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Head Teacher struck off

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Screen Shot 2016-02-12 at 14.48.46THE FORMER Head-Teacher at Ysgol Gynradd Eglwyswrw was struck off by a disciplinary panel in Cardiff on Thursday (Jan 28) after being found guilty of professional misconduct.

An Education Workforce Panel found that Shan Harries had inflated Year Six pupils’ test results in order to avoid an adverse report from Estyn, the body responsible for the inspection and regulation of education and training in Wales.

Ms Harries had previously admitted telling an administrator to amend the results, but denied improving them. Ms Harries argued that it was within her rights as head teacher to adjust the results to reflect the achievements of its pupils.

The panel was told that Mrs Harries had earlier denied adjusting the results during an investigation of her conduct by Pembrokeshire County Council.

A member of school staff told the hearing that Mrs Harries had told her that the marks had to be made to look good ‘because we don’t want Estyn coming back again’.

Recommendations had been made following an earlier Estyn inspection and presenting officer Cadi Dewi told panel members that Mrs Harries was ‘underpressure because of that and she knew they were going to visit the school the following year’.

While the Estyn report for the school had been good overall, the panel was told that Mrs Harries was concerned about a specific recommendation relating to Welsh writing for pupils at Key Stage Two at the school.

Evidence given before the panel indicated that there was considerable tension between Mrs Harries’ approach to attainment issues and other members of the school teaching staff.

Speaking to the panel, Mrs Harries’ Deputy Head Tim Davies said: “She said we had to raise the standards of writing in the school. All pupils in Year Six had to reach Level Four.

“I remember saying that there were going to be some children who would struggle to achieve this given the cohort of children we had.”

Mr Davies also referred to at least one ‘heated’ conversation with Mrs Harries about increasing the level of attainment expected of the school’s students to unreasonable or unrealistic levels.

Reading a statement from Ms Harries, her solicitor Esyllt Green said: “I dedicated my entire life to my work as teacher and head teacher at Eglwyswrw County Primary School, and I am fully aware of the full extent of my actions.

“I relive it every day and night and I am full of remorse at what has happened.

“I had to deal with all the rumours and gossip that naturally occurs when a head teacher leaves a school suddenly in a close knit community.

“My picture appeared on the front page of the local newspaper which made the situation worse but the comments that appeared beneath the online story were supportive.”

EWC committee chairman Richard Parry Jones, said: “We are satisfied on the basis of Ms Harries’ admissions and our findings that her conduct amounts to unacceptable professional conduct.

“Registered teachers are to act with honesty and integrity and to uphold their conduct in teaching.

“That is the decision of the committee following detailed consideration of the evidence presented to us.”

Ms Harries was made the subject of a prohibition order, which will prevent her from teaching in any capacity. She has 28 days to appeal.

A member of school staff told the hearing that Mrs Harries had told her that the marks had to be made to look good “because we don’t want Estyn coming back again”.

Recommendations had been made following an earlier Estyn inspection and presenting officer Cadi Dewi told panel members that Mrs Harries was: “under pressure because of that and she knew they were going to visit the school the following year.”

While the Estyn report for the school had been good overall, the panel was told that Mrs Harries was concerned about a specific recommendation relating to Welsh writing for pupils at Key Stage Two at the school.

Evidence given before the panel indicated that there was considerable tension between Mrs Harries’s approach to attainment issues and other members of the school teaching staff.

Mrs Harries’ deputy head, Tim Davies, told the panel Mr Davies said: “She said we had to raise the standards of writing in the school. All pupils in year six had to reach level four.

“I remember saying that there was going to be some children who would struggle to achieve this given the cohort of children we had.”

Mr Davies also referred to at least one ‘heated’ conversation with Mrs Harries about increasing the level of attainment expected of the school’s students to unreasonable or unrealistic levels.

Mrs Harries denies any dishonest intent, while a picture has emerged at the panel hearing of increasing pressure being brought to bear on head teachers by Estyn demanding that certain levels of attainment be met regardless of past results or experience at schools inspected.

 

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. tomos

    February 22, 2016 at 8:37 am

    SO unfair, maybe we should look at the actions of some ppl in the Kremlin on the Cleddau!

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Crime

Plaid attacks Reform’s new Welsh leader as ‘Farage’s deputy’ ahead of Senedd vote

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Party says defecting Tories show Reform is ‘a vehicle for Westminster power, not Wales’

RHUN AP IORWERTH has launched a sharp attack on Reform UK after the party appointed a former Conservative council leader to head its Welsh operation, accusing the movement of existing solely to deliver Nigel Farage into Downing Street rather than serve Welsh communities.

The Plaid Cymru leader said Reform’s latest appointment and a string of Conservative defections prove the party is “recycled, washed-out Tories looking for a new political home” and warned voters that Wales risked becoming “a stepping stone” for Westminster ambitions.

Dan Thomas has been named Reform’s figurehead in Wales, a role Plaid has branded “Farage’s deputy”, with responsibility for building support ahead of the next Senedd election.

The move follows the defection of former Conservative Senedd member James Evans to Reform, making him the second ex-Tory MS to cross the floor.

‘Nothing to offer Wales’

Speaking ahead of a visit to businesses in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 5), Mr ap Iorwerth said Reform’s Welsh leadership change would make little difference to voters.

“Two more ex-Tories defecting to Reform UK should come as no surprise to the people of Wales,” he said.

“Now there is no doubt that Reform UK are simply recycled Conservatives looking for a new political home.

