News

Answers sought over manipulated school test results

Published

8 years ago

February 1, 2018

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Audit Committee is to seek answers as to why allegations against a former head teacher were ignored.

In September 2015, the new head teacher of Saundersfoot School made allegations that the previous head, Miss Helen Lester, had acted inappropriately by manipulating school test results.

At the time the allegations were ignored by the Council but last year an Education Workforce Council hearing found her guilty of those allegations.

At a meeting of the Audit Committee on Tuesday (Jan 30), Cllr Jacob Williams asked that the Cabinet Member for Education, Director of Education and Head of Human Resources attend a future meeting of the committee to ‘account’ for what happened when the allegations were made.

Cllr Williams also revealed that Miss Lester, after she had left her post, was employed by the Council as a schools advisor.

He described the situation as a ‘disgrace’ adding he thought the council had moved away from ‘cover-ups’.

The East Williamston Councillor has also had parents from his ward with children in Saundersfoot School come to him with a number of other issues.

The effects on the pupils was also mentioned with some having to be downgraded because pupils were found not to be as clever as there ‘manipulated’ test results had shown.

Cllr Williams described it as ‘demoralising’ adding that there were ‘big ramifications’ from the situation.
He said: “What I think is appalling, frankly, is what emerged from the hearing and that was what sparked me to put the question to full council.

“The issue that I am looking at here that I think is of prime importance to the Audit Committee is that Pembrokeshire County Council’s Education department was made aware of the suggestion that the head teacher had been acting inappropriately in September 2015 by the new head teacher Nick Allen who succeeded Helen Lester, the head teacher in question, and ten days after he came into post he made a referral to the council that there had been mal-practice and what he was told there was no need for an inquiry because Miss Lester had left.

“To me that is the real issue and that should never have happened. If there was no evidence submitted with that complaint or there was, you don’t say ‘there is little to be gained from an investigation’ because clearly the suggestion was that the head teacher was acting most inappropriately so that is what I take issue with.

“I asked as a supplementary question whether or not there was a protocol in place for dealing with allegations like this, whether it was followed and who dealt with it at the council.

“Cllr David Lloyd, Cabinet Member for Education said he would provide that information to me after the meeting and he did eventually get back to me after I asked for this to be put on the agenda. His response I found quite disappointing and I don’t think it was at all professional because what he was suggesting was that there was no protocol in place for dealing with allegations of that kind and it wasn’t treated as a whistleblowing matter.

“It doesn’t matter how it has been filed, we know what resulted from this, whatever processes were in place there was surely a way such an allegation should have been dealt with. It wasn’t only not dealt with; he was told forget it about it she’s gone. She was a schools advisor at Pembrokeshire County Council after leaving as a head teacher. This is another cover-up, as recently as 2015.

“At a future meeting we should invite the Director of Education, the Cabinet Member for Education and the Head of Human Resources to come before the committee to account for what happened when those allegations were brought to the authority’s attention.

“Lessons must be learnt, if they have been learnt then please tell us.”

Cllr Williams’ proposal was fully supported by the committee.

Local Government

Clean-up after yacht wrecked on rocks at Lower Town, Fishguard

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT that ran aground on rocks at Lower Town in Fishguard is being cleared by Pembrokeshire County Council after debris washed onto the shoreline.

Council officers attended the scene to assess the situation and begin removing wreckage after the vessel was found stranded among the rocks.

Heavy machinery was brought in to help clear debris from the beach, with workers seen dismantling parts of the damaged yacht and removing material that had scattered along the shoreline.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the incident and has issued a Notice to Mariners, warning of the potential presence of floating debris in the surrounding waters.

The notice advises vessels navigating in the area to exercise caution while clearance work continues.

No further details about how the yacht came to run aground have been released.

Cover pic:

Council workers clear debris from a yacht that ran aground at Lower Town, Fishguard.

Community

Sea Cadets receive grant, donation and celebrate World Book Day

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Local Government

Petition calling for clean rivers policy wins unanimous support at County Hall

Published

12 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PETITION calling for Pembrokeshire County Council to adopt a stronger Clean Rivers Policy has received unanimous support from councillors at County Hall.

The petition, backed by environmental campaigners and community groups, was presented during a meeting of the council on Thursday (Mar 6). Supporters in the public gallery applauded after councillors expressed their backing for the proposals.

The presentation was delivered by James Harrison-Allen, representing The Cleddau Project, a volunteer-led initiative focused on protecting and restoring the River Cleddau and its surrounding environment.

Campaigners said the atmosphere inside the council chamber was “extraordinary”, with councillors from across the political spectrum voicing support for improving river protection measures in Pembrokeshire.

The petition calls for the council to adopt a clearer policy aimed at improving water quality and tackling pollution affecting local rivers.

Supporters say pollution from multiple sources, including agricultural run-off and sewage discharges, has placed increasing pressure on rivers across Wales, including the Eastern and Western Cleddau.

Following the presentation, councillors backed the petition unanimously, prompting applause from members of the public and campaign supporters in attendance.

The campaign has drawn support from a number of environmental organisations including West Wales Rivers Trust, River Action UK, and the Campaign for National Parks.

Representatives from several organisations and public bodies were also acknowledged by campaigners, including Natural Resources Wales, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, as well as local political representatives Henry Tufnell MP, Samuel Kurtz MS, and Paul Davies MS.

Campaigners say the decision marks an important step in raising awareness of river pollution issues affecting the Cleddau catchment and wider waterways across Pembrokeshire.

The Cleddau Project said the outcome was “a great day for the Cleddau” and praised the work of volunteers and supporters who have helped drive the campaign forward.