Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Education Minister announces ‘back to school’ plans for September

Published

on

DECISION backed with £29 million to recruit, recover and raise standards

The Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, has today confirmed that all pupils will be able to return to school in September.

“plan to open in September with 100% of pupils physically present on school sites, subject to a continuing, steady decline in the presence of COVID-19 in the community.”

The Minister announced that:

  • Schools will return to full capacity, with only limited social distancing within
    contact groups.
  • At full operations, a contact group should consist of around 30 children. Some direct or indirect mixing between children in different contact groups will also be unavoidable, such as on transport, receiving specialist teaching or due to staffing constraints.
  • Social distancing for adults should remain in line with regulations and guidance.
    Schools will be required to minimise the risk of transmission by taking other mitigating measures using the hierarchy of risk controls.
  • Every school should continue to be “Covid Protected” – having carried out risk assessments and mitigated them with a combination of controls such as hand and surface hygiene, one-way systems and so forth.
  • If early warning information shows a local incident or outbreak then nearby schools should implement appropriate restriction measures.
  • Each school will be provided with a supply of home testing kits.

The Minister confirmed that the autumn term will start on 1 st  September and schools that can accommodate all pupils from the start of the term should do so.

The Minister outlined plans just hours after confirming the Welsh Government would make £29m available to ‘recruit, recover and raise standards’ in Welsh schools in response to the impact still felt from the pandemic.

Commenting on the additional funding announced, the Minister added: “We will recruit, recover and continue to raise standards.”

It is thought that there will be around 800 newly qualified teachers in September and around 800 supply staff currently working within Wales.

“With this funding, we will recruit the equivalent of 600 extra teachers and 300 teaching assistants throughout the next school year.

“We will target extra support at Years 11, 12 and 13, as well as disadvantaged and vulnerable learners of all ages.

“The support package, provided at a school level, could include extra coaching support, personalised learning programmes and additional time and resources for exam year pupils.

“We must never lower our expectations for any of our young people, no matter their background.

“Together, we will continue to raise standards for all, reduce the attainment gap and ensure we have a system that is a source of pride and public confidence.”

Councillor Ian Roberts, WLGA Spokesperson for Education, said: “Since schools closed at the start of the crisis, many children and young people have felt anxious about loss of learning and not being able to see their friends.

The Minister’s plan today will enable schools to safely reopen classrooms from September. Local authorities will work closely with their schools to make sure that necessary arrangements are in place to abide by Welsh Government guidance.

“Our schools have been hit by severe disruption during this pandemic, and we welcome the £29m pledged by the Minister for targeted support to minimise the effects of the past few months on pupils.

We will continue to work together in partnership the safest and best possible learning experiences for our children and young people, especially in such challenging circumstances.”

 

Community

Homeless people in Pembrokeshire at risk as heatwave continues

Published

on

HOMELESS people in Pembrokeshire are being offered extra support as Wales continues to face extreme heat.

The Wallich, which runs rough sleeping outreach and drop-in support in Haverfordwest, said people sleeping rough, living in cars, or staying in poor quality temporary accommodation are among those most at risk during the heatwave.

Outreach teams are helping people stay safe by offering water, sun cream, hats, wet wipes and other essentials.

Jamie-Lee Cole, Strategic Communications Lead for The Wallich, said: “People on the streets and living in poor quality or temporary housing are the most affected by climate change.

“They are the most exposed to extreme weather events like a heatwave, as well as heavy rain and cold in the winter.”

The charity said it is also offering advice on dehydration, sunstroke, worsening health conditions, wounds, and the added risks of drug and alcohol use during hot weather.

People are being encouraged to use cooler public spaces, such as libraries and support centres, during the hottest parts of the day.

The Wallich said some councils in Wales have activated Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, but called for all local authorities to include specific heatwave plans.

Ms Cole added: “It’s a sign of the times unfortunately that extreme heat will feature year on year, and we must make sure there are adequate and cool daytime spaces for people experiencing homelessness to access.”

The charity is also supporting people sleeping in cars, warning that vehicles can become dangerously hot.

Members of the public in Pembrokeshire are being urged to check on anyone they are worried about.

Ms Cole said: “If someone looks unwell and you feel safe to approach them, ask if they’re okay.

“Encourage them to move into shade or a cooler space. Alert emergency services if you think someone needs help in the heat.

“Offer people experiencing homelessness a cold drink and a chat, just like you would anyone else in your community.”

 

Continue Reading

Community

Local engineering student wins £5,000 South Hook scholarship

Published

on

A FORMER Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi pupil has been awarded a £5,000 scholarship by South Hook LNG.

Henry Raymond, who is in the second year of a five-year Chemical and Environmental Engineering degree at the University of Nottingham, is the latest recipient of the company’s annual scholarship award.

South Hook said Henry had shown strong academic performance, a clear work ethic, and a keen interest in the role of engineering within the energy sector.

The scholarship is aimed at supporting local students as they progress in higher education, particularly in engineering, science and business-related subjects.

Applicants are assessed through a written application and an informal interview, with the award forming part of South Hook LNG’s wider commitment to supporting education and young people in the local area.

Henry was invited to South Hook earlier this year, where he was presented with a certificate and the £5,000 award. The funding will help with student costs over the remainder of his studies.

Henry said: “I’m very grateful to South Hook to have received this award. The financial support will make a huge difference to life as a student, and it’s incredible to have this kind of backing from a major player in the energy industry.”