“It doesn’t matter who Farage has selected to represent him. The so-called leader’s sole responsibility will be to get Nigel Farage into No.10 Downing Street, because for Reform, Wales is nothing but a stepping stone.”

He added that Reform was “weak on solutions, weak on ideas, and weak on standing up for Wales”, and claimed only Plaid could prevent the party topping the poll at the next election.

Poll pressure

Recent opinion polling has suggested a fragmented Welsh political landscape, with Plaid Cymru and Reform both competing strongly in parts of south and west Wales, while Labour faces losses after years in government.

Reform has sought to capitalise on frustration over NHS waiting times, the cost of living and rural economic pressures, presenting itself as an anti-establishment alternative. The party has also targeted former Conservative voters disillusioned with Westminster politics.

Plaid, meanwhile, argues that Reform offers “London-centric” policies with little understanding of devolved responsibilities such as health and education.

Controversial past

Plaid figures also pointed to Reform’s previous leadership history in Wales, noting that former MEP Nathan Gill, once associated with the party’s earlier iterations, was recently convicted in a high-profile bribery case linked to pro-Russian lobbying. Reform has since distanced itself from past controversies and says it is building a new team.

Business focus

During his Llanelli visit, Mr ap Iorwerth said he would meet local traders to discuss energy costs, staffing pressures and economic growth.

“Plaid Cymru offers new leadership for Wales with credible plans for our communities, and the ambition Wales deserves,” he said.

Reform UK has been approached for comment.

The next Senedd election is expected to take place in May, with parties already positioning themselves for what could be one of the most competitive contests since devolution began.

 

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Local Government

Ceredigion council tax set to rise by 4.7 per cent

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COUNCIL TAX in Ceredigion is expected to rise by 4.7 per cent for the next financial year, following a better-than-expected funding settlement from the Welsh Government that has eased pressure on the county’s budget.

The increase is significantly lower than earlier projections, which had suggested a rise of close to nine per cent, and comes after additional grant funding was secured for local authorities across Wales.

Last year, council tax in Ceredigion rose by 9.3 per cent as part of the 2025–26 budget.

While council tax accounts for only part of the authority’s income, a key element of its funding comes from Aggregate External Finance (AEF) provided by the Welsh Government.

Under the provisional settlement, Ceredigion County Council was initially set to receive a 2.3 per cent uplift—around £3.39m—bringing its total settlement to approximately £150.67m. This placed Ceredigion joint 13th out of Wales’ 22 local authorities.

However, following a subsequent agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, further funding was made available to councils, improving Ceredigion’s financial position.

Speaking last November, before the enhanced settlement was confirmed, council leader Cllr Bryan Davies warned that early estimates suggested an 8.9 per cent council tax rise might be required. Further modelling of service pressures and potential operational savings later reduced that estimate to 6.9 per cent.

The improved funding outlook was outlined to Cabinet in January by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, Cllr Gareth Davies, who proposed a 4.75 per cent increase as part of a draft budget requirement of £221.493m.

Members of the council’s Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee heard on Monday (February 3) that the position had improved again. Additional financial support towards the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy has allowed the projected increase to fall slightly further, to 4.7 per cent.

For a typical Band D household, this would equate to an increase of around £7.39 per month in the next financial year.

The committee agreed to note the revised figure. A formal recommendation on council tax levels will be considered by Cabinet on February 10, with the final budget decision due to be made by full council on March 2.

 

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Local Government

Haverfordwest Cartlett chocolate factory call to planners

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A CALL for the retrospective conversion of office space previously connected to a Pembrokeshire car hire business to a chocolate factory, a beauty salon and a laundrette has been submitted to county planners

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr M Williams, through agent Preseli Planning Ltd, sought retrospective permission for the subdivision of an office on land off Scotchwell Cottage, Cartlett, Haverfordwest into three units forming a chocolate manufacturing, a beauty salon, and a launderette, along with associated works.

A supporting statement said planning history at the site saw a 2018 application for the refurbishment of an existing office building and a change of use from oil depot offices to a hire car office and car/van storage yard, approved back in 2019.

For the chocolate manufacturing by ‘Pembrokeshire Chocolate company,’ as part of the latest scheme it said: “The operation comprises of manufacturing of handmade bespoke flavoured chocolate bars. Historically there was an element of counter sales but this has now ceased. The business sales comprise of online orders and the delivery of produce to local stockist. There are no counter sales from the premises.”

It said the beauty salon “offers treatments, nail services and hairdressing,” operating “on an appointment only basis, with the hairdresser element also offering a mobile service”. It said the third unit of the building functions as a commercial laundrette and ironing services known as ‘West Coast Laundry,’ which “predominantly provides services to holiday cottages, hotels and care homes”.

The statement added: “Beyond the unchanged access the site has parking provision for at least 12 vehicles and a turning area. The building now forms three units which employ two persons per unit. The 12 parking spaces, therefore, provide sufficient provision for staff.

“In terms of visiting members of the public the beauty salon operates on an appointment only basis and based on its small scale can only accommodate two customers at any one time. Therefore, ample parking provision exists to visitors.

“With regard to the chocolate manufacturing and commercial laundrette service these enterprises do not attract visitors but do attract the dropping off laundry and delivery of associated inputs. Drop off and collections associated with the laundry services tend to fall in line with holiday accommodation changeover days, for example Tuesday drop off and collections on the Thursday.

 

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