News

Haverfordwest: Comprehensive school placed into special measures

Published

9 years ago

July 6, 2016

stp A SECOND Haverfordwest secondary school has been placed in special measures by Estyn following a monitoring visit which concluded insufficient progress had been made against recommendations made in January 2015.

Sir Thomas Picton School was found to have made ‘limited progress’ against four out of five recommendations made previously by school inspectors.

While the report noted an improvement in Key Stage Three results, particularly among boys, results at Key Stage Four had fallen back. In addition, school attendance was ‘below modelled’ levels. Meanwhile two staff training issues, relating to self-evaluation and effective middle-leadership, had been resolved by only a minority of the staff concerned.

The background to the report has been the long-term absence of Dr Nick Poole, who has now retired as Headteacher at the school, in combination with the approach of Pembrokeshire County Council, which wants to close it.

In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the school, exacerbated by the Council’s total failure to harmonise its plans for the future of secondary provision in Pembrokeshire or present them in a lawful way, has caused key staff members to leave the school, particularly at the end of the last academic year.

As a result of the finding, newly qualified teachers will not be permitted to carry out induction at Sir Thomas Picton School.

Pembrokeshire Council and the school has to devise an urgent action plan to address the shortcomings identified in the report.

Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas, Mid and West AM, said: “It is disappointing to hear that the school has not made sufficient progress in key areas since a previous inspection in January 2015.

“I’m afraid Pembrokeshire Council has to get its act together when it comes to education. Compare their record with neighbouring Plaid-led Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire Council and it is found wanting. For the sake of our children, we need change at the top of Pembrokeshire Council.

“Plaid Cymru has asked for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. I’ve written to the school to ask as an Assembly Member what support I can give and alerted my shadow cabinet colleague Llyr Gruffydd who is responsible for education.”

A statement from Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Acting Headteacher, Tracy Edwards, together with the governing body of Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, recognises fully the findings of the recent Estyn monitoring visit which has placed the school into the statutory category of special measures.”

While disappointed that there has only been limited progress made against four of the recommendations set out as part of the full inspection report, very good progress has been made against one and the school is working effectively to embed improved systems and processes to bring about the expected increase in outcomes.

“The school will work closely with Estyn to further monitor progress against the recommendations.

“The staff at Sir Thomas Picton School are wholly committed to improving standards, developing learning, and ensuring that the children are able to fully achieve in a caring and safe environment.”

A school governor told The Herald: “It cannot be just a coincidence that the two Haverfordwest secondary schools find themselves in special measures at the same time, and during the two-year period of fiasco consultations running about secondary education in Haverfordwest.

“The potential for losing sixth forms has caused much heartache amongst the staff at both schools. Many have been demoralised and a great many of perhaps our better teachers (not all though) have left for more appealing pastures.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

16 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

38 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

44 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.