News

Could history be a thing of the past?

Published

12 years ago

December 5, 2013

THE WELSH Government’s Education Minister has launched a controversial new policy that could force schools to prioritise literacy and numeracy over all other subjects.

History, geography, and even science, could be side-lined as the Welsh Labour Government gets tough on alleged falling literacy and numeracy standards in our schools.

The new policy, known as the National Literacy and Numeracy Framework (LNF) is being introduced this term across both primary and secondary schools. The central idea of the framework is that ALL subjects across the curriculum will now be required to have embedded planning that takes account of literacy and numeracy skills.

Unlike in previous thinking, whereby teaching objectives were limited to those of the subject being taught, this would mean that additionally each subject teacher would also need to assess pupils’ achievements in literacy and numeracy, that some teachers feel is even being prioritised above the subject itself. One teacher, who wished to remain anonymous, said:

“This would mean that if I was teaching a lesson in history where I wanted my pupils to understand as to why the Holocaust happened, it would not be enough just to know they could explain this.

“Additionally, I would also have to plan for them to show me they were using literacy or numeracy skills as well, depending on how I could fit such an objective in. I think in such a lesson, surely, an understanding of such an awful and complex event is the objective, not for example as to whether they can spell Holocaust or not?”

The teacher added:

“The problem with this new framework is that it just adds more work to an already over-subscribed workload that teachers simply do not have the time to do.

“I got into teaching history to teach history, it is what I am qualified to do. You have to ask who is supposed to assess these additional numeracy or literacy objectives? Will it be me, who is not a specialist in these areas?”

More worryingly the teacher continued by stating:

“I attended a course for the LNF only a fortnight ago where I was told by the Course Leader that in the next five years it was possible that all primary teaching would be centred around literacy and numeracy, and all other subjects would be planned around these two core subjects.

“It is very worrying. It is all very well just teaching children to read and write, but if they do not have a much broader education and learn about the world, and people around them, then what will they have to write about?”

The Welsh Government responded to The Herald:

“The LNF has been designed to support teachers to embed literacy and numeracy across the curriculum. The LNF is made up of clear, precise expectation statements which will enable teachers and schools to judge with far more precision how learners are progressing and what specific support they require.

“If learners are not supported to develop excellent literacy and numeracy skills from the beginning of their education then they will not be able to access the subject specific knowledge within the National Curriculum Programmes of Study.

“We have issued guidance which explains that the LNF should be taught in subjects where there is a natural fit and there is no need to contrive ways to include literacy and numeracy into subjects where it simply doesn’t fit.

“We have also produced exemplar materials and classroom tasks which give teachers examples of how the LNF can be taught in a way that supports the wider curriculum and enhances the programmes of study for all of the subjects within the National Curriculum.

“We have seen many examples of schools that are teaching literacy and numeracy skills as part of the wide and varied curriculum which develops both learners’ skills and subject based knowledge in a joined up way”.

On the issue of teachers’ abilities to teach outside their subject areas, the Welsh Government went on: “The National Support Programme (NSP) offers tailor made support to schools in implementing the LNF, this could include developing the literacy and numeracy skills of teachers. The NSP also disseminates good practice examples of how schools can deliver the LNF in a meaningful and interesting way.”

Over the next year the Education Department will be anxious to see whether such a policy can start to achieve its aims. Parents and teachers will hope it does not detract from the importance of the learning of other subjects, essential to a holistic education for our country’s young people.

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

18 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

18 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

19 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.