News

Head Teacher struck off

Published

9 years ago

February 12, 2016

THE 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.”

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.

Community

Baby loss remembrance service at Withybush Hospital

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE ANNUAL baby loss remembrance service will take place on Tuesday 1 October 2024 at St Luke’s Chapel in Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest at 7.00pm.

The ‘Forget Me Not’ service is part of the health board’s commitment to Baby Loss Awareness week (9-15 October) and is arranged by Midwifery and Bereavement teams and led by the Spiritual Care Department (Chaplaincy).

Euryl Howells, Senior Chaplain at Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Experiencing the loss of a baby is an incredibly painful experience, and the service allows parents and their families to reflect and remember surrounded by support and love.

The service has long been a source of comfort for parents and families and will include prayers and readings, as well as poems and music to reflect. The service offers the opportunity for people to come together and remember the lives of babies who are sadly no longer with us.

Euryl Howells continued: “The loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death is overwhelming and emotional. We meet families during some of their darkest days and to meet them sometimes after months or years after their bereavement is a privilege and special to staff.”

Should you require further information please contact Euryl Howells by telephone or email 01267 227563 or [email protected]

If you are unable to attend the service and wish to commemorate your loved one, please send a message to [email protected] by 29 September 2024.

Community

Pure West Radio gears up for DAB launch

Published

5 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PURE West Radio is poised to enter a new era in its six-year history as it counts down to the launch of Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) later this autumn. The station is awaiting the activation of five transmitters, which will enable DAB to broadcast extensively across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. This move is set to significantly enhance Pure West Radio’s listener base and deliver an exceptional radio sound quality.

Toby Ellis, Pure West’s director, expressed his excitement about this milestone. “This is a very exciting time for Pure West Radio as it means we’re now going to be able to continue to expand in so many different directions,” he said. “Our biggest focus has always been the people who listen to us and who’ve grown with us since we first launched back in April 2018. The way in which we’re now moving forward is due to the hard work and commitment that this dedicated team has shown.”

***PWR Director Toby Ellis (Image: Facebook)***

The station, which has been a key part of the Pembrokeshire community since its inception, boasts a workforce of 13 people, including presenters, producers, journalists, and sales personnel. Additionally, it benefits from a strong voluntary sector comprising over 100 members, contributing to its hybrid working model. This approach allows the station to maintain a strong community commitment while ensuring commercial viability.

“Our move to DAB will enable more people to remain connected to our platform as we continue delivering interviews, local news, information, and of course, a whole load of quality music,” Ellis added. Pure West Radio has grown rapidly, reaching over 500,000 people across its platforms each month. During the COVID-19 crisis, it played a crucial role in providing up-to-date information in collaboration with Pembrokeshire County Council.

The station, which celebrated its third birthday recently, has seen two million listens since its start, with an average of 50,000 listens per week. This audience engagement is approaching nearly half of the population of Pembrokeshire. The upcoming DAB launch marks a significant development for the station, allowing it to reach a wider audience and continue its mission of delivering local news, community events, and music to its listeners.

Pure West Radio has close links to the Herald, with its Director, Toby Ellis, General Manager Mathew Rickard and its Head of News, Sarah Jane-Absalom all having previously worked at The Pembrokeshire Herald or Herald Radio.

Herald Editor Tom Sinclair said: “Everyone at The Herald wishes Toby and the team the best of luck with this important milestone.

“Getting on the airwaves is what Pure West Radio needs to take it to the next level and we are very proud of what the PWR team have achieved over the last few years.”

Those interested in becoming part of the radio station can get more information by emailing [email protected].

The official DAB launch date will be announced in the near future, Pure West Radio said.

Crime

West Wales teenager sentenced for terrorism offences and assault

Published

6 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A 19-YEAR OLD male from west Wales appeared before Winchester Crown Court today (Thursday, September 19, 2024) after pleading guilty to terrorism offences and an assault that was motivated by and demonstrating hostility towards the victim based on her transgender identity.

Alex Hutton, from Swansea, who has previously been convicted of offences under the Terrorism Act was arrested in November last year after South Wales Police received a report from a member of the public stating they had viewed a video on Hutton’s Instagram in which he claims to have kicked an unidentified person in the head. The video also contained far right imagery.

Hutton has been sentenced to ten years and four months in prison.

Detective Chief Inspector Leanne Williams, Head of Investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing Wales, said: “We welcome the outcome of this case. Alex Hutton, motivated by hate, engaged in a horrendous and unprovoked attack on a defenceless young girl who was minding her own business one afternoon in a Swansea park in May 2023.

“There is no doubt that the attack will have lasting effects on this young person and I really hope today’s outcome provides her with some comfort.

“Furthermore, Hutton demonstrated a clear intention to spread his hatred across the internet encouraging acts of terrorism. Officers from Counter Terrorism Policing Wales uncovered his actions during a detailed investigation, which then led us to the assault that took place earlier in the year.

“I hope he now uses the time in custody to reflect on his actions, with a view to leading a far more productive life upon his eventual release.”

Bethan David, Head of Counter Terrorism Division at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Alex Hutton is not simply a fantasist that held extreme views, he is a dangerous young man.

“His unprovoked attack was driven by hate and he poses a substantial risk to other groups and society as a whole.

“He celebrated terrorist acts of white supremacy and encouraged his friends and associates on various social media and messaging platforms to join him in his extreme and disturbing views.

“The CPS will always prosecute those who encourage acts of terrorism and hate to protect the public.”

Chief Inspector Lindsey Sweeney from South Wales Police said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this investigation, a case which involved a senseless, violent Hate Crime. We want to reassure the community that this behaviour will never be tolerated in our area, and the perpetrators will be swiftly identified, arrested and duly sent to prison.

“Here in Swansea, we have a great multicultural city which has been demonstrated by a series of fantastic events involving the whole community in recent weeks and months. At South Wales Police, we work every day to ensure that the city is a safe and welcoming place for people of all backgrounds.”

Anyone who sees or hears something that could be terrorist-related should act on their instincts and call the police in confidence on 0800 789 321. In an emergency, always dial 999. Visit gov.uk/ACT for more information, including how to report extremist or terrorist content that is online.