THE SPARC Alliance recently hosted an information day at RWE’s Pembroke Net Zero Centre (PNZC), inviting nine secondary school teachers to learn about the latest green technology developments in Pembrokeshire.

Members including RWE, Blue Gem Wind, Floventis (Cierco Energy), Port of Milford Haven, Ledwood Engineering, ERM, and Morgan Sindall Construction delivered presentations on Green Hydrogen, Ports, Floating Offshore Wind, Engineering, and Sustainable Construction. Newly appointed Patron, CEO Luciana Ciubotariu, Celtic Freeport, spent the day with the teachers and toured the impressive PNZC site.

Ben Williams and Dr Mark Picton from RWE jointly commented, “The day aimed to equip the newly appointed SPARC Practitioners with knowledge about Net Zero’s positive impact in Pembrokeshire, the evolving job market, and future prospects — highlighting the potential rise in high-value technical jobs across the region”.

STEM teachers among the SPARC Practitioners welcomed the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, intending to integrate local Net Zero advancements into their classrooms. This initiative aims to inspire young female learners to consider careers in sustainable power, renewables, and construction — fields they might not have otherwise explored.

The SPARC Practitioners receive support from the Alliance’s full membership and a Schools/Industry Liaison, Holly Skyrme of Marine Energy Wales and Pembrokeshire College. Industry engagement is a crucial component to complement classroom learning, encouraging young female participation.

Starting in September, the SPARC Alliance programme offers bite-sized learning and careers education for 12–14-year-olds. The ‘Project Influencer’ unit culminates in an inter-school competition and prize-giving event next July ‘25. Additionally, the Alliance, which includes Pembrokeshire College, plan to launch a mentoring programme for post-16 females as part of the initiative.

For more information about the SPARC Alliance, please contact: [email protected]

NEYLAND Community School is proud to have achieved Trauma Informed School status, underlining the school’s commitment to supporting pupils to learn and flourish.

A Trauma Informed School (TIS) is one that equipped to support children with trauma or mental health problems which can act as a barrier to learning. 

To achieve the TIS status, the school had to demonstrate the implementation of the Protect, Relate, Regulate and Reflect principles.

Applicants for the Trauma and Mental Health Informed Award must have completed TISUK staff training and demonstrate the use of emotionally available adults to support children who have experienced trauma.

Following a thorough application, a member of the TIS team visited the school for the day to witness the provision on offer, the ethos of the school, and talk with parents/carers, children and staff.

They also visited classrooms and witnessed key times of the school day such as of the start of the day and lunchtimes. 

The report following the visit and confirming TIS status, said: “Neyland Community Primary School provides a safe, caring and nurturing environment in which all children are supported to flourish and feel happy and safe as they learn.

“The children are happy because they are supported by every member of staff from the minute they arrive at school to when they leave.”

The report concluded: “Children are able to talk confidently and knowledgably about topics related to their well-being and mental health and are supportive of one another – they love their school, dream big and work hard!”

The school’s use of a walking bus, where teachers collect children from different parts of the town to walk together to school was highlighted as best practice.

The walking bus had reduced absences and late arrivals and provided a positive start to the day with an opportunity to talk to adults on the way to school.

Neyland Community School Headteacher Clare Hewitt said: “We are incredibly proud of this award and to be recognised for our Trauma Informed practice. We have been developing this approach over the last few years, it takes time and doesn’t happen by accident.

“It is a culture and an ethos that we pride ourselves on for all our children, families and staff that makes Neyland a very special place to be.”

James White, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Head of Engagement & Inclusion, added: “Neyland have been a trailblazer for the Trauma Informed approach from the beginning, and it is great to see their work being recognised. 

“I have been particularly impressed with how the whole staff group and pupils in the school have taken up the work, as well as the senior leaders”.

Pictured above: Neyland Community School pupils hold the Trauma Informed School plaque. Pictured with the young people are (left to right): Clare Hewitt (Headteacher), Gemma Morris (Assistant Headteacher), Chris Griffiths (Assistant Headteacher / ALNCo) and James White, Council Head of Engagement & Inclusion.

QUALIFICATIONS WALES has today published the findings of an in-depth, two-year review of Essential Skills Wales qualifications. 

This review set out to establish whether the existing qualifications and the assessment methods used met the needs of learners, learning providers, and employers in Wales.  

Essential Skills Wales qualifications – which cover the subjects of application of number, communication, digital literacy and employability – are designed for use in post-16 courses in further education, work-based learning, and adult community learning. They enable learners to develop and demonstrate the skills that are essential to gain a foothold in or progress in their chosen careers, and gain valuable skills prized by employers. Last year, more than 23,000 Essential Skills Wales certificates were awarded to learners across Wales as part of apprenticeships, post-16 further education programmes and adult community learning.  

During the review, the Qualifications Wales team carried out extensive research and spoke to learners, providers, and employers – and the majority wanted reform. They gave feedback about the currency and manageability of the qualifications and their assessments. 

The regulator is now planning to reform three of the four subject areas: application of number; communications; digital literacy. 

Reform will be phased in and the new qualifications will be available to centres for first delivery from 2028. Qualifications Wales will continue to listen to learners, employers, and learning providers, and it will involve them in the next steps to ensure that the content and assessment methods for these reformed qualifications are fit for purpose.  

The announcement was made at the launch of the review report at ACT Training’s Cardiff Skills Centre in Ocean Park House, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, today. 

Gareth Downey, Senior Qualifications Manager, said: ”Essential Skills Wales, which are a key part of apprenticeships and are widely taken in further education, support learners to progress in education, work and life. Our review findings show there are strengths to the current Essential Skills Wales qualifications, but there are issues that require our attention in the short and longer term.  

“We have worked with key partners to address some issues but it is clear that reform is needed in the longer term. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders and key partners to reform qualifications in application of number, communication and digital literacy to ensure that they fully meet the needs of learners, providers and employers in Wales.” 

Training provider ACT Training was one of the stakeholders the regulator consulted during the review process. It has sites in Cardiff, Barry, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Aberdare, Pontypool, and Ebbw Vale. 

ACT’s Head of Skills and Curriculum Development, Tracey Spiller, said: “ACT welcomed the opportunity to work with Qualifications Wales and other training and FE providers of Essential Skills. The process of the review was clearly communicated, and we were included at every step. We really felt that our feedback mattered, and we are excited to be a part of what comes next.”    

Martin Davis, Regional Quality Manager for Learning & Skills in HMPPS Wales, added: “We are really excited to be included as part of the ESW qualification review that is currently being undertaken, as many of the learners in custody have missed opportunities to learn these skills prior to their sentence. It is therefore critical to be able to offer them the chance to undertake regulated qualifications, in line with colleges across Wales.”     

Andrew Bond, Curriculum Manager Skills and Partnerships of Bridgend College, said: “At Bridgend College, we believe that Essential Skills Wales qualifications play a crucial role in empowering learners and transforming their lives. These qualifications provide a solid foundation in key areas such as communication, numeracy, and digital literacy, all of which are vital for personal growth, career development, and active participation in society. By equipping learners with these essential skills, we help them build confidence, achieve their aspirations, and enhance their employability, enabling them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and the economy.”