THE CLOCK is ticking on the future of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School as Pembrokeshire County Council debates a decision that could lead to the school’s permanent closure.

Dozens of parents, residents and campaigners gathered outside County Hall in Haverfordwest ahead of today’s meeting (Thursday, March 5), in a last-ditch effort to halt the proposed closure. Their placards read “Save our school” and “Rural schools matter”. 

Inside, councillors sat debating the school’s future, which has served the community of Manorbier since January, 1877.

The council report outlines the results of a statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue the school altogether. Councillors must now decide whether to proceed with the closure process, abandon the proposal, or significantly change the plan and consult again.

Fire and temporary classrooms

Manorbier School has been operating from Jameston Community Hall since the fire destroyed large parts of the original building in October, 2022.

The historic school building was already considered to be in poor condition before the blaze, according to the council report. Ownership of the building lies with the St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance.

Council officers argue that closing the school could represent better value for money, noting that nearby schools have spare capacity and that maintaining or rebuilding the facility may not be financially viable.

If councillors authorise the next stage, the Director of Education will publish a statutory notice proposing the discontinuation of the school, triggering a further 28-day objection period before a final decision is made.

Strong opposition from community

The consultation process revealed overwhelming opposition to the closure proposal.

A total of 252 responses were submitted, with more than ninety per cent opposing the plan to discontinue the school. A petition has also been submitted, signed by more than 1,500 people.

Many respondents described Manorbier as a small, nurturing school particularly suited to pupils who need additional support. Others warned that closure would damage the community and reduce the attractiveness of the area for young families.

Campaigners have also questioned the council’s financial arguments and believe insurance money from the fire should be used to rebuild the school.

Concerns were also raised about transport, with parents warning that narrow roads and longer journeys to alternative schools could create safety issues and undermine efforts to encourage sustainable travel.

However, a smaller number of respondents supported the proposal, arguing that pupils could benefit from larger schools with broader extracurricular opportunities and wider friendship groups.

Jobs also at risk

If the closure eventually goes ahead, staff positions at the school could be at risk of redundancy, although the council says efforts would be made to redeploy employees wherever possible.

Council officers maintain that discontinuing the school would provide a more sustainable model for education provision in the area, taking into account the condition of the buildings, available school places and overall value for money.

For parents protesting outside County Hall, however, the issue is about far more than finances.

They say losing the school would mean the loss of a vital community asset and could change the character of the village for generations to come.

The council is expected to decide whether to proceed with the statutory notice in the coming weeks. If it does, the final decision on the future of Manorbier School will return to councillors later this year after the objection period has concluded.

Choosing a career path can be one of the most anxious and soul-destroying decisions for countless youngsters as they prepare to leave school.

But now, thanks to National Careers Week’s showcase on how free careers guidance and educational resources across the UK can help people take ownership of their career path, the future is looking a lot rosier.

One local student who is already benefiting from invaluable career guidance is 16-year-old Andy Arnold from Haverfordwest, who has discovered a path that reflects both his passions and his personal journey.

Andy was born with a heart condition which resulted in him having to undergo numerous surgeries as a child which prevented him from taking part in many sports.

But as he grew older, Andy began going to the gym which enabled him to transform something he once felt was a limitation into something he felt passionate about.

“Going to the gym helped build my confidence but it also made me want to help other young people feel the same way,” he said.

But Andy remained unsure how he could turn his newfound passion into a career.

“Before I went for support, I felt scared,” continued.

“I felt lost because I didn’t know what I was going to do after leaving school.

“I started doing police cadets and thought that was the right route for me, but after training for months, I realised what I really enjoyed was helping people.”
This was when Andy reached out to Careers Wales after seeing information shared by his school and met with careers adviser Toni-Jo Stables. Together they explored a range of possibilities ranging from the police and fire service to roles linked to sport.  They also looked at the skills that Andy enjoyed using, such as communication, leadership, and teamwork and how these matched different careers.

“When we looked at all the different roles, personal training just made sense,” he continued.  “Fitness was always at the top, as it combined everything I enjoyed.”

With his goal now starting to take shape,  Andy began taking practical steps.  He completed a BTEC in sport during Years 10 and 11 and now plans to develop his skills in sixth form.  He has also independently found a two-week online personal training course which he plans to complete following his GCSEs.

As a result, Andy feels focused and optimistic about his future. 

“Coming to Careers Wales has definitely given me a goal,” he said,  “as I now know what I can achieve.

“I know there are a lot of people out there who feel just as lost as I did.  It’s important that they go and see a careers adviser like I did, because it really helps to have someone to guide you and show you the routes you can take.”

For more information get in touch with Careers Wales.

Council votes to discontinue Ysgol Llansteffan after months of opposition

CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council has approved plans to close Ysgol Llansteffan, despite a sustained campaign by parents and community supporters to keep the village school open.

The decision was confirmed at a council meeting held today (Wednesday, March 4).

Under the plans, Ysgol Llansteffan will close on August 31, 2026, with pupils transferring to Ysgol Llangain from September 1. The existing catchment area currently served by Ysgol Llansteffan will also be absorbed into the Ysgol Llangain catchment.

Parents and guardians will still be able to apply for places at other schools in Carmarthenshire through the council’s usual admissions process.

The school was identified for closure under Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme, approved by Cabinet on November 18, 2024. Officials cited extremely low pupil numbers, a high number of surplus places, and financial pressures including a projected deficit budget.

Council leaders also noted that many children living within the school’s catchment area already attend other schools, limiting demand for provision in the village.

Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Glynog Davies said the decision had been difficult.

“The decision to close Ysgol Llansteffan is difficult for everyone involved and it is with sadness that this has been agreed,” he said.

“Following a robust process, the discontinuation of Ysgol Llansteffan will enable the school to combine with Ysgol Llangain to provide safer staffing, the wider sharing of the Welsh language among pupils and a more sustainable rural community.”

Campaigners’ concerns

The decision follows months of opposition from parents and campaigners who argued the case for closure was flawed.

The school’s Parent Teacher Association, supported by Welsh language campaigners, had urged councillors to delay the decision, saying important evidence remained unresolved. Campaigners also raised concerns about the language impact assessment used to support the closure proposal.

Parents argued that pupil numbers had recently increased and that projections used by the council were outdated. They said the school roll had risen earlier this year, challenging claims that numbers would remain extremely low.

During the consultation process, the council received more than 200 responses, with the majority opposing the closure. Residents raised concerns about transport arrangements, the potential impact on pupils’ wellbeing, and the effect on the wider village community if the school were lost.

Supporters of the school also argued that small rural schools play an important role in maintaining Welsh language use and community life, warning that once the village school is lost it would be unlikely to reopen.

Despite these objections, councillors ultimately approved the proposal, meaning Ysgol Llansteffan will close at the end of the summer term.