A SPECIAL event highlighting the voices of young people across Pembrokeshire was held at County Hall on Tuesday (Dec 5). The event featured the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Rocio Cifuentes, alongside key figures in education and youth advocacy.

The Voice of Learners event, organised by Councillor Pat Davies and the Children and Young People’s Rights Office, brought together representatives from secondary schools and Pembrokeshire College.

Joining the panel were Director of Education Steven Richards-Downes and Principal Educational Psychologist Lorraine Silver. Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Steve Alderman, chaired the session, during which attendees posed a series of challenging and thought-provoking questions to the panel.

The event was driven by the findings of an extensive survey conducted with Pembrokeshire’s young people. Mental and emotional health emerged as a top concern, alongside issues such as access to sports, diagnosis and support for additional needs, exam stress, healthy eating, and the influence of technology on daily life.

Cllr Pat Davies said: “I started this focus on young people and democracy during my time as Council Chairman, and it has not only been popular but incredibly informative for both our school-goers and us as councillors.
“We are determined to engage with young people and ensure their concerns and views are heard. Events like this, as well as a previous session with the Electoral Commission, provide us with valuable opportunities to connect.

“Continuing this important work with the Children and Young People’s Rights Office is a real positive, and we look forward to welcoming more young people to County Hall for future events.”

The Voice of Learners event underscores Pembrokeshire County Council’s commitment to empowering young people and addressing the issues that matter most to them.

CAMPAIGNERS are striving to secure 10,000 signatures on an online petition to prompt a debate at the Welsh Senedd about the future of Lampeter University.

The petition follows an announcement in November by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) to relocate all undergraduate teaching from Lampeter to its sister campus in Carmarthen. The decision has sparked a campaign to safeguard Wales’ oldest university.

The Lampeter Society, an alumni group, has strongly opposed the proposal, citing years of underinvestment in Lampeter’s infrastructure, courses, and marketing. In contrast, the Society claims significant resources have been allocated to expand the university’s Swansea campus.

“Inevitably, this prioritisation against Lampeter has led to a marked decline in student numbers on the Lampeter campus,” the Society stated. “But the proposals will have a devastating effect on the local community as well as opportunities and employment in the area.”

The petition calls on UWTSD and the Welsh Government to create a “viable, sustainable plan for the long-term future of the Lampeter campus.” Over 2,000 supporters, many of them alumni from across the UK, have signed so far. However, 10,000 signatures are required to secure a debate at the Senedd.

Organisers have intensified their efforts, reaching out to residents in the streets, pubs, and shops of Lampeter to drum up local support.

Local voices join the campaign

Former student Jane Langford, who lives near Lampeter, highlighted the potential impact of the changes.

“Local people are all very aware how bad this would be for the town,” she said.

“The campus at Lampeter has always fostered an environment of acceptance and inclusivity, and gave me the confidence to be myself. I’ve carried that with me throughout my life.

“Local campuses and universities are so important for widening provision and access to higher education. For so many people, studying in a campus like Lampeter is perfect, as not everybody wants the hustle and bustle of a bigger town or city. I feel very sad that these proposals will end 200 years of undergraduate teaching at Lampeter.”

A historic institution under threat

Established in 1822, Lampeter University is Wales’ oldest higher education institution. In 2009, it merged with Trinity College Carmarthen and later joined Swansea Metropolitan University to form UWTSD.

Supporters of the campaign who wish to sign the petition can visit: https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246410.

ESTYN has published a report today assessing the implementation of the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018 (ALNET) and its accompanying ALN Code by schools, settings, and local authorities across Wales.

The report, titled The Additional Learning Needs System: Progress of Schools, Settings, and Local Authorities in Supporting Pupils with Additional Learning Needs, highlights the dedication and resilience of staff while exposing inconsistencies in the effectiveness of reforms and the challenges faced by stakeholders. It builds on findings from Estyn’s recent thematic review, The New Additional Learning Needs System.

Progress and successful practices

The report finds that where ALN reforms are implemented successfully, many pupils are making notable progress from their starting points. Schools and settings with an inclusive culture are shown to focus effectively on the learning and well-being of all pupils. The role of the Additional Learning Needs Co-ordinator (ALNCo) is particularly impactful when integrated into senior leadership teams, enabling strategic contributions to improving provisions and outcomes for pupils with ALN.

Positive developments were also identified in funded non-maintained early years settings, with Early Years Additional Learning Needs Officers (EYALNLOs) providing timely and effective support for younger children with emerging or identified ALN.

Challenges and inconsistencies

Despite progress, the report identifies significant challenges that must be addressed:

• Variability in local authority guidance for inclusive teaching and learning.
• Inconsistent interpretation of the ALN Code, especially regarding the development of Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
• Limited support for Welsh-medium ALN provision due to recruitment and resource shortages.

Chief Inspector’s statement

Owen Evans, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector, commented:
“It is encouraging to see the dedication of school staff and local authorities in implementing ALN reform. However, our findings show that more needs to be done to ensure consistency and equity in provision, especially for Welsh-medium learners and in clarifying the application of the ALN Code.

“We hope this report will support schools, local authorities, and the Welsh Government in building on the positive practices identified and addressing the remaining challenges, particularly in strengthening inclusive education across all settings.”

Recommendations for improvement

The report includes actionable recommendations for school leaders, local authorities, and the Welsh Government. These focus on:

• Strengthening professional learning for ALN staff.
• Enhancing Welsh-medium support to address recruitment and resource gaps.
• Improving quality assurance processes to ensure consistent application of the ALN Code.

By addressing these issues, the report aims to guide all stakeholders towards creating a more inclusive and equitable education system for pupils with additional learning needs in Wales.