News

Pembroke: Estyn report slams Henry Tudor School

Published

7 years ago

January 24, 2019

A BRAND new Pembrokeshire school, which had been open for just ten weeks at the time of inspection in November 2018, is in need of serious and urgent improvement.

The £38.3m Henry Tudor School secondary school needs to raise standards, particularly in key stage 4 and the sixth form, improve pupil attendance and behaviour, and improve the quality of teaching and assessment. The school also needs to strengthen the effectiveness and accountability of the management of the school at all levels.

Estyn, the education and training inspectorate for Wales, said in its latest report: “In accordance with the Education Act 2005, HMCI is of the opinion that this school is in need of significant improvement. The school will draw up an action plan to show how it is going to address the recommendations. Estyn will monitor the school’s progress about 12 months after the publication of this report.”

The school was inspected in five areas of service provision, and under ‘standards’, ‘wellbeing and attitudes to learning’ and ‘care, support and guidance’ the school scored ‘unsatisfactory and in need of urgent improvement’. In the two areas, ‘teaching and learning experience’ and ‘leadership and management’ the school attained ‘adequate but needs improvement’

A spokesperson for the council hit back highlighting the positives in the report, saying: “Positive features from the report include the fact that Henry Tudor School provides a caring and supportive environment which has a positive impact on the majority of pupils.

“Most pupils behave well around the school, enjoy their lessons and are positive about learning. They work independently, engage well in activities, make useful contributions in class and at least suitable progress in lessons. Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is comprehensive and well organised and overall, they make suitable progress over time.

“The report says many pupils feel the school listens to their views and makes changes as a result, and most teachers have secure subject knowledge and many foster productive working relationships with their pupils.

“Many teachers provide good language models, communicate clearly, and establish effective routines to ensure pupils settle quickly and are ready to learn.

“At key stage 4, school leaders plan the curriculum effectively to meet pupils’ educational needs and aspirations, and the school provides a wide range of valuable opportunities to enhance the curriculum.

“Others positives include daily mentor sessions, which are described as beneficial, and the fact that many teachers and school staff engage purposefully with professional learning opportunities. The appointment of the new Head teacher was a ‘catalyst for change’ and there is a clear vision of high expectations for standards and behaviour.

“The report also includes a summary of areas to significantly and rapidly improve. It says there has been a sharp downward trend in the school’s performance at key stage 4 over the past four years, that a minority of pupils do not concentrate well in lessons and the behaviour of a few pupils causes significant disruption in lessons and has a negative impact on other pupils’ progress.

The report adds that a minority of pupils do not feel safe in school, and a few say that they experience bullying. Attendance does not compare well to that in similar schools.

It also says that in the majority of cases, teachers do not plan lessons sufficiently well to enable pupils to make strong progress and in general, the quality of teachers’ written feedback to pupils is too variable.

Other areas to improve include self-evaluation and improvement planning work and the professional learning support for middle leaders.

Mrs Fiona Kite, Headteacher of Henry Tudor School since September 2017, said governors and staff are working hard to address the recommendations in the report, and to ensure that the school is rated at least good by Estyn in the future.

“We look forward to welcoming them back for a monitoring visit in 12 to 18 months’ time, and to show them the impact of the range of new initiatives which have already been implemented at the school,” said Mrs Kite.

“We are very proud of our pupils and all of their many academic, creative and sporting achievements.”

A worrying paragraph in the report states: “A minority of pupils do not concentrate well in lessons and do not contribute to class discussions.

“The behaviour of a few pupils causes significant disruption in lessons and impacts negatively on other pupils’ progress.

“A very few pupils are disrespectful and defiant towards staff and do not show appropriate respect and care for others. A minority of pupils do not feel safe in school and a very few pupils reported that aggressive behaviour by a few pupils is common during break times. A few pupils say that they experience bullying and a minority feel that the school does not deal effectively with this.

“The rates of both fixed term and permanent exclusion are too high. Although attendance has improved marginally over the last three years, it remains significantly below that in similar schools. However, rates of persistent absence have declined during the last two years. “

Community

Firefighter experience days planned in Haverfordwest and Newtown

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

News

Local Windsurf instructors ride the waves with Welsh Sailing Impact awards

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors.

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.”

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”

News

Plaid tells Carmarthenshire voters: ‘Only we can stop Reform’

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.