Education
Pupils still hungry after eating their school dinners

Hungry pupils: are schools
catering for enough food?
A REPORT has stated that some primary school pupils are still hungry after school lunches, with the Children’s Commissioner for Wales expressing concern that for some children this is the only hot meal they get. Commissioner, Keith Towler, said: “I recognise that times are tough on local authorities but we’re talking about a basic need here. Something is wrong with the system. For many of these children – due to their socio-economic background – this is the only hot meal they’ll get all day.
There’s been much discussion over recent years about how nutritious meals can really boost educational attainment – if we’re serious about improving educational outcomes for all children in Wales, then let’s start by getting the basics right for them.” Last year a BBC Wales survey was undertaken and found a number of councils had left the decision on extra servings either to the schools themselves or their caterers. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We have produced statutory guidance for local authorities and governing bodies including a section on suggested portion sizes.
A school lunch should provide 30% of a learner’s estimated average energy requirement. Schools and local authorities have a legal duty to comply with the statutory guidance.” The Herald spoke exclusively with Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC) to find out how they are making sure enough provision is being made for their local primary schools and their pupils’ nutritional needs. A spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council’s School Meals Service currently provides a Welsh Government compliant `Appetite for Life` primary menu.
The menu fully complies with both the nutritional and food based standards set out by the Welsh Government, ensuring every pupil within the County has access to a nutritionally balanced meal, with set portion sizes. The School Meals Service acknowledges the fact that the nutrient-based standards apply to an average school lunch over five consecutive days, and relates to overall provision rather than individual consumption. Also, some pupils need to eat more than others depending on body size, metabolism and physical activity.
For this reason, if surplus food is available, pupils are able to have additional portions on request”. The Herald asked if all primary school children receive the same sized food servings regardless of age? The spokesperson continued, saying: “The primary menu is a two course set menu with a vegetarian option. The nutritional standards set by the Welsh Government for Primary schools have been calculated using a percentage split across the range of 4 to 11 years of age. The School Meals Service adheres to these standards and the suggested portions sizes, as advised by the Welsh Government, and therefore currently provides the same-sized food servings for all primary school-aged children.
However, pupils are able to have additional portions on request. The size of the servings provided is the same for all Secondary School-aged children and is based on the Welsh Government’s suggested portion sizes. No complaints have been received in relation to this policy and therefore there are no imminent plans to review it”.
Education
Teacher’s gruelling challenge to help visually impaired child

TEACHER Sion Jenkins is running 100 laps around a famous Pembrokeshire landmark to raise money to help a visually impaired child in his class.
He is aiming to raise £2,000 on crowd funder platform Go Fund Me by doing laps of Carew Castle and Mill in just 24 hours, about one hundred miles in total.
Sion said: “I decided that I wanted to raise money to help purchase a trike/adapted bike to help a visually impaired child in my class.
“Due to his sight, he isn’t able to ride a bike – and is desperate to gain some independence/confidence and ride a bike like every other child.
“On the back of a challenge set by school, to complete the ‘100 challenge’ as a tribute to Captain Sir Tom Moore, I decided to tie the two together and have a go at completing this gruelling challenge.
“100 laps of Carew Castle and Mill will total just under 100 miles – in less than 24 hours.”
If you would like to contribute to this epic challenge this is the link:
Education
Schools partnership promotes the benefits of outdoor learning

OUTDOOR learning across the county has received a welcome boost over the past 12 months as a result of additional funding secured by the Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools (PODS) project, which has covered the cost of a Co-ordinator working directly with schools.
Thanks to financial backing from the People’s Postcode Local Trust and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Trust, the PODS Co-ordinator has been able to help with the delivery of high quality, curriculum-linked learning experiences in school grounds and local outdoor spaces.
Part of the Co-ordinator’s role is also to bring together local and national organisations, including Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Discovery team, teachers and head teachers. Pooling their diverse knowledge and expertise, the partnership seeks to share good practice and promote the benefits of taking lessons outdoors.
Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools Co-ordinator Bryony Rees said: “Last summer, the Welsh Government recognised the importance of outdoor learning in the post-lockdown return to school. We have been working hard to support this by giving children and teachers increased opportunities to take their learning outdoors.
“We have already engaged with a number of schools across Pembrokeshire and produced some live webinars. Supporting resources for these can be found on HWB. This has made it possible to reach out to even more schools with practical information, inspiration and advice on delivering outdoor learning programmes.
“Several schools have taken the opportunity to develop their school grounds to support outdoor learning and more recently, Neyland Community School has introduced outdoor lessons every Friday.”
During the most recent lockdown, work has continued online and the PODS website has been developed to provide teachers with some learning resources. Outdoor learning ideas and inspiration for teachers and parents are also shared on the PODS Facebook page (Pembrokeshire Outdoor Schools) and on Twitter @PembsOutdoorSch.
Education
Education announcement welcomed by Pembrokeshire County Council

THE LOCAL AUTHORITY has said that it welcomes the Welsh Government’s announcement today (Friday, 29th January) that schools will be the first to reopen when Wales’ current lockdown restrictions are lifted.
First Minister Mark Drakeford has announced that the ‘alert level four’ restrictions will remain in Wales for three more weeks but following that period, there would be a ‘phased and flexible back-to-school approach if coronavirus cases continue to fall’.
He said primary school children would be the first to return, if the public health situation continues to improve, and that students studying vocational qualifications would also be among those prioritised for the phased return to colleges.
Mr Drakeford said: “We’ve seen a really welcome fall in cases of the virus all over Wales, but they are still too high and the NHS continues to be under intense pressure.
“We need to keep the lockdown restrictions in place for a little while longer to help us bring rates of the virus down further. If we can do this, we will create the headroom we need to get children back to school after half term – starting with the youngest at primary schools.
“We will work with teachers, colleges, local authorities to plan for the safe return of children to school over the next couple of weeks and keep parents updated.”
Pembrokeshire’s Director of Education, Steven Richards-Downes, will be meeting virtually with Welsh Government ministers today together with other Education Directors.
Mr Richards-Downes said: “We welcome the Welsh Government’s statement that schools will be the first to reopen, whenever that may be.
“We will continue to work directly with unions, headteachers, governing bodies and other Council services to ensure that schools are Covid-safe when they are re-opened.
“Distance learning will continue for now and parents should contact their schools directly if they have any queries regarding this.”
He added: “Any parent experiencing difficulties with digital exclusion should contact their school directly.
Free school meals payments will continue to be paid to families who have applied for them, as planned. The next payments will be made on Thursday, 4th February.
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