News

Minister welcomes progress in closing attainment gap

Published

11 years ago

February 11, 2015

Huw Lewis

NEW figures out today show the Welsh Government is making good progress in closing the attainment gap between those pupils eligible for free school meals and those not.

Education Minister, Huw Lewis has thanked Regional Consortia, local authorities and schools for their ongoing efforts to break the link between poverty and educational attainment but has said there is still more work to be done.

The latest statistics show pupils eligible for Free School Meals are performing at historically high levels and that there was an overall 2 percentage point rise in their performance between 2013 and 2014.

The more detailed figures show the gap in attainment between pupils eligible for free school meals and their counterpart has reduced at Foundation Phase level, Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3.

Indeed at Foundation Phase level the Welsh Government has already met and exceeded its target to reduce the attainment gap by 10% against 2012 levels by 2017, and had secured a 11.6% reduction by the end of 2014.

Welcoming the figures, Education Minister Huw Lewis said: “These statistics show that we are starting to see real progress in breaking the link between deprivation and educational attainment, particularly at the Foundation Phase level. I am very encouraged by this and would like to thank Regional Consortia, local authorities and schools across Wales for their ongoing hard work. Despite this progress, there is no doubt that we still have a long way to go. I am continuing to introduce policies aimed at ensuring that children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds do as well as their peers. Indeed we will soon be publishing the results of our new Categorisation system which has been designed specifically to ensure that schools can only achieve the highest green category if a percentage of their pupils eligible for free school meals are performing at the highest levels. It is this sort of approach that will ensure that all learners in Wales, whatever their background and given every opportunity to succeed.”

Last year the Education Minister launched ‘ Rewriting the Future’: Raising ambition and attainment in Welsh schools’ which sets out the Welsh Government’s commitment to tackling the impact of poverty on educational attainment and what it expects Regional Consortia, local authorities and schools to do to support learners from more deprived backgrounds.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.