MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Union says Welsh Government has funded repairs, meals and swimming lessons but failed to address one of the biggest pressures facing schools

SCHOOL leaders have welcomed extra Welsh Government funding for repairs, free school meals and swimming lessons — but warned that pupils with additional learning needs have been overlooked.

The criticism came after the Welsh Government set out its supplementary budget for 2026-27, including £40m for school buildings and repairs, £15m to expand free school meals in secondary schools, and £2m for swimming lessons.

Laura Doel, national secretary of school leaders’ union NAHT Cymru, said the extra capital funding for school buildings was welcome and would “go some way to plugging the gap”.

She also welcomed the expansion of free school meals, saying no child should go hungry because of their parents’ financial circumstances.

But Ms Doel said the “significant omission” was the lack of additional funding for ALN provision.

She said: “It beggars belief that of money that has come to Wales thanks to investment into additional needs in England, not a penny has gone to support pupils with ALN in Wales.

“We have seen local authorities, directors of education and the profession united on the need for significant investment in supporting our most vulnerable learners, but this government has chosen to ignore the pleas for support.

“It calls into question whether education is a key priority for this government.”

ALN pressure

Additional learning needs provision has become one of the major pressures facing schools and councils across Wales, with rising demand for specialist support, assessments, staffing and placements.

School leaders argue that without dedicated funding, already stretched school budgets are being forced to absorb costs which can affect support for both ALN pupils and the wider school community.

The Welsh Government says the supplementary budget is designed to support key priorities, including public services, schools, health and the cost of living.

But NAHT Cymru said the absence of new ALN money was difficult to justify at a time when schools are repeatedly warning that vulnerable learners need more support.

The Herald has asked the Welsh Government how much of the school buildings funding will come to west Wales and why no specific additional allocation has been made for ALN provision.

PEMBROKESHIRE parents are being urged to check school messages as neighbouring Carmarthenshire prepares to close all secondary schools on Wednesday and Thursday because of extreme heat.

The move in Carmarthenshire has raised questions across west Wales about whether schools in Pembrokeshire could also be affected as temperatures continue to rise.

All secondary schools in Carmarthenshire are set to close for two days, with some primary schools also deciding to shut. There has been no blanket closure decision for primary schools in that county.

In Pembrokeshire, no county-wide secondary school closure announcement has been made at this stage.

Parents should check directly with their child’s school for the latest information, including texts, emails, school apps, websites and social media pages.

The situation may vary from school to school, depending on building conditions, ventilation, classroom temperatures and local circumstances.

The closures in Carmarthenshire come as Wales faces exceptional weather conditions, with concerns about pupil and staff welfare during the heatwave.

Many school buildings, particularly older sites, can become extremely hot during prolonged periods of high temperature.

A Wales-wide picture is now emerging, with schools in several counties considering closures, early finishes or remote learning.

For Pembrokeshire families, the key message is not to assume schools are closed unless official confirmation has been received.

The Herald will continue to monitor updates from Pembrokeshire schools and the county council.