Community

Education secretary tells Senedd to ‘move on’ from poor PISA results

Published

6 months ago

October 25, 2025

WALES’ education secretary has dismissed the Conservatives’ focus on the nation’s poor 2022 PISA scores, telling the Senedd it was “time to move on” from the worst-ever results.

Lynne Neagle accepted Wales needs to do better in the worldwide study of education systems as she accused the Conservatives of “harking back” to the record-low results.

In the 2022 cycle, which was delayed due to Covid, Wales’ scores decreased in mathematics, reading and science to the lowest since first taking part in 2006.

Blaming the pandemic, Ms Neagle told the Senedd it was “time to move on” – with 15-year-olds currently sitting the latest PISA tests which are held every three years.

She said: “I am disappointed by the relentless focus on challenges within the system, rather than ever taking the opportunity to celebrate achievements.”

Defending her record during a Tory debate on Wednesday (October 22), she celebrated a rise in school attendance as well as improvement in GCSE and A-level results.

But the Conservatives painted a far bleaker picture, accusing the Welsh Government of “systemic failure” with the lowest PISA scores in the UK for five consecutive cycles.

In a fiery opening speech, Natasha Asghar – the party’s shadow education secretary – warned the Labour Welsh Government had “failed our children” for “far too long”

South Wales East MS Natasha Asghar, Welsh Conservative shadow education secretary

“Classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are under ever-increasing pressure, school violence is through the roof and standards are slipping, whilst ministers just make excuses,” she said. Too many pupils are being left behind.”

Tom Giffard, a fellow Tory, criticised the call to “move on”, saying: “We look at the worst PISA results anywhere in the UK… yet we have a minister who says, ‘It’s time to move on’. It is a system that is fundamentally broken, with a minister who is absolutely complacent.”

The motion called on the Welsh Government to adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach to restore discipline, demanding the automatic exclusion of any pupil who brings a weapon into school.

Other proposals – which were also ultimately rejected by the Senedd – included establishing academy schools, following in England’s footsteps, and mandating the teaching of phonics.

The Conservatives were not the only party to attack Labour’s record. Plaid Cymru’s Cefin Campbell warned Wales is paying a painful price for “over 25 years of Labour failures”.

But he rejected the Conservatives’ proposed solutions, arguing Wales should not simply copy policies from England because education is devolved.

Laura Anne Jones, who defected to Reform UK, agreed with much of the Tory motion, warning the additional learning needs system was “fundamentally flawed”.

In her response to the debate, Ms Neagle set out the context of Wales’ PISA results.

She said: “This was a time when our learners and teachers were emerging from two years of the pandemic and all the challenges that caused, and a period when few learners were taking structured exams in the same way as previous PISA cohorts.”

The education secretary, who was appointed in March 2024, pointed to improvements in reading and numeracy made by primary schools last year.

She told Senedd members the Welsh Government would ensure the systemic teaching of phonics through a new £8m project and a new national body, Dysgu.

On behaviour, Ms Neagle pointed to progress following a summit in May with work under way on mobile phones in schools, exclusions and detentions.

She concluded by raising a report published by education inspectorate Estyn that day. “Today Estyn have published their interim annual report,” she said. “I am pleased with the positive messages that are emerging around well-being, learner engagement and how schools are supporting their learners with additional learning needs.”

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.

The event brought together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across Wales ahead of the crossing to Ireland.

Pictured are organisers Jo Richards and Alun Mason, and the group waiting to embark at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port.

Vintage tour: Jo Richards and Alun Mason with tractors at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port (Pic: Martin Cavaney).

Community

Volunteers praised as Rath paddling pool gets summer makeover

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Questions raised over new netting as community pitches in to prepare popular spot

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for their efforts to get Milford Haven’s Rath paddling pool ready for summer – but a new addition has sparked debate among locals.

A group of residents, including Caroline Jones, Derek Abbott, Jordy, Tina Hawkins and Isla, were pictured this week installing colourful netting along the fence surrounding the pool.

The work forms part of ongoing efforts by the community to clean, maintain and improve the popular splash area ahead of the warmer months.

Caroline explained the netting had a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one.

She said: “It’s partly to try and prevent some of the grass cuttings getting into the pool but also to brighten the area up.”

Others suggested it could also help reduce the amount of litter blowing into the water – an issue that has been raised in previous summers.

The efforts were widely welcomed online, with many residents thanking those involved for giving up their time.

One commenter wrote: “A bit of praise for these volunteers who give our little ones a bit of enjoyment at the paddling pool. Well done all.”

Another added: “Well done and thank you everyone.”

Some questioned the need for the netting, with one resident saying: “I don’t understand the netting around the pool. It looked lovely as it was.”

The Rath paddling pool is a well-used facility during the summer months, particularly by families with young children, and relies heavily on volunteer support to keep it clean and operational.

Local groups, including TipTop Wheelies, are understood to be involved in helping prepare the site for the season.

Despite mixed views on the netting, the overwhelming response has been one of appreciation for those working behind the scenes to keep the facility open.