

“Providing children with the chance to perform, shine, and receive supportive feedback from professional musicians is incredibly powerful and helps build lasting confidence.

“In line with the Music Plan for Wales, we remain committed to creating meaningful musical experiences for children throughout Pembrokeshire. Our sincere thanks go to Valero for their fantastic support.”

The festival forms part of a wider effort to promote music education across Wales, encouraging participation and nurturing the next generation of performers.

Photo caption:

Talented performers: Overall winner Carys Meiring is pictured with fellow category winners and organisers (Pic: Pembrokeshire Music Service).

 

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Education

Final closure decision set for Clydau and Manorbier schools after earlier vote

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Extraordinary council meeting will consider objections before final ruling

THE FUTURE of two Pembrokeshire schools will be decided in June, despite councillors already backing plans in principle to close them.

Pembrokeshire County Council has confirmed that an extraordinary Full Council meeting will take place on Monday (June 15) to consider objection reports relating to the proposed discontinuation of Ysgol Clydau and Manorbier Church in Wales VC School.

The meeting represents the final stage in the statutory process, where councillors will decide whether to proceed with closure after reviewing formal objections.

The Herald understands that the extraordinary session has been called because the timetable for the proposals does not align with regular council meeting dates.

Last chance to overturn decision

Although councillors have already voted in favour of closure in principle, the June meeting is not a formality.

Campaigners still have a narrow window to influence the outcome, with councillors able to change their position after considering objections and any new evidence.

In rare cases, proposals have been halted or reversed at this final stage — particularly where strong community opposition or concerns over the accuracy of data have been raised.

However, the earlier vote means the schools remain at significant risk, with the council having already indicated its preferred direction.

Political pressure building

The confirmation comes amid growing community concern and a mounting campaign to save Ysgol Clydau.

Campaign group Save Ysgol Clydau – Cadw Clydau yn Gadarn has described the situation as a “critical moment,” urging residents to challenge political parties ahead of the upcoming elections.

Supporters argue that the future of the school is closely tied to the survival of rural communities and the Welsh language.

The group has also thanked councillors — particularly members of the Independent group — for their support.

Decision looming

The June 15 meeting is expected to draw significant public attention, with strong attendance likely as councillors prepare to make a final, legally binding decision.

If approved, the proposal would result in the closure of both schools.

 

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Community

Pembrokeshire school allows Sikh pupil to wear Kirpan

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A PEMBROKESHIRE school and the council are providing reassurance after parents raised fears following an announcement that a Sikh pupil would be allowed to wear a ceremonial dagger for religious reasons.

An email sent to parents from the school’s headteacher said: “We have recently welcomed a Sikh family to our school community.

“As part of their faith, practising Amrhitrdhari Sikhs, over the age of 14, are required to wear certain symbolic items, one of which is the kirpan. In this case, the learner is wearing a small, sheathed ceremonial kirpan (that is secured and cannot be unsheathed). It is worn purely as a religious symbol and not as a functional item.

“We have taken appropriate steps to ensure that this is managed safely and in accordance with our safeguarding responsibilities, the laws of the United Kingdom, and our commitment to respecting the religious beliefs of all learners.

“We will continue to monitor this sensitively and appropriately.”

The kirpan is a mandatory article of faith worn by initiated (Amritdhari) Khalsa Sikhs, representing a commitment to spirituality, justice, and defending the innocent. Often a small steel or iron blade, it is one of the five Ks worn at all times by Sikhs.

It has been described as not a weapon of violence but a ‘weapon of grace,’ a symbol of courage, self-defence, and the duty to protect the weak and uphold justice.

Concerns have been raised by parents on social media, with one saying her daughter was made to take off her false nails she had got done for her birthday as the school classed them as “a dangerous weapon,” saying she refused and got sent home.

Another said: “Allowing that in a school? They planning on having a copper follow them everywhere every school day? Surely they cannot walk around with a blade in school, religious or not surely that’s not okay! I have absolutely no issue with any religion at all but that is dangerous for people, they could hurt someone whether accidental or intentional.”

The school’s uniform policy stresses: “Sikhism requires that a baptised Sikh should carry a comb (Khanga); steel bracelets (Kara) and a short sword or dagger (Kirpan). These additions to the jewellery / accessory rules are permitted, but any kirpan must be ceremonial: that is, safe and incapable of being used as a weapon.”

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “The council is aware of the issue and provided guidance and advice to [the school].

“The school will follow their safeguarding process as outlined in the letter to parents and the council is satisfied that appropriate measures are in place at the school.”

 

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