Education

Islwyn MS says Wales faces ‘watershed moment for culture’

Published

2 years ago

September 22, 2024

A SENEDD member warned Wales faces a watershed moment for culture as the Welsh Parliament debated cuts at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Rhianon Passmore led a Senedd debate on a 10,560-name petition against the RWCMD’s decision to cut junior programmes which were established 25 years ago.

The Labour backbencher, who represents Islwyn, said the petitions committee is extremely concerned about the impact of funding cuts on the pipeline for talented musicians.

Ms Passmore, who has been chairing the committee temporarily, warned: “This would leave Welsh children at a profound disadvantage to their English and Scottish counterparts.”

She told the Senedd the scaling back of youth services is a “hugely significant blow” to the college’s ability to support learners from poorer backgrounds.

Ms Passmore, a former music teacher who is chair of the cross-party group on music, pointed out that the Welsh Government’s draft budget will be published in December.

She said: “How we minimise the impact of funding cuts on our cultural institutions in the current economic climate is a critical issue for Wales and for our young people.”

The Islwyn MS welcomed the Welsh Government’s “encouraging” announcement of an additional £5m for culture and arm’s-length bodies such as the Arts Council of Wales.

But Ms Passmore warned: “The economic impact of stifling music development and the nurturing of our young people’s musical talent is of grave concern.”

She added: “Unless the Welsh Government steps in to safeguard institutions like the RWCMD, then we are at a watershed moment in the regression of Welsh cultural life.

“This is without the devastating reduction of Welsh National Opera to a part-time outfit.”

Peter Fox, a Conservative member of the petitions committee, warned the cuts will result in 112 staff losing their jobs and a loss of 400 students.

He said: “This will be an incredibly damaging blow to the arts scene … and threatens the future of an important part of our future cultural offer.

“It is a jewel in the crown we should be proud of and we should look to preserve.

“Sometimes, things aren’t always about money – they’re about social value and the importance that these things bring.”

Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, said about 50% of students received bursaries, with many paying minimal or no fees.

He warned that many talented young musicians will find accessing training unaffordable, saying the cuts will have an incredibly detrimental impact.

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow culture secretary, recognised the “huge” financial pressure on the RWCMD which faced a 6% cut in public funding this year.

She said: “They need to make 10% spending savings this year, which corresponds to £1.5m and closing the provision that we’re addressing today contributes 16% of the 10% needed.”

Ms Fychan cautioned that a generation of the most talented young Welsh artists have been disenfranchised and “reduced to an elite few who can afford private tuition”.

Julie Morgan, the Labour MS for Cardiff North, visited the RWCMD during the consultation.

“It was actually heartbreaking, particularly on the last day…,” she said. ”People didn’t know what other opportunities there would be. They didn’t have anywhere to go….

“It just seemed so awful that this was happening here in Wales and that this was happening to something that was so important for the hopes and the future of our young people.”

Ms Morgan, a former minister and MP, told the chamber alternative proposals were put forward but were not seriously considered by the college.

She added: “The other point is that children were taught in Welsh and in English, which was the only facility that offered this. So, it just makes you think: why on earth did this happen?”

The Conservatives’ Tom Giffard, who represents South Wales West, pointed out that culture bore the brunt of cuts in this year’s Welsh Government budget.

He said: “We can talk all the warm words we like about the importance of the junior academy, but without putting the funding in place to support it, unfortunately the Welsh Government has practically condemned it to close.”

Rhys ab Owen, an independent member of the petitions committee, said he has received countless letters from concerned constituents.

The South Wales Central MS said: “We can boast as much as we like that Wales is the land of song but it doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

“The accolade is meaningless if we just rely on the glory of the past because that’s what will happen, if schools like this and musical services are continuing to be depleted…. Wales will be less musical, not more musical than other nations, if we continue down this road.”

Jenny Rathbone, the Labour MS for Cardiff Central, said it was a tragedy that the debate took place after the decision to close the junior department had already been made.

“In a sense, it’s an affront to all the people who bothered to sign the petition that the Royal Welsh College wasn’t prepared to wait and see what solutions could be arrived at,” she said.

“I’ve no doubt that change was needed and was inevitable because of the financial circumstances but I feel hugely disappointed that this decision was rushed ahead.”

Vikki Howells, who was appointed further and higher education minister last week, responded to the debate on September 18 on behalf of the Welsh Government.

She recognised the strength of feeling and financial challenges as she pledged to continue talks with the college as it shapes proposals for future provision.

Ms Howells pointed to the Welsh Government’s national plan for music education, saying key partners will provide support and signposting to talented young musicians.

The junior minister told the chamber the national music service has received significant investment, totalling £13m from 2022-25.

