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.

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

10 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

10 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

Published

11 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).