Education

Pembrokeshire College management excels

Published

10 years ago

September 30, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Proud of the college team:
Sharron Lusher

THURSDAY November 5 will see the NSMW team serving school meals to the Members of the National Assembly for Wales. We will be situated in the Neuadd in the Senedd, which houses the public reception and information area, and was conceived as an orientation and event area when the home of the Assembly was designed and built earlier this century. It will be a terrific opportunity to show the quality of a modern school meal to both the AM’s and members of the general public.
Cardiff Council Education Catering are producing an exciting menu of mains and desserts from both their regular primary and secondary menus that will reflect both the ethnicity of the city as well as some traditional Welsh favourites. In addition they will select a number of their chefs and support staff to produce the food in the Senedd on the day and we will be uploading the final choice of dishes shortly so keep checking the site. Assembly Member for Arfon in Gwynedd, Mr Alun Ffred Jones has sponsored the event (it is a requirement that any event in the Assembly building has to have a Member sponsor it) and said: “I am delighted to be involved with National School Meals Week and happy to sponsor the LACA event at the Senedd.
Teaching children from a young age about the benefits of healthy eating and living, while making the learning fun and enjoyable is what makes this initiative so important. “Research has shown that children, who have had a healthy, nutritious lunch, concentrate better, have improved behaviour and increased educational attainment. Holding high profile events helps to put this message across via the various media channels and informs parents, resulting in improved uptake.” The LACA Wales committee are delighted that such a high profile event is taking place at the heart of Welsh Government and that school meals are being shown in such a positive light.
Chair Toni Edwards commented: “The Welsh LACA (Lead Association for Catering in Education) Region is absolutely thrilled that the Assembly Member for Arfon in Gwynedd Mr Alun Ffred Jones is sponsoring us to attend the Senedd for National School Meals week. School meals are an important part of the school day and this high profile event will help highlight the exceptional work that goes on across Wales.
“Welsh school meals pack in all the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a child’s healthy development and this event will enable us to showcase our success and hopefully encourage more parents to take up the offer of meals for their children. The whole Region is looking forward to the event, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate how successful Wales has become in supplying excellent meals for our young customers.” It will be an outstanding way to celebrate all that is great about our industry in such an iconic location and will be the high point of what should be another successful National School Meals Week.
COLLEGE leaders have been judged as ‘Excellent’ by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Estyn following a recent inspection of the College-led work-based learning Consortium – *B-wbl.
Estyn’s inspection team (the same common framework which covers school, colleges and workbased learning) judged the College’s leadership as ‘highly effective in setting clear strategic direction for the delivery of their work-based learning contract’. The current performance was rated as ‘Good’ with the Prospects for Improvement as ‘Excellent’. In total there were 10 ‘Good’ judgements and 5 ‘Excellent’ judgements. The college management team were identified as having a clear focus on effective collaborative working and the improvement of learner standards across all Consortium members. Pembrokeshire College Principal, Sharron Lusher has commended the College staff on their achievements.
“I’m so proud of the College team who have worked tirelessly to ensure all our learners in the Consortium have every chance of succeeding. Our results show that the dedication and support of an excellent team of staff across all our Consortium partners has played a key role in ensuring we deliver high quality learning and teaching. To have this endorsed in such a positive way by Estyn, with all areas being judged as either excellent or good is such a boost for the Consortium team.”
Work-based learning which is part financed by the European Union Social Fund, provides apprenticeships and higher apprenticeships in the workplace across a wide range of industries in south and mid Wales, including construction, engineering, business and management, veterinary nursing and forestry management have recently been added. The Consortium’s success rate is 2% above the national comparator at 86%. This result is down to a highly skilled and qualified workforce who are committed to ensuring learners progress well on their programmes. Estyn inspectors noted the effectiveness of learning and teaching and reported: “Tutors and assessors have good subject knowledge, suitable occupational skills and industry knowledge Partnership working and the learning environment were also given excellent judgements, the latter reflecting the honest and inclusive culture embedded in the Consortium’s values and ethos.
There are over 5,000 consortium learners, with a few now opting for the higher apprenticeship programme as an alternative to university. Former soldier and student Stephen Thomas was selected for the higher apprenticeship programme at Valero. Simon Cuff who is a health and social care apprentice at Marlowe St David’s Educational Unit, has reached the finals of the Higher Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2015. “As a new partner in the Pembrokeshire consortium, the College Merthyr Tydfil were delighted to be involved in the inspection, which has commended the high quality programmes delivered across the consortium for all learners,” Deputy Principal, Jonathan Martin.

Education

Tenby school built just nine years ago needs new roof

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PUPILS at a leaking Pembrokeshire school, built just nine years ago, which now has more than 500 props holding up parts of its roof, are likely to be forced to relocate while a new roof is put on.

Tenby VC School, a 3–11 English-medium primary school with an additional Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provision, was built in 2016.

Just a few years after its build, there were reports of water ingress.

Initial investigations in 2023 identified the requirement for repairs to the flat roof areas, and in 2024 its solar PV array was removed to reduce the load on the roof following engineer advice.

Last November, a £75,000 feasibility budget to look at ways of tackling roof leaks at Tenby’s VC school, including a complete new roof, was backed by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.

At the time, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “A number of [areas of water ingress] have been repaired, but unfortunately a number of leaks have resulted in a weakening of the structure and components within the roof construction.”

In response to the findings of the feasibility study, the council has implemented a series of urgent health and safety measures to mitigate immediate risks, a report for members at the November 2025 Cabinet meeting said.

