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Education

School visits National Assembly

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PUPILS and staff from Cleddau Reach VC School in Llangwm recently visited the National Assembly for Wales as part of a trip to Cardiff. The pupils were given a tour of the National Assembly for Wales including a talk from National Assembly staff.

The pupils also took the opportunity to meet local Assembly Member, Paul Davies, and ask him questions about his role representing Preseli Pembrokeshire in the National Assembly.

Mr Davies said: “I was delighted to meet with pupils and staff from the Cleddau Reach VC School in Llangwm during their trip to Cardiff, and talk to them about the work of an Assembly Member. The pupils asked many excellent questions including what the role of an Assembly Member entails, as well as how I had become involved in politics.”

Mr Davies added: “School Councils are an excellent way in which pupils are able to experience democracy and decision making in their own schools. I very much hope that this visit to the National Assembly will inspire these young people.”

Should any school in Preseli Pembrokeshire wish to arrange a visit to the National Assembly for Wales, this can be arranged by contacting Paul Davies’ office on 01437 766425.

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Education

Universities facing massive challenges, says funding chief

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THE OUTGOING head of a new public body set up to oversee post-16 education warned of “massive challenges”, with cuts proposed at universities across the country.

Simon Pirotte, chief executive of Medr, which was established in August, appeared before the Senedd’s education committee for a scrutiny meeting on February 6.

Medr is responsible for funding and regulating post-16 education and research, including colleges and school sixth forms unlike its predecessor Hefcw.

Mr Pirotte told the committee: “A lot has happened within that six months and I think we’re really aware of the responsibility of the role at such an important time.

“Let’s be honest: we’re taking over responsibility for post-16 education at a time of great change and some massive challenges.”

Addressing concerns about proposed university job cuts and course closures, he said: “It’s important for me to recognise that we’re probably in a very tumultuous time in education, particularly with some of the proposals around our higher education system at the moment.

“And I just want to go on record as saying we really understand the concerns and the challenges that staff are facing during this difficult time.”

The former Bridgend College principal, who has been in education for nearly 40 years, said the transition from Hefcw to Medr has been smooth despite volatility in the sector.

Mr Pirotte was appointed by education minister Jeremy Miles despite not being part of the initial open application process, prompting concerns around transparency and fairness.

He told Senedd members that Medr is optimistic a good field of candidates will be available to replace him when his term as chief executive ends in September.

James Owen, Medr’s chief operating officer, a former Welsh Government director, said a six-month delay in the legislation coming into force helped get the body up-and-running.

Mr Pirotte stressed the need to establish a “tertiary mindset” to avoid working in silos, creating a more joined-up approach between further and higher education.

The Conservatives’ Natasha Asghar asked about Medr’s assessment of the financial pressures as well as support for Welsh universities to navigate the crisis.

South Wales East Senedd Member Natasha Asghar
South Wales East Senedd Member Natasha Asghar

Mr Pirotte said Medr is monitoring the situation very, very closely but: “There are limits to what we can do, we are a regulator but our job is to appraise Welsh Government of the challenges that our higher education institutions are actually facing.

“We know that many universities are going through transformational change at the moment to ensure their longer-term sustainability.”

Mr Owen added that Medr conducts an in-depth analysis of financial statements, student numbers, forecasts and borrowing levels at each university.

Asked if Medr would intervene to stop proposals for 400 job losses at Cardiff University, Mr Pirotte said: “I think we need to recognise that universities are autonomous organisations and there are limitations to what we can do as a regulator.”

Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, asked what Medr would like to see happen to place universities on a more sustainable financial footing.

Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell
Plaid Cymru MS Cefin Campbell

Mr Pirotte said: “There is absolutely no doubt that universities across the UK and indeed in Wales are facing some of the most challenging times they’ve faced.

“I’ve listened to Professor Paul Boyle, chair of Universities Wales, saying this is the most difficult time in his career and I agree with that assessment.”

The chief executive told the committee: “As an educationalist, would I like to see more money coming in? Of course I would.”

Explaining that Medr will focus scrutiny on learner protection plans in the event of disruption or closures, he added: “We cannot direct the university to say you must do subject X or Y.”

Mr Pirotte, who was on free school meals at Morriston Comprehensive in Swansea, stressed the importance of ensuring a wide cross-section of society can enjoy the same opportunities.