South Hook LNG’s General Manager, Hamad Al Samra said: “We are pleased to have once again received applications from so many committed and capable young people.

“The team involved in the selection process at South Hook were particularly impressed by Henry’s dedication and commitment to his chosen subject.

“We are pleased to offer our support and wish him the very best in his future studies.”

South Hook LNG’s Scholarship Programme encourages applications from local students seeking higher education in engineering, science or business-related disciplines.

Details of how to apply for the 2026/27 award will be available on the company’s website during September.

Scholarship success: Henry Raymond, South Hook LNG’s 2026 scholarship recipient, with members of the South Hook team involved in assessing the applications.

 

Continue Reading

News

Heroes used hammers to free passengers after X11 bus overturned near Kidwelly

Published

on

NINETEEN people were injured after a bus overturned near Kidwelly, sparking a major emergency response and leaving witnesses describing the scene as “like a warzone”.

The X11 service crashed on the A484 near the Parc y Bocs roundabout at around 12:20pm on Tuesday (Jun 23).

Six people were taken to hospital and 13 others were treated and discharged at the scene. Dyfed-Powys Police said none of the injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Dean and Martyn who were in a van travelling behind the bus, immediately started to help following the accident

A major incident was declared, with police, fire crews, ambulance teams and two Wales Air Ambulance helicopters sent to the scene. The incident was later stood down at around 5:30pm.

Among the first to help were Martyn Pope, from Ferryside, and Dean Hollands, from Mynydd y Garreg, who were travelling behind the bus in a van.

The pair, who work at Bryn Illtud and Erw Hir care homes, grabbed hammers from their vehicle and rushed into the field to help trapped passengers.

Mr Pope said: “As we came around the corner the coach was in the field.

“We’ve got tools in the back of the van so we grabbed a couple of hammers and dashed down onto the field.

“People were crying and screaming.”

Mr Hollands said adrenaline took over as they began breaking through the bus to reach those inside.

He said one woman was lying on broken glass because the vehicle had come to rest on its side.

“Martyn went to the front, I went to the back, pulled one old lady out and an old chap. Then me and Martyn took the doors out,” he said.

They also helped a man with a baby and a dog escape from the bus.

Inside the vehicle, food shopping, debris and disabled walkers were scattered across the smashed windows, making the rescue even more difficult.

Mr Pope said passengers had suffered cuts, head injuries, dislocations and broken bones, while many were badly shaken.

The men later discovered that one of the elderly women they helped was the mother of a colleague from the care home. She had suffered broken ribs and a broken hip.

A rest centre was set up at the John Burns Centre, where welfare arrangements were made for those involved.

Hywel Dda University Health Board warned at the time that A&E waiting times were likely to be longer as hospitals dealt with those most in need.

One passenger, 17-year-old Connor Morgan Smith, had been travelling to Swansea to meet friends.

His mother, Sally-Ann Morgan Smith, said she received a call from him at 1:50pm.

She said: “From what he told me, a car overtook a bike and the bus braked hard. The bus was juddering and then it hit the verge and went over.”

She described the journey to reach her son as “the longest journey ever”.

“He might be 17, but he’s still my baby,” she said.

Connor was taken to Glangwili Hospital after his pulse became very high. He was later said to be shaken but recovering, with a bad knee, a bad arm and aches across his body.

His mother said she was “100% proud” of him after he activated the emergency exit shortly after the crash.

Local farmer Jacko Thomas, who rents the field where the bus overturned, said he had been due to mow there that day.

He helped move injured passengers away from the scene using his pickup and John Deere farm buggy.

He said: “The bus was on its side and bodies were everywhere. I was gobsmacked. Honest to God, I was just going to go mow that field.”

Mr Thomas said he had long feared a serious crash on that stretch of road.

“The roads aren’t fit for purpose,” he said.

“They’re not wide enough for buses or lorries.”

Dyfed-Powys Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

 

Continue Reading

News2 hours ago

Coastguard callout payments axe sparks fears for coastal communities

VOLUNTEER coastguards across the UK are set to lose callout payments, prompting concern over the future resilience of emergency cover...

Farming4 hours ago

Rural Wales ‘left out’ of net zero debate, warns carbon entrepreneur

A WELSH carbon entrepreneur has warned that rural Wales risks being left behind in the national conversation about net zero....

Local Government18 hours ago

Tenby Spectacular row continues as organisers say key question remains unanswered

Round Table says legal clarity over pedestrian access is still holding up event plan TENBY ROUND TABLE has welcomed Pembrokeshire...

Community2 days ago

Manorbier fire scandal: Council’s payout just £63,777 after school destroyed

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has accepted an insurance settlement which leaves it with just £63,777.07 after the catastrophic fire which destroyed...

News2 days ago

Bus overturns in major incident near Kidwelly

All passengers rescued as emergency services remain at scene A BUS overturned on the A484 between Kidwelly and Ferryside on...

Community3 days ago

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced...

News3 days ago

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland. Dyfed-Powys Police said the...

News3 days ago

Rhun ap Iorwerth urges new deal for Wales after Starmer quits

First Minister says next Prime Minister must focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for Wales’ democratic mandate FIRST...

News3 days ago

How Labour’s landslide victory unravelled in just two years

Prime Minister announces resignation after losing support within his own party as Andy Burnham emerges as overwhelming favourite to take...

News4 days ago

Long Course Weekend set to bring thousands to Pembrokeshire

Three days of swimming, cycling and running will once again transform Tenby into one of the UK’s biggest endurance sporting...

Popular This Week