Education

£1.3m spent to cut class sizes

Published

8 years ago

May 2, 2018

Class sizes are a concern: Kirsty Williams

SCHOOLS across Wales are to benefit from 80 new teachers as a result of a £36 million fund to reduce infant class sizes, Education Secretary Kirsty Williams has announced.

£1.3m of the fund, which was announced in January 2017, has been used to recruit the teachers.

When the Welsh Government announced the £36m fund last year, it said that the fund would make “a real difference” to class sizes.

The new teachers will be appointed to schools which have large infant class sizes and also have high levels of deprivation, special education needs and/or where teaching and learning need to improve.

The new teachers will help to create smaller infant classes, so a school which currently has two infant classes of 29 or more pupils could instead have three smaller more manageable infant classes.

The Welsh Government hopes that the scheme will improve both the quantity and quality of the time that teachers spend with their pupils, while also helping to reduce teachers’ workload.

The £36m fund comprises of £16m of revenue which allows local authorities to recruit the extra teachers, and £20m of capital which allows local authorities to build the additional classrooms and learning space needed to further reduce class sizes.

All local authorities in Wales will benefit from extra teachers after submitting bids for the revenue element of the grant, which amounts to £1.3m in 2017/18. Bids for capital element of the grant will be approved shortly.

The Education Secretary yesterday visited pupils in the nursery class at Awel y Môr Primary School in Port Talbot who will, as of this September, benefit from an extra teacher when they move into Reception.

Awel y Môr is a prime candidate for the funding, having above national average levels of both free school meals and SEN.

Kirsty Williams said: “Time and again, teachers and parents tell me that class sizes are a concern. That’s why one of my first actions as Cabinet Secretary was to announce this £36m fund.

“International research and evidence tells us there is a positive connection between smaller class sizes and attainment, particularly for our youngest pupils from poorer backgrounds.

“Additional teachers at schools like Awel y Môr will be able to devote more time and individual attention to each of their pupils.

“That’s good news not only for the pupil and the teacher but the school’s ability to improve as a whole; smaller class sizes are crucial for both improved attainment in those early years of education and helping teachers to manage their workload.

“When seen in the context of broader reforms we’re making such as reducing unnecessary bureaucracy and strengthened initial teacher training and professional development, this will also make a real difference in giving teachers the time to teach and learners the space to learn.

“This is central to our mission to raise standards, reduce the attainment gap and deliver an education system which is a source of national pride and confidence.

Sam Greasley, Headteacher of Awel y Môr Primary School said: “This new fund will have a genuine impact on Pupil Standards. Securing smaller class sizes enables us as teachers to work more closely with individual children.

“We set high expectations for all pupils but acknowledge that pupils need differentiated levels of support, which is more achievable in smaller classes.”

Shadow Education Secretary, Darren Millar, said: “When so many schools are laying off staff and struggling to balance the books, you have to question whether this is the right approach.

“Smaller class sizes require extra classrooms, which in turn demands more teachers – and yet Welsh education is in the midst of a deepening teacher recruitment crisis.

“Despite the Cabinet Secretary’s soaring rhetoric, it’s becoming clear that this fund isn’t going to make any meaningful impression on class sizes.

“It would be better to distribute the money to local education authorities to enable them to ease the funding pressures in our schools, help close the pupil funding gap between England and Wales, and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.”

Education

Prendergast School achieves gold award for Armed Forces support

Published

5 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Top honour recognises commitment to Service children and families

PRENDERGAST CP School in Haverfordwest has been awarded the highest possible recognition for its support of Armed Forces families.

The school has secured Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing work to support pupils from Service backgrounds.

Headteacher Louise John said the achievement reflects a strong, whole-school commitment to ensuring Service children feel supported and able to succeed.

She said: “We are committed to ensuring Service pupils feel welcomed, understood and able to thrive.

“We recognise the unique experiences of children from Service families and have worked hard to embed that understanding across the school.

“Our approach focuses on early identification, strong communication with families, and consistent pastoral support.

“Achieving Gold status recognises the dedication of our staff and the inclusive practices already in place, while reinforcing our ongoing commitment to supporting Service children’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, and educational success.”

The Gold award, delivered through Supporting Service Children in Education Cymru (SSCE Cymru), requires schools to demonstrate strong and sustained support for Service children. This includes creating a positive environment where pupils can share their experiences and strengthening links with the wider Armed Forces community.

Prendergast CP School previously achieved both Bronze and Silver awards before progressing to the top level.

Cllr Simon Hancock, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion, praised the achievement.

He said: “I would like to congratulate Prendergast School on achieving the coveted Gold Armed Forces Friendly School Cymru status.

“From my visits, it is clear the school actively engages with the Armed Forces community and provides a positive and supportive environment for Service children.”

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, added: “This is fantastic recognition of the ongoing work at Prendergast School.

“It highlights the importance of supporting Armed Forces families and sets a strong example of best practice. Well done to everyone involved.”

Education

4 Essential Cyber Security Tips to Protect Your Data

Published

10 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Staff Writer

Protecting your personal data and financial information is crucial. With scammers and hijackers getting more and more sophisticated, you need to implement proper cyber security systems in order to keep yourself protected.

