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Continuing controversy over College scheme

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Artist’s impression: The new sixth form centre

PROPOSALS for a new £6.6m A-Level Centre were unveiled at Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest, on Monday (Jan 18).

A press release from the College describes the plan as a ‘cutting edge centre which will allow the college’s A-Level students and students from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol Dewi Sant to attend the college for sixth form education from September 2017, subject to ministerial approval’.

The plans for the centre promise “exceptional sixth form facilities” including new science laboratories, vibrant classrooms, flexible delivery space, high quality sports facilities and state-of-the-art learning technology.

Pembrokeshire College’s principle, Sharron Lusher said: “By investing in an A-level Centre, we are investing in the futures of the young people of Pembrokeshire and showing our commitment to providing the best educational opportunities possible, both now and in the future,”

‘EXCITING TIMES’ 

The development is planned to be a two-storey new building on the campus, which will be linked to the existing college. The vocational areas are also being remodelled, and with the location of the centre A-level learners will be able to have access to vocational qualifications.

Last year the college reported the A-level enrolments increasing to 150, over double the previous year, with the proposed merger with Fishguard and St Davids sixth forms an additional 100 students are expected for 2017 with the figure increasing the following year to 170.

This will see Pembrokeshire College become the largest provider of A-level qualifications in the county. It will be run by an A-level committee, which will consist of school, college and local authority representation.

“This is an extremely exciting time for both Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire College,” said Mrs Lusher.

“The A-level Centre will provide a dynamic environment that will allow us to prepare our young people for the workplace or higher education. With almost 200 learners progressing to university last year, the centre will become a valuable resource in helping even more learners to progress to some of the UK’s top universities.”

COLLEGE DOESN’T HAVE THE CASH 

The College anticipates the £6.6m will be funded partly through Welsh Government 21st Century School funding and partly by itself. In practice this potentially means that the local authority will be stumping up half the development costs, as the College does not have the money to complete the project unaided.

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Considering alternatives: School governor Paul Lucas

The Herald has been told by a member of College staff that the College’s intention to begin works in June 2016, and that internal works will begin at that time.

The plans include a sports centre and new science labs.

There will be a new reception area, increasing the Hair & Beauty department and drama facilities.

Our source told us that existing members of staff expect classrooms to be ‘tarted up’. Quite how the College intends to address what are understood to be significant concerns by potential students about the level of tutor support has not been specified.

In addition, owing to the lack of expert teachers at the College to teach the full-range of A Level subjects, there are also concerns at the concentration on too narrow a curriculum, unless the College and Council are somehow able to co-ordinate all teaching provision across every Pembrokeshire secondary school and compel teachers to teach A Level classes at the College.

At no stage has the authority specified how it intends to resolve timetabling, staffing, and pay issues, despite now being more than five years into the 21st Century Schools programme.

NO END IN SIGHT FOR HAVERFORDWEST 

The Herald has been told by a separate source at Pembrokeshire College that the organisation’s underlying strategy is to create a centre to entice pupils away from schools whose governing bodies, parents, and stakeholders resist the blandishments of the College and the pressure from the Council. Meanwhile The Herald has established that a combined sixth form of Tasker-Milward and Sir Thomas Picton schools would more than meet the minimum requirement for student numbers for a viable sixth form.

Were the College to make its own application for 21st Century Funding, it would be compelled to carry its own consultations with affected parties instead of having the local authority fight those battles on its behalf.

Planning consent has not yet been sought for the development, which also has to be approved by the Welsh Government before works can begin and public money allocated it. The Herald understands there is a significant risk that the grand scheme will not be approved by the Welsh Government as long as the issue of Haverfordwest Schools’ futures remains undetermined.

Such a prospect places added pressure on Pembrokeshire County Council to force through its own wishes for the reorganisation of sixth form education regardless of opposition or potential legal challenge.

The Herald has been told that legal action is more probable than not, as the Council seems prepared to ‘play chicken’ to get its own way. Council Chief Ian Westley is particularly keen to avoid a potentially prolonged legal dispute regarding post-16 education in the town, particularly given the potential for embarrassment to the authority thanks to its blundering, duplicitous, and heavy-handed approach to the consultation process – a hangover from a previous executive regime.

SCHOOL GOVERNOR RESPONDS 

Paul Lucas, Chair of the Joint Governing Body of Tasker-Milward and Sir Thomas Picton Schools said: “In Haverfordwest the Tasker Milward Governors are still looking for a single new 11 to 19 secondary school with equally good facilities to embrace a wide academic curriculum including a full range of sporting and community amenities.

The vast majority of parents and pupils have already made their views clear to the governors in that a sixth form within a school is an inherent and influential part of that school. If the sixth form is removed from the school this will, in our view, cause irreparable damage to what is left of that school, and this aspect is particularly important in our Pembrokeshire community.

“The school staff have supported this view in the past and from the information provided to me to date I have no reason to believe that this has changed in any way.”

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Charity

Contacts to NSPCC Helpline about domestic abuse reach record levels

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THE NSPCC Helpline handled a record 7,825 contacts from adults concerned about domestic abuse affecting children last year, marking a 14% increase from the previous year.

Figures released by the charity show this is the highest annual number since the Helpline began specifically tracking domestic abuse concerns in 2021/22. On average, 21 adults contacted the service daily between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025, highlighting the alarming scale of the issue.

Notably, there was a significant 29% rise in concerns relating to coercive and controlling behaviour compared to the previous year, alongside a 24% increase in reports of emotional abuse.

A third of these contacts resulted in referrals to local agencies, including police and children’s social services, ensuring immediate intervention and support for affected children.