She stressed that it is not the role of ministers to intervene in the operational detail nor routine financial management of institutions.

“These decisions are clearly a matter for the college,” she said.

Education

Pembrokeshire school wins national climate innovation award

Published

12 hours ago

June 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi praised for pioneering ideas to protect rivers, wildlife and the environment

A PEMBROKESHIRE school has been recognised at a prestigious Wales-wide climate awards ceremony after pupils impressed judges with innovative ideas to tackle biodiversity loss and water pollution.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi was named the winner of the Protect and Restore Nature category in Keep Wales Tidy’s Climate Challenge Cymru competition, inspired by The Earthshot Prize.

The school earned the award for a series of creative environmental solutions, including proposals for solar-powered systems designed to help protect rivers and lakes while improving local biodiversity.

Pupils and staff travelled to Cardiff to receive the award during a special ceremony held on Wednesday (June 17), where they were presented with their trophy by ecologist and nature campaigner Joe Wilkins.

Climate Challenge Cymru invited primary and secondary schools from across Wales to submit short videos showcasing innovative ideas to tackle one of five major environmental challenges, known as the Earthshots. These included creating a waste-free world, improving air quality, tackling climate change, protecting nature and restoring the world’s oceans.

The Pembrokeshire school’s winning entry stood out for its imaginative approach to protecting natural habitats and improving water quality through sustainable technology.

Lucy Vaughan, Geography Teacher and Leader of Pupil Voice at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “I have been so impressed with all of the amazing entries that have been shared at this prestigious event and am immensely proud of our pupils for winning this challenge.

“The creativity, passion, teamwork and commitment they have shown have been truly inspiring. Their innovative ideas and determination to make a positive difference for the environment give me real hope for the future.”

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire praised the standard of entries from schools across Wales.

He said: “It has been a privilege to spend the day at Climate Challenge Cymru, surrounded by the ideas and ambition of young people from right across Wales.

“The projects on display are a testament not only to their creativity but to their resolve to make a real difference in Wales and beyond. Seeing the next generation lead with such confidence gives me every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.”

The competition is organised by Keep Wales Tidy’s Eco-Schools team in partnership with the Welsh Government and is inspired by The Earthshot Prize, the international environmental initiative launched by Prince William to encourage practical solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges.

The success of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi highlights the growing role Pembrokeshire’s young people are playing in developing innovative ideas to tackle environmental issues, particularly those affecting the county’s rivers, coastline and wildlife.

Photo caption: Award winners: Pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi celebrate after winning the Protect and Restore Nature category at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards in Cardiff, alongside Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire (left) and ecologist Joe Wilkins (right).

Education

Welsh-medium provision to be expanded in some urban areas of Carmarthenshire

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CYMDEITHAS YR LAITH has welcomed Carmarthenshire County Council’s decision to expand Welsh-medium education provision in some of the county’s urban areas.

The Council’s Education, Young People and Welsh Language Scrutiny Committee approved a recommendation to consult on making a regulated change to Welsh-language provision in the following primary schools: Ysgol Bro Banw, Ysgol Griffith Jones, Ysgol Llangynnwr, and Ysgol Llandybie. The decision will go before the Cabinet on Monday (29/06/2026) for final approval.

A spokesperson for Cymdeithas yr Iaith’s Carmarthenshire Region said: “We are very pleased that the Council intends to expand Welsh-medium education provision in these schools, moving closer to the goal of ensuring that no pupil is deprived of the ability to work and communicate confidently in both languages.

“We particularly welcome the changes at the large urban school, Ysgol Bro Banw. However, we seek clarification regarding the decision to introduce bilingual provision at the school, rather than converting it into a fully Welsh-medium school. Research shows that Welsh-medium education is the only way to ensure bilingualism among young people.

“It is worth noting that there are seven bilingual primary schools in the county, in addition to those mentioned in the report, and several of these provide only Welsh-medium education during the Foundation Phase. We therefore encourage the Council to continue the work of converting all these bilingual schools into Welsh-medium schools and to address gaps in Welsh-medium education provision in areas such as the south-west of the county and the town of Carmarthen as well.

“At the same time, we are disappointed that the Council is removing Welsh-medium education from our rural communities. Although they are increasing capacity in St Clears, they are simultaneously losing Welsh-medium capacity in the area through their plans to close Ysgol Meidrim. We therefore call for a new and sustainable strategy for rural education.”

The spokesperson added: “We look forward to the Council’s next announcement, when the names of four additional schools will be revealed. Nevertheless, it is disappointing that we have to wait until the autumn for that announcement. We respectfully ask the Council to accelerate the process in order to prevent the ongoing injustice whereby pupils are being deprived of the ability to communicate and work in Welsh as well as English.”

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

1 day ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

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.