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Education

Pressure mounts on Pembrokeshire Council to revert school catchment areas

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PRESSURE is being put on Pembrokeshire County Council to revert the Johnston and Tiers Cross school catchment areas.

The calls are being made as an ever-increasing number of Haverfordwest High pupils are currently having to pay for transport to and from the school.

A large number of these students are travelling from Neyland, Johnston, and Tiers Cross, despite no longer being in the catchment area for Haverfordwest High VC School. Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy states these areas are now in the Milford Haven school catchment area. As a result, children from these areas who choose to attend Haverfordwest High are no longer eligible for free transport.

Although these areas are served by flexi buses and service buses, it is becoming increasingly difficult for children to secure a place on the buses, as the number of children requiring transport to Haverfordwest continues to rise. There are also financial implications; the cost of a return journey to Haverfordwest High from Neyland on a flexi bus currently stands at £20 a week.

The schools currently in the Haverfordwest cluster are: Haverfordwest High School, Prendergast Community Primary School, Roch Community School, Spittal School, St Aidan’s Church in Wales School, Broad Haven Primary School, Fenton Community Primary School, Hook Community Primary School, Cleddau Reach VC Primary School, Waldo Williams Primary School, St Mark’s Church in Wales VC Primary School, and Mary Immaculate School.

An ePetition has now been launched, calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to change the Johnston and Tiers Cross school catchment areas back to Haverfordwest.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school,” states the petition.

The ePetition runs until 1 November 2024. At the time of going to press, it had been signed by 328 people. The petition can be viewed here

Education

Milford Haven School first to achieve gold in carer’s scheme

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MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL have been recognised for their commitment to and support for young carers and is the first school to achieve the top level award.

The school have achieved the Investors in Carers Gold Level award for its work for learners and staff who are carers.

The scheme is delivered by Hywel Dda University Health Board and supported by local authority and third sector partners in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Investors in Carers initiative was originally designed to help health facilities such as GP practices, areas within hospitals and other organisations focus on and improve their carer awareness.

This scheme has now extended to many other teams, services, and organisations. It is a scheme that provides a foundation for helping to identify and support unpaid carers of all ages.

Milford Haven School was assessed against the six themes within the scheme: Carer Lead, Staff training, Identification, Information and Support for carers and Evaluation.

Janette Reynolds, Assistant Head Teacher said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive the Gold Investors in Carers Award, it is a testament to our commitment to supporting and recognizing the invaluable contributions of carers within our community. It was about developing a culture that respects, empowers, and advocates for the wellbeing of carers at Milford Haven School. 

“We will continue to strive towards providing the best possible support, ensuring carers feel valued and equipped to balance their responsibilities.”  

Pembrokeshire County Council Carers Champion, Councillor Mike James said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Everyone at Milford Haven School should be extremely proud of their hard work and commitment that has led to them becoming the first school in Pembrokeshire to receive the Gold Investors in Carers award.

“The award recognises the awareness and support for carers provided by the school and this is to be congratulated.”

A carer is someone, of any age, who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Anyone can become a carer; in most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it just happens.

For more information about the Investors in Carers scheme or for useful advice for carers, please visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers

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Education

Kurtz calls for better conditions for supply teachers

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WEST WALES members of the National Education Union visited the Senedd on Wednesday to campaign for increased rights for those working as supply teachers employed through teaching agencies.

Commenting following the visit, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Member of the Welsh Parliament, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “It does not seem right that those opting to work as supply teachers are not afforded the same rights, pay and conditions as their full time, local authority employed counterparts.

“The flexibility that supply teachers offer our schools is essential to pupils being able to maintain a good level of education, covering staff sickness and training absences.

“My concern is that with the education line in the Welsh Government’s supplementary budget for 2024/25 showing a cut, the Cabinet Secretary has no intention of addressing these concerns.

“If we fail to demonstrate the value we place on the whole teaching workforce, we run the very real risk of being unable to improve the educational outcomes of pupils in Wales.”

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Education

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA to host open evening at Dewi Campus this week

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IN ST DAVID’S Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA will hold an Open Evening on Thursday, October 24 at its Dewi Campus in Millard Park, St Davids, Haverfordwest.

The event, scheduled from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, invites prospective students and their families to learn more about the school’s offerings.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the campus, meet with staff, and discover the school’s emphasis on achievement, inclusion, and respect. This event is designed to provide a comprehensive insight into the academic and extracurricular opportunities available at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA.

Prospective families can expect a warm welcome from the staff and a chance to engage with current students, gaining a firsthand understanding of the school’s community and values.

For more information, please contact Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1437 809200.

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