With that in mind, here are four cybersecurity tips to help you stay safe online.

Use Strong Passwords

A strong password is a basic security essential. A password that’s difficult to guess makes it harder for unauthorised users to gain access.

When creating a password, consider these guidelines:

Length – the longer the better, as there’s more opportunity to get it wrong
Character variation – use a combination of upper and lower case, symbols, and numbers
Avoid personal information – birthdays or other important dates, names, streets etc.
Keep passwords unique – don’t use the same password on different sites

It’s also a good idea to set up two-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of security, should your password be compromised.

Most people use simple passwords so they’re easy to remember, but this can be risky. If you struggle to remember complex passwords, consider using a password manager such as NordPass to securely store your passwords.

Remain Vigilant

It’s important to remain vigilant of scams or phishing attempts. They usually come through as emails or text messages and there are a few clear signs of malicious intent:

Misspellings – particularly in the email address itself
Pressure to take action – scammers often aim to create a sense or urgency to get you to take action without thinking
Asking for sensitive information – legitimate companies don’t typically ask for passwords or financial details via text or email. Never give personal information away without verifying the legitimacy of the site and the correspondence
Suspicious links – don’t click links that you’re unsure of or ones where the URL destination is completely different to the hyperlinked text (you can hover over links without clicking to see this)

Keep Your Software Up to Date

Keeping your software up-to-date ensures that you remain protected. Software updates are often designed to bridge security gaps and protect against new threats, plus new systems are typically better equipped to resist malware. Consider turning on automatic updates so you don’t miss any.

Remove Malware Immediately

If you notice that your device is slower than usual, apps that you don’t recognise have been installed, or pop-up ads are appearing everywhere, you may have malware on your device.

It’s important to run a scan to detect malware if you suspect your device has been affected, and remove it promptly. There is plenty of step-by-step help out there that can help you remove malware from your device.

Safeguard Your Data

By using strong passwords, remaining vigilant of scams and phishing attempts, keeping your software and devices up to date, and removing malware as soon as possible, you can help ensure your personal and financial information remains secure.

Education

Milford Haven school plans unveiled but funding not yet secured

Published

1 day ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLANS for a new £100 million school in Milford Haven have been unveiled, but the project has not yet secured full approval and remains subject to further funding decisions.

Pembrokeshire County Council this week released details of the proposed development, alongside a professionally produced video featuring First Minister Eluned Morgan, senior council figures and school leaders outlining the vision for a modern, state-of-the-art school.

The announcement comes just seven weeks before the Senedd election.

The proposed scheme would see the development of a new, purpose-built school designed to provide modern learning environments for pupils across Milford Haven and the surrounding area. Plans include specialist teaching facilities, improved accessibility throughout the site, and enhanced outdoor learning and play areas.

Council officials say the project will also place a strong emphasis on sustainability, incorporating energy-efficient systems and modern building standards aimed at reducing long-term environmental impact and running costs.

Outline stage only

Despite the high-profile launch, the project is currently at Strategic Outline Case (SOC) stage — an early stage in the public sector approval process.

SOC approval means the scheme has been accepted in principle, but key elements — including final costs, detailed design and overall value for money — have not yet been fully assessed.

Crucially, no final funding commitment has yet been made.

Before the project can proceed to construction, it must pass through the full business case (FBC) process. This stage requires detailed financial modelling, technical planning and formal sign-off from funding bodies, including the Welsh Government.

Only if that process is successfully completed will funding be formally approved and delivery authorised.

Political and funding context

Major school developments in Wales are typically delivered through joint funding arrangements between local authorities and the Welsh Government, often under long-term investment programmes aimed at modernising the education estate.

While both council leaders and Welsh Government representatives have expressed support for the Milford Haven project, schemes at SOC stage can still be subject to revision, delay or, in some cases, may not proceed if funding or value-for-money criteria are not met.

Large infrastructure announcements are often made at this stage to outline ambition and begin public engagement, ahead of final decisions on funding and delivery.

Long-running campaign

Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education, said he had been working towards securing a new school for several years.

He said: “I have been Cabinet Member for Education since 2019 and I have been fighting for a new school for Milford all that time.

“This project represents a major investment in our children’s future and will provide a safe, modern and inclusive environment where pupils can thrive.”

The Welsh Government has also welcomed the plans, describing them as part of its wider programme to improve school facilities across Wales.

Community involvement

The council has confirmed that the next phase of the project will involve consultation and engagement with pupils, staff, parents and local residents.

This process is expected to help shape the detailed design of the school before a full business case is submitted.

Not yet a confirmed build

While the plans have been presented as a significant step forward for education in Milford Haven, the project remains a proposal rather than a confirmed construction scheme.

At this stage, timelines for delivery have not been finalised, and progression will depend on the outcome of the business case process and the availability of funding.

For now, the new school remains an ambition backed in principle — but not yet a guaranteed build.

Cover image:

Delighted with announcement: First Minister, Eluned Morgan MS