Education

Welsh Government ‘asleep at wheel’ on ‘flawed’ ALN reforms

Published

4 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

A CONSERVATIVE politician has accused ministers of being “asleep at the wheel” as long-standing problems persist with Wales’ additional learning needs reforms.

Natasha Asghar, the Tory shadow education secretary, warned pupils are being let down by the Welsh Government’s “fundamentally flawed” additional learning needs (ALN) shake-up.

Ms Asghar expressed concerns about pupils “slipping through the cracks”, with statistics showing a drastic drop in the number of pupils receiving support.

She said: “My biggest concern right now is there’s been a 53% decrease in the number of pupils being identified as having ALN over the four years since the system was introduced.

“That fall – from more than 92,500 pupils to just under 44,000 – comes at the same time the Welsh Government acknowledges more children are presenting with more complex needs.”

Ms Asghar, who represents South Wales East, warned of workload pressures, a lack of funding and long waiting lists for children’s autism or ADHD assessments.

Her comments came after a Welsh Government review of the ALN legislative framework warned of challenges centred on practical implementation, clarity and consistency.

Lynne Neagle – Wales’ education secretary – hit back at the Tory opposition’s criticism, telling the Senedd: “I certainly don’t accept that I have been asleep at the wheel.”

She added: “This is a really complex issue and we have to do this right. I would have loved to have sorted it all out in three weeks after I came into post… but we have to get this right.”

In her statement on October 14, Ms Neagle announced a further £8.2m this year for councils, education settings and colleges to improve delivery of the ALN programme.

She said more than 32,000 pupils have an individual development plan, more than under the previous special educational needs (SEN) system, but she accepted that children on lower levels of SEN support have not all transferred to the new system.

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, urged the Welsh Government to take urgent steps to address inconsistencies and gaps by amending the ALN code.

He suggested ALN training should be mandatory for teachers and assistants, as part of ongoing professional development as well as initial teacher education.

The former lecturer told the Senedd: “Without urgent action, the promise of the ALN reforms will remain unfulfilled and the most vulnerable learners will continue to be let down by a system that lacks the capacity, clarity and consistency they deserve.”

Ms Neagle warned of a lack of time to amend the ALN code before the Senedd term ends in May but she committed to laying the groundwork for a new government.

Buffy Williams, who chairs the Senedd’s education committee, also questioned the huge fall in the number of children who are recognised as having ALN.

“Children only get one chance at school, so it’s essential that all children get the support they need so they can thrive,” she said. “Sadly, this is not the case for too many children.”

Ms Neagle told her Labour colleague that inconsistency is why the top priority is to clarify the definitions of ALN through forthcoming guidance.

Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan warned families face a fight for their children’s educational rights as she raised concerns about a “postcode lottery” for Welsh-language support.

Pressed about funding, Ms Neagle said: “I’m not going to hide either from the fact that there are huge resourcing pressures in schools at the moment and ALN is a very big part of that.”

Education

Tenby school built just nine years ago needs new roof

Published

17 hours ago

November 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PUPILS at a leaking Pembrokeshire school, built just nine years ago, which now has more than 500 props holding up parts of its roof, are likely to be forced to relocate while a new roof is put on.

Tenby VC School, a 3–11 English-medium primary school with an additional Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provision, was built in 2016.

Just a few years after its build, there were reports of water ingress.

Initial investigations in 2023 identified the requirement for repairs to the flat roof areas, and in 2024 its solar PV array was removed to reduce the load on the roof following engineer advice.

Last November, a £75,000 feasibility budget to look at ways of tackling roof leaks at Tenby’s VC school, including a complete new roof, was backed by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.

At the time, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “A number of [areas of water ingress] have been repaired, but unfortunately a number of leaks have resulted in a weakening of the structure and components within the roof construction.”

In response to the findings of the feasibility study, the council has implemented a series of urgent health and safety measures to mitigate immediate risks, a report for members at the November 2025 Cabinet meeting said.

These include the installation of 510 ‘acro’ props to support vulnerable roof areas and the full closure of the Early Years/Playgroup wing, along with regular inspections.

At the meeting, members received a report detailing the findings of the feasibility study, presented by Cllr Woodham, with a favoured option of the replacement of entire roof.

It said: “Considering the recommendation to proceed with [full roof replacement] a comprehensive decant strategy needs to be developed with all stakeholders and the community to ensure educational continuity, meet health and safety requirements and safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff throughout the construction period and following information needs to be considered in relation to any decant strategy.”