Adults who contacted the NSPCC expressed worries about various forms of domestic abuse, including physical violence, coercive control, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, stalking, and financial abuse.

One grandparent who reached out to the Helpline described deep concerns for her grandchildren’s safety due to their step-father’s aggressive and threatening behaviour, reflecting the complex nature of domestic abuse situations.

Jess, from Wales, who experienced years of domestic abuse from her biological father, emphasised the severe, long-term impact such abuse can have on mental health and wellbeing. She urged individuals to speak up and seek help early, stating, “Contacting the Helpline could be the first step in helping turn a young person’s life around.”

Paddi Vint, Development and Quality Manager at NSPCC’s Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor Team, said: “The surge in contacts to our Helpline about domestic abuse is alarming, particularly as we’ve recorded the highest annual total since tracking began. It is crucial everyone recognises the signs of domestic abuse, particularly coercive control, which is increasingly common. Quick action and collective vigilance can significantly help protect children at risk.”

Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]. Children experiencing issues can reach Childline on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk.

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Crime

Domestic abuse a ‘public health emergency’, say campaigners

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Report finds NHS training ‘inconsistent’ as victims fall through the cracks

DOMESTIC abuse should be treated as a public health emergency, a leading charity has warned, after a new report exposed widespread failings by the NHS in identifying and supporting victims.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics figures, more than 12 million people in England and Wales—around one in four adults—have experienced domestic abuse. The charity Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (Stada) says that, despite frequent contact with both victims and perpetrators, NHS staff are often ill-equipped to intervene.

Stada reviewed domestic homicide and suicide cases published during 2024 and found that in 9 out of 10 cases, the NHS had failed in its safeguarding duties. The most common failing was a lack of proper training for staff on recognising signs of abuse.

Although national guidance recommends mandatory training for frontline NHS staff, the report found that provision remains patchy and inconsistent across services. Failures to record risk properly, share information between agencies, and link victims with mental health or alcohol support services were also highlighted.

The warning comes as a separate study in The Lancet found that more than one in four women who died by suicide and were under secondary mental health care had previously suffered domestic abuse.

Cherryl Henry-Leach, chief executive of Stada, said: “Treating domestic abuse purely as a criminal justice issue costs lives. The NHS is uniquely placed to help, but it must be properly resourced and trained to do so.”

The report urges the government to fund standardised training and improve data sharing. Without urgent reforms, Stada warns that the government’s stated aim of halving violence against women and girls by 2034 will not be met.

Tim Woodhouse, a suicide prevention expert, said as many as 1,800 suicides a year may be linked to domestic abuse, calling it “a national scandal”.

Andrea Simon, from the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said healthcare workers are often the only professionals victims may encounter: “They must be trained to spot the signs and know what to do. Inaction can lead to serious harm or even death.”

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, added: “Given the trusted relationships GPs have with patients, it is deeply worrying that chances to help might be missed.”

In response, an NHS spokesperson said: “All NHS staff must complete safeguarding training which includes domestic abuse, and this training is currently being reviewed and updated.”

A UK Government spokesperson said a new strategy to prevent domestic abuse is due later this year. “We remain committed to protecting victims, holding perpetrators accountable, and ensuring healthcare professionals have the tools to support survivors,” they said.

Help is available for domestic abuse victims in Pembrokeshire

Support services offer confidential advice, refuge and counselling

Anyone experiencing domestic abuse in Pembrokeshire is urged to seek help. Support is available 24 hours a day, and no one should suffer in silence.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

There are several local and national organisations offering confidential support, practical advice and emergency accommodation:

Key Helplines

  • Live Fear Free Helpline (24/7, confidential):
    📞 0808 80 10 800
    📱 Text: 07860 077333
    📧 Email: [email protected]
  • Victim Support (for anyone affected by crime):
    📞 0808 16 89 111
  • Refuge National Helpline (for women and children):
    📞 0808 2000 247

Local Services in Pembrokeshire

  • Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Services (PDAS)
    Offers outreach, one-to-one support, refuge, counselling, and children’s programmes.
    📞 01554 752 422
  • Stori (formerly Hafan Cymru)
    Provides housing support, drop-in advice and specialist help for women, men and families.
    📍 8 High Street, Haverfordwest, SA61 2DA
    🕘 Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
    📞 01437 768 761
    📧 Email: [email protected]
  • Welsh Women’s Aid
    A national organisation working with local providers to ensure survivors get the help they need.
    Contact via the Live Fear Free Helpline above.

You are not alone.
Whether you need immediate safety, someone to talk to, or long-term support, these services are here to help. All calls are confidential and support is available for women, men and children.

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Business

Mayor welcomes Eyemazy to Tenby with official opening

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TENBY Mayor Cllr Dai Morgan officially welcomed a unique new business to the town on Sunday (June 23) with the opening of Eyemazy, a creative studio specialising in transforming photographs of the human iris into striking pieces of personalised art.

Speaking at the launch, the Mayor said: “Tenby has always been a place of breathtaking beauty, creativity, and warm community spirit. Today, we celebrate something new that captures all of that—and more.”

Eyemazy, which offers cutting-edge imaging and custom artwork services, allows visitors to turn a close-up image of their eye into a one-of-a-kind visual display. The studio adds to Tenby’s growing reputation as a hub of artistic innovation and tourism.

“This innovative studio transforms something truly personal—your iris—into a unique work of art,” added the Mayor. “It’s a celebration of individuality, creativity, and the beauty within each of us. Eyemazy not only brings artistic flair to Tenby but also strengthens our local economy and continues our proud tradition of blending creativity with commerce.”

Cllr Morgan concluded by offering a warm welcome to the Eyemazy team and said he looked forward to the studio becoming a popular destination for both residents and tourists.

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