These include the installation of 510 ‘acro’ props to support vulnerable roof areas and the full closure of the Early Years/Playgroup wing, along with regular inspections.

At the meeting, members received a report detailing the findings of the feasibility study, presented by Cllr Woodham, with a favoured option of the replacement of entire roof.

It said: “Considering the recommendation to proceed with [full roof replacement] a comprehensive decant strategy needs to be developed with all stakeholders and the community to ensure educational continuity, meet health and safety requirements and safeguard the wellbeing of pupils and staff throughout the construction period and following information needs to be considered in relation to any decant strategy.”

Cllr Woodham said he was “totally aware of the concern in relation to how this progresses,” adding: “The priority is the wellbeing of the learners and staff at the school, we’ll do everything to move as quickly as we can.”

Members backed recommendations that the School Modernisation Working Group be requested to determine the final preferred outcomes in relation to the Tenby Area, and that those recommendations be presented to full council in December.

They also backed tenders for the works being sought, with a further report to Cabinet, and a comprehensive decant strategy be produced; a report returning to Cabinet by January at the latest.

Business

Door supervisor training returns to Pembroke with new work opportunities

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Six-day SIA course includes emergency first aid and unlimited resits

A LEADING security training provider is bringing its latest SIA Door Supervisor course to Pembroke next month, offering local people a route into full-time and flexible work across the events and security industry.

RM Training and Security Solutions Ltd will run the six-day course from 1–6 December, with the option to include Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW). The standard course is priced at £300, or £350 including EFAW, with an additional £50 for unlimited resits, making it one of the most accessible routes into the profession.

The company, recently recognised as one of the best training providers of 2024/25 by Pembrokeshire County Council and Future Works, says demand for licensed security staff remains high across West Wales — particularly for events, hospitality, night-time economy venues and seasonal activities.

Local opportunity

The course offers a mix of classroom learning and practical scenarios, delivered by experienced industry instructors. Organisers say trainees can expect:

Funding options (subject to eligibility)
Free daily refreshments
Results within four days
Access to job opportunities once a licence is issued

With major events in Tenby, Pembroke, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest routinely seeking licensed door staff, the programme is expected to attract strong local interest.

A spokesperson for RM Training and Security Solutions said the course continues to draw people from a range of backgrounds: “We train complete beginners, people changing careers, and those already working in hospitality or retail who want extra qualifications. There is always work available for good, reliable staff.”

Wider availability

Alongside Pembroke, the company also runs regular training in Port Talbot, Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Cardigan, Dartford and Kent, supporting learners across Wales and beyond.

Anyone wishing to book a place can do so online at:
www.rmtrainingandsecuritysolutionsltd.co.uk/security-training/booking-form

Enquiries can be made via:
[email protected]
07388 069 600 or 01834 526 418.

Education

Ten years of ‘Food and Fun’: Welsh holiday scheme marks milestone with awards

Published

3 days ago

November 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A decade of support for families celebrated, with Neyland Community Primary School among Wales-wide winners

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT’S flagship Food and Fun school holiday enrichment programme has celebrated its tenth anniversary, marking a decade of supporting thousands of families during the long summer break.

The awards ceremony, held earlier this month, recognised schools, volunteers, catering teams and health boards who have played a key role in shaping the programme. One of this year’s winners was Neyland Community Primary School, which received the Working Together Award, highlighting the strength of community partnerships in Pembrokeshire.

Ten years on

Food and Fun began as a small Cardiff Council pilot and has since grown into a national scheme coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association and funded by the Welsh Government. It now operates across all twenty-two local authorities.

Each summer, the scheme provides free healthy meals alongside activity sessions, giving children a safe, social and active space during the holidays. Over the past decade, more than 800,000 places have been delivered. This summer alone, around 15,000 learners from 300 schools took part.

Education Secretary Lynne Neagle, who presented awards at the event, said the success of the programme was down to the dedication of staff and volunteers who work with partner organisations to offer enriching opportunities.

She said: “The value of our investment goes far beyond pounds and pence. Helping families enjoy activities, learn about nutrition, engage with friends and have delicious food is at the heart of Food and Fun.”

Councillor Lis Burnett, WLGA spokesperson for Education, added that the programme’s strength lay in the collaboration between councils, schools and partner organisations.

Celebrating local achievement

Neyland Community Primary School’s recognition for its partnership work brings the national story home to Pembrokeshire. The school has long been praised locally for its community engagement, and this award places it among the top examples of best practice across Wales.

Full list of winners

Council Co-ordinator: Paul Williams, Neath Port Talbot Youth Service
Co-ordinator award scheme: Sabrina Amor, Herbert Thompson Primary School
Scheme Staff award: Luke Cross, Ysgol Cwm Brombil
Catering award: Sarah Lever and Caroline Clatworthy, Bridgend Catering
Volunteer Award: Harri and Sion Colthard, Ysgol Calon y Cymoedd
Health Board Award: Cardiff and Vale University Health Board
Sports Coach Awards: MonLife
Working Together Award: Neyland Community Primary School
School Impact Award: Gemma Ness, Ysgol Awel Y Mor
Outstanding Contribution Award: Angharad Williams, Ysgol y Gogarth
Children’s Choice Award: Justin Johnson, Torfaen Play

The Welsh Government has described Food and Fun as a model for ensuring young people stay active, healthy and connected throughout the summer, particularly during a time when many families feel financial pressure most acutely.