Cllr Woodham said he was “totally aware of the concern in relation to how this progresses,” adding: “The priority is the wellbeing of the learners and staff at the school, we’ll do everything to move as quickly as we can.”

Members backed recommendations that the School Modernisation Working Group be requested to determine the final preferred outcomes in relation to the Tenby Area, and that those recommendations be presented to full council in December.

They also backed tenders for the works being sought, with a further report to Cabinet, and a comprehensive decant strategy be produced; a report returning to Cabinet by January at the latest.

Business

Door supervisor training returns to Pembroke with new work opportunities

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Six-day SIA course includes emergency first aid and unlimited resits

A LEADING security training provider is bringing its latest SIA Door Supervisor course to Pembroke next month, offering local people a route into full-time and flexible work across the events and security industry.

RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd will run the six-day course from 1–6 December, with the option to include Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). The standard course is priced at £300, or £350 including EFAW, with an additional £50 for unlimited resits, making it one of the most accessible routes into the profession.

The company, recently recognised as one of the best training providers of 2024/25 by Pembrokeshire County Council and Future Works, says demand for licensed security staff remains high across West Wales — particularly for events, hospitality, night-time economy venues and seasonal activities.

Local opportunity

The course offers a mix of classroom learning and practical scenarios, delivered by experienced industry instructors. Organisers say trainees can expect:

Funding options (subject to eligibility)
Free daily refreshments
Results within four days
Access to job opportunities once a licence is issued

With major events in Tenby, Pembroke, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest routinely seeking licensed door staff, the programme is expected to attract strong local interest.

A spokesperson for RM Training and Security Solutions said the course continues to draw people from a range of backgrounds: “We train complete beginners, people changing careers, and those already working in hospitality or retail who want extra qualifications. There is always work available for good, reliable staff.”

Wider availability

Alongside Pembroke, the company also runs regular training in Port Talbot, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Cardigan, Dartford and Kent, supporting learners across Wales and beyond.

Anyone wishing to book a place can do so online at:
www.rmtrainingandsecuritysolutionsltd.co.uk/security-training/booking-form

Enquiries can be made via:
[email protected]
07388 069 600 or 01834 526 418.

Education

Ten years of ‘Food and Fun’: Welsh holiday scheme marks milestone with awards

Published

2 days ago

November 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A decade of support for families celebrated, with Neyland Community Primary School among Wales-wide winners

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S flagship Food and Fun school holiday enrichment programme has celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of supporting thousands of families during the long summer break.

The awards ceremony, held earlier this month, recognised schools, volunteers, catering teams and health boards who have played a key role in shaping the programme. One of this year’s winners was Neyland Community Primary School, which received the Working Together Award, highlighting the strength of community partnerships in Pembrokeshire.

Ten years on

Food and Fun began as a small Cardiff Council pilot and has since grown into a national scheme coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association and funded by the Welsh Government. It now operates across all twenty-two local authorities.

Each summer, the scheme provides free healthy meals alongside activity sessions, giving children a safe, social and active space during the holidays. Over the past decade, more than 800,000 places have been delivered. This summer alone, around 15,000 learners from 300 schools took part.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle, who presented awards at the event, said the success of the programme was down to the dedication of staff and volunteers who work with partner organisations to offer enriching opportunities.

She said: “The value of our investment goes far beyond pounds and pence. Helping families enjoy activities, learn about nutrition, engage with friends and have delicious food is at the heart of Food and Fun.”

Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA spokesperson for Education, added that the programme’s strength lay in the collaboration between councils, schools and partner organisations.

Celebrating local achievement

Neyland Community Primary School’s recognition for its partnership work brings the national story home to Pembrokeshire. The school has long been praised locally for its community engagement, and this award places it among the top examples of best practice across Wales.

Full list of winners

Council Co-ordinator: Paul Williams, Neath Port Talbot Youth Service
Co-ordinator award scheme: Sabrina Amor, Herbert Thompson Primary School
Scheme Staff award: Luke Cross, Ysgol Cwm Brombil
Catering award: Sarah Lever and Caroline Clatworthy, Bridgend Catering
Volunteer Award: Harri and Sion Colthard, Ysgol Calon y Cymoedd
Health Board Award: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Sports Coach Awards: MonLife
Working Together Award: Neyland Community Primary School
School Impact Award: Gemma Ness, Ysgol Awel Y Mor
Outstanding Contribution Award: Angharad Williams, Ysgol y Gogarth
Children’s Choice Award: Justin Johnson, Torfaen Play

The Welsh Government has described Food and Fun as a model for ensuring young people stay active, healthy and connected throughout the summer, particularly during a time when many families feel financial pressure most acutely.