Education
Bluestone Resort provides enterprise education programme to Templeton Primary School
PUPILS at a Pembrokeshire primary school are benefiting from the skills and experience of staff from Bluestone National Park Resort.
Bluestone has joined the ‘The Bumbles of Honeywood’ skills programme and taken it to Templeton School near Narberth, close to where the resort is.
Created by Swansea‐based 2B Enterprising Ltd, The Bumbles of Honeywood is a suite of bilingual resources mapped to the national curriculum to help primary schools embed enterprise skills into their day‐to‐day learning.
Employees from Bluestone visited Templeton School to introduce teachers and pupils to the programme, which is in line with Bluestone’s ongoing corporate responsibility programme.
These include the Bluestone Academy, which provides a gateway to a range of careers in the tourism sector for young people through work experience, training, and apprenticeship schemes.
The academy already has strong links with Pembrokeshire schools and colleges and the provision of the Bumbles of Honeywood programme will further strengthen these.
Helen John, Bluestone’s Academy manager, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with 2BEnterprising on this initiative, which we believe has real value for pupils, raising their awareness of ecological issues and nurturing skills that will enable them to become enterprising problem solvers equipped to address the challenges of the world we live in.
“At Bluestone, we put our faith in people, and providing opportunities for young people is a cornerstone of the Bluestone way. We’re excited to be strengthening our links with local schools and making a constructive contribution to the education of the next generation.”
Kevin Phelps, head teacher of Templeton CP School added: “The staff and pupils at Templeton School are delighted to be involved in the ‘Bumbles of Honeywood’ skills programme created 2B Enterprising Ltd and very grateful to Bluestone National Park Resort for providing the programme directly to our school.
“The whole school community of Templeton is behind this initiative and are excited about its many advantages to the educational experiences of our children, in particular the biodiversity and ecological aspect, which is so important to our learners, but also the enterprising and innovation skills involved which may even support their future careers.
“We support our local community and to create a partnership with Bluestone in this way is a perfect way of developing our local business links and to work together for the benefit of all.”
Other corporate responsibility work at Bluestone has driven a strong on‐site focus on
education, with the provision of play‐based learning opportunities in The Hive play centre and its NRG Labs cafe, where children can enjoy playing and learning with science‐based toys.
Other fun educational activities on site including its nature trail and its Outdoor Detectives activities, where children join park rangers for a fun‐filled voyage of discovery through miles of woodland paths, discovering the beasts and bugs that inhabit the park.
Bluestone’s corporate responsibility activities also include innovative waste reduction initiatives, such as recycling water, donating and recycling used furniture and TVs, and ceasing to sell water in plastic bottles, instead enabling staff and visitors to refill reusable bottles from water points throughout the resort.
2BEnterprising CEO, Jayne Brewer, said: “We’re thrilled that Bluestone has chosen to become one of our valued partners by making this valuable contribution to Templeton Primary School as part of our Corporate Engagement Partner Programme.
“Bluestone’s efforts to support biodiversity, reduce waste and educate young people are truly inspirational and we’re proud to join them on this journey. By funding the provision of The Bumbles of Honeywood programme Bluestone is helping to raise awareness of some key ecological issues and helping pupils develop the skills and initiative to tackle these issues, while also preparing them for their future careers.”
A strong drive for biodiversity on site has seen the resort’s 500 acres transformed from pastureland with little ecological activity, into a thriving habitat rich in pollinators, otters, birds and other animals, including rescued hedgehogs, which are rehomed on site.
The resort aligns its activities with those of the Pembrokeshire Nature Recovery Action Plan and the National Recovery Action Plan for Wales, holding regular meetings with the local Nature Recovery Action Plan officer to discuss innovative plans and activities.
The Bumbles of Honeywood programme aligns neatly with these efforts. As Wales’ first bilingual enterprise skills programme for schools, it has been developed by entrepreneurial business leaders and experienced educators with extensive input from teachers. In line with
the Welsh curriculum, the programme has a strong environmental message relating to the plight of the honeybee and aims to nurture enterprise skills in pupils from a young age, equipping them for success in the workplace and in business.
The programme is built around a series of beautifully illustrated books and interactive extension activities that explore the enterprising nature of honeybees and other characters to help children develop skills such as resilience, problem solving, leadership, communication, and teamwork.
Bluestone is making its contribution as part of 2BEnterprising’s Corporate Engagement Partner Programme, which has enabled 2B Enterprising to support dozens of schools, benefiting well over a thousand children to date by providing them learning and development programmes and resources which help them think about their education, training and future life choices much earlier than previously.
The programme gives the corporate partners an impactful way by which to engage with schools in their community, in many cases supporting the children of their own employees in the process.
WELSH GOVERNMENT FACES SCRUTINY OVER AGENCY SPENDING
A RECENT investigation has revealed that 16 out of 22 Welsh councils spent over £78 million on agency staff for supply teachers and teaching assistants during the 2023/24 academic year. The data, obtained through Freedom of Information requests by the Welsh Conservatives, highlights the growing reliance on temporary staff in schools across Wales.
Pembrokeshire County Council spent £1,833,915, according to the data.
The Welsh Conservatives have criticized the Labour-led Welsh Government for not tracking this expenditure and argue that funds would be better invested in recruiting and retaining permanent teaching staff. Shadow Education Secretary Natasha Asghar MS stated, “The staggering costs incurred by councils across Wales on agency staff makes it difficult to see any value for money from the taxpayers’ perspective.”
