Education
An inspector calls


Awards praised: Gold Award aspiring Pembrokeshire youngsters.
An inspector calls PEMBROKESHIRE’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme has been highly praised in a recent inspection. Assessors of the prestigious award scheme joined a group of 32 Gold Award aspiring Pembrokeshire youngsters while on a gruelling hike in a remote part of Scotland.
The 16-18 year old youngsters – from Greenhill, Tasker Milward, Sir Thomas Piction, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Ysgol Dewi Sant and Pembrokeshire College – were taking part in a fournight expedition in the West Highlands when the inspector called. DofE youth workers and adult volunteers supervising the trip were given just one day’s notice of the inspection!
Reporting afterwards the report by the Adventure Activities Licensing Service said it had been a pleasure to meet the youngsters and that all aspects of the operation appeared to have been carefully planned and considered with appropriate controls in place.
“The Inspector noted the obvious enjoyment and satisfaction that the young people he spoke to were getting from taking part in their expedition,” the inspection report said. “Despite some days of indifferent weather and the challenging nature of their expedition they appeared to be revelling in the experience and had developed a strong supportive ethos within the group.
It was evident that the training and practice expeditions that the groups had completed had paid dividends in this respect. It was a pleasure to meet up with these young people. No blisters, no moans and lots of laughs.” Cllr. Sue Perkins, Cabinet Member for Education and Safeguarding said she was delighted at the Inspection report: “Both the youngsters and the Pembrokeshire County Council youth workers, who run the scheme are to be congratulated and praised for their hard work and dedication,” she said.
“Pembrokeshire has a large number of Bronze, Silver and Gold Award winners every year, which reflects hugely on the calibre of everyone involved.” Pembrokeshire has always had the highest number of Duke of Edinburgh award winners- as a percentage of the county’s youth population – than any other county in Wales. In 2013/14 there were 231 Bronze Awards, 72 Silver Awards and 32 Gold Awards.
Education
Council pledges action after school stabbing verdict

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has pledged to review the circumstances surrounding the Ysgol Dyffryn Aman stabbings to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
Following the conclusion of the trial, in which a 14-year-old girl was found guilty of attempted murder, council leader Cllr Darren Price issued a statement expressing his “heartfelt sympathies” to those affected.
He said: “The incident that took place at the school on April 24, 2024, shocked and appalled the communities of Carmarthenshire and beyond. Violence, in any form, has unequivocally no place within our schools or any aspect of society.
“I would again like to thank the emergency services that responded at pace during this incident, along with the teachers, staff, pupils, council officers and the local community.
“On completion of the trial, all partners will be working together to review the circumstances of this case and to ensure we do all we can to prevent an incident of this nature happening again.”
‘Resilience and compassion’
The council praised the response of the school community, with Cllr Price commending the resilience shown by pupils and staff.
“The resilience and compassion that define the close-knit society of Ysgol Dyffryn Aman has allowed pupils to return to their classrooms at the safest and earliest opportunity, for their benefit and wellbeing,” he said.
“I sincerely hope that today’s verdict will permit the victims and the school a sense of closure on this awful event and that their privacy is respected.
“Ysgol Dyffryn Aman is an excellent school, and long may it continue its excellent work in educating the children and young people of Ammanford.”
Safety concerns
The attack, which left two teachers and a pupil injured, sent shockwaves through the community. Dyfed-Powys Police and Carmarthenshire County Council will now work together to assess security measures and response procedures at schools across the county.
The girl, who cannot be named due to her age, will be sentenced at a later date.
Education
Ysgol Bro Gwaun headteacher to retire after nearly four decades in education

PAUL EDWARDS, the headteacher of Ysgol Bro Gwaun in Fishguard, has announced he will retire at the end of the summer term, bringing his 37-year career in education to a close.
In a letter to parents last week, Mr Edwards confirmed his decision, saying it was the right time to step aside and allow new leadership to guide the school forward.
Mr Edwards first joined the school, then known as Fishguard High School, as a newly qualified teacher in the early 1990s. After a period working elsewhere, he returned in 2017 as headteacher. Of his 37 years in education, 26 have been spent at Ysgol Bro Gwaun.
“This decision has not been an easy one,” he wrote. “However, after 37 years in the profession, 26 of which have been at YBG (or Fishguard High School as it was), I feel it is the right time to step aside.”
Reflecting on his time at the school, Mr Edwards described being headteacher as a “privilege and honour,” expressing pride in everything the school community has achieved. He praised students, staff, parents, and carers for making Ysgol Bro Gwaun a vibrant and supportive environment for all pupils, regardless of background or ability.
The school’s chair of governors was informed of his decision some time ago, and the process to find his successor is already underway. The position will be advertised soon, with an appointment expected before Easter. The new headteacher will take up the role on September 1, allowing a smooth transition during the summer term.
In the meantime, Mr Edwards assured parents that it would be “business as usual” at Ysgol Bro Gwaun, with the school continuing to focus on its core purpose while the recruitment process takes place.
Education
Thousands more learners to receive financial support through Education Maintenance Allowance

THOUSANDS more post 16 learners in colleges and sixth forms will receive the Education Maintenance Allowance following a Welsh Government decision to uplift the household income thresholds resulting in more families being able to apply.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a weekly grant of £40, designed to support 16 to 18-year-olds from eligible households with further education costs, such as transport or meals. EMA was ended in England in 2011, and is retained at a lower rate of £30 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Currently over 16,000 students receive EMA but starting from the new academic year in September an estimated 3,500 more learners will benefit from the uplift.
The threshold for households with one dependent child is currently £20,817 and this will increase to £23,400, meaning families with a household income of £23,400 or less will be eligible to receive EMA.
The threshold for households with two or more dependents is currently £23,077 and this will increase to £25,974, meaning families with a household income of £25,974 or less will be eligible to receive EMA.
Minister Further and Higher Education, Vikki Howells, said: “Wales already delivers the most generous Education Maintenance Allowance in the UK, helping post-16 learners to continue studying academic or vocational courses, and this change means we will now be supporting thousands more learners.
“We are very proud of our record in maintaining and increasing the Education Maintenance Allowance. We are clear that our Draft Budget is a budget for a brighter future and the uplift to EMA eligibility is one of the ways we are delivering this. The announcement means thousands more learners will now benefit from further financial support to continue or start their further education journey.”
Deio Owen, President of NUS Cymru, said: “NUS Cymru welcomes the Minister’s announcement today. Raising the household income threshold for EMA will enable more than 3500 young people to engage with post-16 learning. That’s 3500 young people that we will now hopefully see continue with their education and continue to equip themselves for a better future.”, said Deio Owen, President of NUS Cymru.
“We have been campaigning for this for quite some time, and we are delighted that the Welsh Government have finally listened to student voices. I look forward to working ever closer with the Minister in the coming months on areas where we can further strengthen the student offer in Wales.”
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