He said: “We have a systemic issue that we need to address across the UK. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind about the key role that universities have as anchoring institutions in their regions … what they do for economic growth, what they do for individuals.

“And I think there’s a wider question about what kind of university system do we want in the UK and indeed in Wales.”

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Education

School children from Pembrokeshire to learn about nutritious local produce

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NUTRITIOUS, Delicious and Local is the theme of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s educational Food Story event in March. School children from across the county, from years two to 11, will learn how food and drink are produced locally.

The event, sponsored by NFU Mutual, the CLA Charitable Trust and Women in Wales, will take place on 5 and 6 March 2025 on the Pembrokeshire County Showground. There will be machinery and animals at the event with farmers from across the county on hand to explain practically how they produce food and care for the countryside.

Kathy Wilson, a former teacher and now an Honorary Pembrokeshire Show Governor, is managing the organisation of the event with the staff from the show office on behalf of the Society’s Food Story / Stori Bwyd.

Kathy said, “The response has been extremely positive to our previous Food Story events which have had pancake, barbecue and harvest themes. We hope local school children will learn a lot about where their food comes from when they attend our event in March. We are very grateful to all the farmers and supporters who are volunteering their time to make this event happen.”

During the event, which schools will attend at allotted times, there will also be an opportunity to meet businesses from the local area, learn about health and well-being as well as how science, technology, engineering and mathematics are used to produce food locally. The event will also touch on how the weather and climate can affect the work farmers do and how the crops grow. Children will also get an opportunity to cook and enjoy tasting locally produced food and drink. 

All primary and secondary schools across the county have been contacted inviting them to attend with a booking form to complete as there will be a choice between a morning and afternoon session. If teachers have not received the email but would like to attend the event could they please email the Pembrokeshire Showground Office: [email protected] as soon as possible.

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Education

Excluding pupils for knives ‘too simple’, says Estyn chief

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A SCHOOL should understand why a pupil brings a knife in rather than relying on blanket exclusions, the chief inspector of Welsh education watchdog Estyn has said.

Owen Evans said the “easy answer” was to exclude pupils, but insisted the issue needed a more nuanced approach.

He argued there were multiple reasons why a child might bring a weapon to school and that a one-size-fits-all policy would not work.

However, Neil Butler, national officer for Wales at the NASUWT union, called the suggestion “most unhelpful” and said immediate exclusions should be the priority to protect pupils and staff.

School attack in Ammanford

Mr Evans’ comments follow the conviction of a 14-year-old girl for the attempted murder of three people during a stabbing at a school in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire.

Estyn chief inspector Owen Evans (Image: BBC)

“You may have a child that has every potential for redemption but they have fallen into bad practice, and we cannot exclude those people from society,” he told the BBC’s Walescast.

“A lot of children who bring knives to school feel threatened themselves or believe others are carrying weapons.

“We need to tackle the root causes behind these decisions,” he added.

While knife crime in Welsh schools is rare, Mr Evans said lessons needed to be learned.

Bridgend council has announced an inquiry after police were called to Bryntirion Comprehensive last week when a knife was reportedly found in a pupil’s bag.

Union backs tough action

Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mr Butler acknowledged the importance of understanding why children bring weapons to school but said the approach could not be “nuanced”.

He described Mr Evans’ concerns about exclusion pushing pupils out of society as “nonsense” and insisted that removing offenders from schools was necessary for safety.

“If a child who has carried a knife into school remains there while psychologists assess them, they continue to pose a danger to others,” he said.

“Exclusion doesn’t mean the end of education—it means education in a more suitable setting outside of mainstream schools.”

He added: “We must be clear: carrying a knife has consequences. That means immediate exclusion.

“It’s as simple as that—we have to nip this in the bud before it escalates further.”

Rising behavioural issues

Estyn is preparing to release its annual report on the state of education and training in Wales, with concerns over increasing behavioural problems.

Mr Evans said: “Since the pandemic, we are seeing young children coming into school unable to communicate or even potty trained.”

He called for more support for pupils and teachers but acknowledged a lack of resources.

“Strong leadership, clear and consistently applied behaviour policies, and good family support can make a real difference,” he said.

Wales’ Education Secretary, Lynne Neagle, has announced a behavioural summit next year to tackle the “complex” issues facing schools.

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