Challenges in recruitment and retention
An Estyn report from earlier this year underscores the challenges in teacher recruitment and retention, particularly in secondary schools and Welsh-medium education. The report notes a significant decline in the number of applicants for teaching positions, with some schools needing to advertise multiple times to fill vacancies. This shortage has led to situations where staff are teaching outside their areas of expertise, potentially impacting the quality of education.
Government initiatives and responses
In response to these challenges, the Welsh Government has implemented measures to support supply staff and address recruitment issues. A new national framework contract for agency staff was established in September 2023, aiming to enhance professional learning opportunities and employment safeguards for supply teachers .
Additionally, the government has initiated a pilot National Supply Pool in Ynys Môn, allowing supply teachers to be directly employed by local authorities, granting them access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. While this model shows promise, its broader implementation across Wales faces logistical challenges .
Union perspectives
Teaching unions have expressed concerns over the high expenditure on agency staff. A representative from a teaching union described the £78 million spent as a “shocking waste of money,” emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to staffing shortages.
Local authority views
Local councils, responsible for staffing in schools, have defended the use of agency staff as a necessary measure to cover absences and maintain educational continuity. A Cardiff Council spokesperson noted that schools employ agency staff for various reasons, including covering short-term absences and meeting temporary demands during recruitment processes.
Conclusion
The significant expenditure on agency staff highlights the ongoing challenges in teacher recruitment and retention in Wales. While the Welsh Government has taken steps to address these issues, including new frameworks and pilot programs, the effectiveness of these measures remains to be seen. Stakeholders across the education sector continue to call for comprehensive strategies to ensure sustainable staffing and high-quality education for students.
DAMNING REPORT CALLS FOR RADICAL OVERHAUL OF WELSH HIGHER EDUCATION
A BOMBSHELL new report has branded Wales’ university sector as bloated, inefficient, and no longer fit for purpose—accusing it of churning out debt-ridden graduates with degrees that fail to match the needs of the modern economy.
The report, titled The University Industrial Complex and published by the Prydain Centre on Thursday (Apr 10), claims that the eight universities currently operating across Wales have evolved into “credential conveyor belts,” more concerned with racking up tuition fees than providing meaningful education.
In a searing analysis of the state of higher education, the authors argue that mass participation has eroded academic standards, with many students paying tens of thousands of pounds for degrees that leave them underemployed—or unemployed.
The key figures
According to the report, there are over 135,000 students enrolled in Welsh universities—despite Wales having a population of just 3.1 million. The average student debt upon graduation now exceeds £37,000, and one in three graduates finds themselves in non-graduate jobs five to ten years after leaving university.
“This isn’t education—it’s exploitation,” said lead author Chris Harries. “We’ve created a generation weighed down by debt, false promises, and qualifications that offer little in terms of real-world value.”
The paper argues that universities have become “visa mills” reliant on overseas student fees, while whole departments and even campuses are being shuttered due to financial pressures.
A new vision for Welsh higher education
The Prydain Centre proposes a sweeping set of reforms that would see the current eight universities reduced to just three elite institutions—each with a clear and distinct focus:
- Cardiff: a global leader in academic research, STEM and humanities.
- Swansea: a centre for applied sciences and industrial collaboration.
- Aberystwyth and Bangor: hubs for Welsh culture, environmental science and rural leadership.
Student numbers would be halved to around 65,000, with raised entry requirements and targeted support for disciplines linked to national priorities such as engineering, healthcare and technology.
Instead of encouraging mass enrolment, the report champions a shift toward merit-based admission and the reintroduction of rigorous academic standards.
From degrees to digital
In perhaps its boldest proposal, the report calls for the launch of a “Digital Knowledge Hub”—a free or low-cost online platform offering lectures, short courses and learning forums.
Built in partnership with leading universities and ed-tech firms, the hub would be accessible to anyone with an internet connection, enabling lifelong learning without incurring debt.
“Education must be about knowledge, not credentials,” said Harries. “This is not nostalgia for an elitist past. It’s a practical leap toward a fairer, smarter system.”
The case for consolidation
The Prydain Centre argues that maintaining eight institutions spreads resources too thinly and dilutes academic quality. By consolidating funding, the three remaining institutions could become internationally respected centres of excellence.
The estimated £500–600 million annual higher education budget would be more effectively used, the report claims, by reducing duplication and investing in talent, research, and student support.
It also acknowledges that the transition would require careful planning, with phased closures and support for affected staff and students, including relocation options and course transfers.
Calls for Government action
The report urges the Welsh Government to pilot the Digital Knowledge Hub as a first step toward system-wide reform. Ministers are being asked to consider a roadmap for consolidation and entry reform over the next five years.
“Wales has a choice,” the report concludes. “Maintain the failed status quo—or build a higher education system that commands global respect.”
The Welsh Government has been approached for comment.
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has launched a public consultation on its School Transport Policy, inviting residents to share their views as part of a wider review into the future of school transport provision.
The local authority currently provides daily transport to school or college for more than 4,500 eligible learners, at an annual cost of over £8 million.
While no specific changes are being proposed at this stage, the Council says public feedback will help shape future policy. Any changes arising from the review would need to be both deliverable and affordable, taking into account ongoing driver shortages and the wider financial pressures faced by the authority.
Should any amendments be made to the policy, they would come into effect from September 2026.
Residents have until Sunday, May 18, 2025, to complete the survey, which can be accessed online at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say/school-transport-policy-consultation
Paper copies are also available by calling the Council’s Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or by emailing: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
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