Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Governors face axe at Taskers

Published

on

taskers axeTHE GOVERNORS of Tasker Milward VC School, Haverfordwest, have been given a stark warning about the improvements required to the struggling secondary school.

A report to Cabinet given by Jake Morgan, Director of Children and Schools set out a difficult future for the school, which faces falling pupil numbers at a time when schools with surplus places face closure.

As The Pembrokeshire Herald revealed in December, Tasker Milward is one of two of our county’s secondary schools that have fallen into Wales’ bottom band of performance.

A withering assessment of the school seen by The Herald states that “The opinion of Estyn following its recent inspection of Tasker Milward VC School is that ‘the school is in need of significant improvement…; as a result, Estyn will monitor the school’s progress. The categorisation of the school by ERW as at December 2013 is ‘Causing Concern’ with ‘unsatisfactory’ Learner Outcomes and Capacity to Improve.”

By contrast the same report states that: “Sir Thomas Picton School is currently judged by ERW to be “Good and Outstanding”.

A formal notice to improve Tasker Milward School was given in November 2013. It states: “If the Governing Body fails to comply with the required actions and improvement is not secured to the Authority’s satisfaction by 31st August 2014, then the Authority will request permission from the Welsh Ministers to constitute the Governing Body as an Interim Executive Board.”

The notice means that unless that the School improves by the start of the next school year, the Board of Governors as currently constituted could be removed and an interim board parachuted in to try and pilot through future improvements.

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

A4075 shut near Bluestone following collision

Published

on

DRIVERS are being urged to avoid the A4075 this evening following a collision near Bluestone.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the road has been closed between Yerbeston and the Bluestone Roundabout while emergency services deal with the incident.

Traffic reports say the closure is affecting both directions between the A4115 and the B4586, with slow traffic in the area.

A police spokesperson said: “The road is currently closed due to a collision. Please avoid the area and find alternative routes for your journey.”

Motorists are advised to allow extra time and use an alternative route where possible.

 

Continue Reading

Climate

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

Published

on

Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions

MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could be at the heart of a new offshore wind boom after Wales’ new energy minister said the sector could drive jobs, investment and coastal regeneration.

Adam Price, the Cabinet Minister for Enterprise, Connectivity and Energy, told the Global Offshore Wind 2026 conference that Wales was “open for business” and ready to work with industry, the UK Government and The Crown Estate.

For Pembrokeshire, the announcement is particularly significant. The Milford Haven Waterway is already being positioned as a key base for floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea, with Pembroke Port earmarked as a major renewables hub. Plans for a dedicated floating offshore wind storage compound at Pembroke Dock have already secured planning permission.

Mr Price said: “I believe that the offshore wind sector has the potential to deliver high quality sustainable career opportunities for people in Wales.

“The offshore wind sector has a key role to play in bringing about the regeneration of coastal communities in both north and south Wales.

“Our role is to remove the blockers faced by the sector — whether in planning, access to finance or infrastructure.”

The Celtic Sea floating wind programme is expected to create major supply chain opportunities for Welsh ports, engineering firms, vessel operators and training providers. Marine Energy Wales has said the first 4.5GW of floating offshore wind in the Celtic Sea could create more than 5,300 jobs during construction.

The Port of Milford Haven has previously said the Haven’s existing energy expertise, heavy engineering base and deep-water port facilities make it well placed to support the industry.

Mr Price also welcomed UK Government support for Port Talbot, but Pembrokeshire businesses will be watching closely to ensure Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock receive a fair share of the investment.

Jessica Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said offshore wind was “Wales’ next big industrial opportunity”, adding that it could be worth almost £5bn to Welsh businesses and deliver more than 3,000 long-term secure jobs.

For Milford Haven, long associated with oil, gas and marine industry, floating offshore wind could mark the next chapter in the Haven’s energy story.

 

Continue Reading

News

Welsh Conservatives call for overseas spending to be redirected to public services

Published

on

Darren Millar says taxpayers’ money should be spent on Welsh priorities, not foreign projects

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has been urged to stop spending taxpayers’ money on overseas projects and instead focus every pound on public services and the Welsh economy.

Darren Millar MS, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said ministers should scrap what he described as costly international schemes and overseas offices, arguing that the money would be better spent on hospitals, roads and businesses in Wales.

The Conservatives have repeatedly criticised Welsh Government spending on international projects, including tree planting in Nigeria, solar-powered canoes in the Amazon, and the maintenance of overseas offices.

Mr Millar said the Welsh Government had no responsibility for foreign policy and should concentrate on devolved priorities.

He said: “At a time when patients are being treated in hospital corridors, our road infrastructure is creaking and businesses are taxed to the hilt, it is simply wrong that Welsh taxpayers’ money is being wasted on overseas vanity projects.

“The first duty of the Welsh Government is to the people it serves. Plaid’s Finance Minister is being evasive over how to fund flagship policies, but could save millions of pounds by scrapping wasteful spending on non-devolved areas.

“Tree-planting schemes in Africa, solar-powered canoe projects in the Amazon and the maintenance of Welsh Government offices in exotic locations around the world, including three in China, represent spending on non-devolved areas, which are the responsibility of the UK Government.

“There’s no such thing as government money, only taxpayers’ money, and we should be able to see how every penny is spent.

“The Welsh Government must prioritise the needs of the people of Wales and focus spending on public services and building a stronger economy.”

 

Continue Reading

Climate3 hours ago

Offshore wind ‘could bring new generation of jobs to Milford Haven’

Pembrokeshire ports and Celtic Sea projects placed at centre of Wales’ green energy ambitions MILFORD HAVEN and Pembroke Dock could...

Community23 hours ago

Police officer hailed hero after midnight sea rescue in Milford Haven

PC swam 100 metres offshore to save distressed woman heard calling for help in darkness A DYFED-POWYS POLICE officer has...

Local Government1 day ago

Security privately arranged by Mayor at Beating of the Bounds

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has confirmed that security personnel seen at this year’s Beating of the Bounds were privately arranged and...

Business2 days ago

Celtic Freeport five-year plan puts Milford Haven at centre of green energy future

Strategy promises investment, skilled jobs and new supply chains, but major barriers remain over grid connections, planning and delivery THE...

Education2 days ago

Closure of Ysgol Clydau approved after emotional council debate

COUNCILLORS WARNED RURAL COMMUNITIES WILL REMEMBER DECISION PEMBROKESHIRE councillors have voted to close Ysgol Clydau following an emotional debate over...

Education2 days ago

Manorbier school closure process to continue after narrow council vote

Questions remain over insurance, rebuilding costs and possible legal action by Diocese PEMBROKESHIRE councillors have voted to press ahead with...

Community2 days ago

The father, son and daughter lifeguard trio saving lives in Pembrokeshire

A FATHER, son and daughter are preparing to help keep beachgoers safe on the Pembrokeshire coast this summer as part...

Community3 days ago

Beating of the Bounds brings music, boats and tradition to Haverfordwest

CENTURIES-OLD CEREMONY DRAWS FAMILIES TO THE RIVERSIDE HAVERFORDWEST’S historic Beating of the Bounds returned on Sunday (Jun 14), with boats,...

Community3 days ago

Milford Haven School pupil praised after stepping in during real-life emergency

A YEAR 11 pupil at Milford Haven School has been praised after putting his first aid training into action to...

Community3 days ago

River festival brings crowds to Haverfordwest

A CELEBRATION of the River Cleddau brought crowds into Haverfordwest on Saturday (June 13) as the town’s River Festival returned...

Popular This Week