Education
Permanent head for Ysgol Dewi Sant

UNDER threat local community school, Ysgol Dewi Sant (St David’s School), this week appointed a permanent Head Teacher, Mr David Haynes. He had previously been acting Head at the school
The appointment follows months of uncertainty at the school.
In a report earlier this year, ESTYN assessed the school as having an overall performance rated merely adequate and also stated their prospects for improvement as also being just adequate.
They deemed the school’s leadership and management as unsatisfactory and expressed concern that middle leaders of the school had not had enough impact on improving the quality of provision and raising standards in their areas of responsibility.
They also criticised lines of accountability, stating that they were unclear, and that line management arrangements lacked vigour and consistency in holding these middle leaders to account.
That report was in stark contrast to the finding of the Real Schools Guide, published in September, which placed Ysgol Dewi Sant as Pembrokeshire’s best achieving secondary school.
Speaking with The Herald, David Lloyd, School Governor and local County Councillor, discussed the positive aspects to arise from the appointment of a new Head Teacher.
“It is an interesting and uncertain period for education in Pembrokeshire. The local authority was reluctant for us to appoint a head on the basis it (the school) may be closed. Therefore, the governors had to appoint a head without the blessing of the local authority.#
‘’We have been careful not to reject their advice but always working with what is best for the school. ESTYN have objected to too many temporary acting Heads in Pembrokeshire.”
He went on to point out that such acting Heads did, in ESTYN’s opinion, undermine the leadership of a school, and that the school, therefore, faced the paradoxical position of being rated only adequate/unsatisfactory in leadership but with the local authority asking for the school not to appoint.
He continued: “This is an impossible situation, making the school vulnerable. I’m happy to say that the new incoming director of education (for Pembrokeshire County Council) gave us their blessing to appoint, and we are happy with the working relationship we now have with the local authority.”
On the issue of the school maintaining its current status Mr Lloyd said: “We are quietly confident that all the hard work will ultimately succeed in retaining a secondary school in St David’s. We are happy to appoint a Head Teacher to consolidate our efforts to keep the school and we are very happy to work with the new team at the County Council. We accept their decision will be evidence based”.
Mayor Glenys James spoke to The Herald saying: “We are delighted to have Mr Haynes. People are more comfortable now that we have a Head. He has addressed the (City) Council and given us a précis of what is being put into place. We also took the councillors around the school for them to see what is going on.”
On potential closure to the school she continued: “The fear is with us until we know (the result of any closures). If you take the school, you take the community, and there is the link with The Cathedral and the St David’s choir.
‘’This school is working well, now, and is full to capacity. We will wait for the review and see what happens from there. We would be devastated if the school closed. We are a community working closely with the school”.
Speaking on behalf of the County Council, and of the continued worry by the school as to what their fate might be, a spokesperson said: “The review of secondary education in the St. Davids area is part of a wider review of secondary provision in Pembrokeshire. The St Davids review is due to be completed in November.
‘’Members have been assured that no decisions regarding school closures or mergers have been taken. Closures and mergers are just two of a number of strategies for consideration once recommendations have been presented.’’
The four principles underpinning the process of developing and implementing school organization proposals are:
* Quality and future sustainability of educational provision;
* Sufficiency and accessibility of school places;
* The condition, suitability and standard of school buildings;
* Value for money.
The prime focus is currently on secondary schools due to the estimated projected 2,000 surplus places in the future. The review of secondary provision will significantly inform recommendations as to how these challenges can be addressed.
In a recent meeting of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee, the shared Head of School Effectiveness, Alan Walters, stated that while school performance at primary level was mostly positive, performance within secondary schools was disappointing and a cause for concern.
The judgment was made following consideration of national and regional results of Estyn inspections.
Education
Supported employment learners take off on airport adventure

A GROUP from the Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme (PSEP) enjoyed a memorable day out at Haverfordwest Airport this week as part of their continued education activities.
The visit gave learners the opportunity to explore a wide variety of aircraft and gain hands-on experience with the airport’s emergency services. Highlights of the day included sitting inside a fire truck and trying on some of the firefighter uniform.

The group said they particularly enjoyed learning new facts about aviation and seeing planes up close in real life – a first for many. The trip helped build independent learning skills and teamwork in a fun and engaging environment.
A spokesperson for the team said: “Everyone had a great day! It was an exciting and educational experience for all involved. Thank you to Haverfordwest Airport for allowing us to visit the site.”
PSEP, supported by Norman Industries, continues to offer valuable opportunities for people with disabilities in Pembrokeshire to gain life skills, explore new interests, and build confidence.
Photo caption: Taking flight: Learners from the supported employment programme enjoyed their day at Haverfordwest Airport (Pic: PSEP).
Education
County’s musical talents celebrated at annual music festival

PEMBROKESHIRE MUSIC SERVICE welcomed pupils from across the county to share their musical talents with a delighted audience at the Primary Valero Music Festival.
The overall winner of the festival, held at Ysgol Caer Elen on March 22nd, was Ysgol Bro Penfro pupil Wolfgang Evans on the piano, with his rendition of “Jackson Street Blues” by Martha Mier.
Wolfgang was also winner of the Open Brass class, performing “Rondino” by Allan Street on trumpet.
In the morning the children performed in the Open Classes and in the afternoon the audience enjoyed the Spotlight Concert that featured performances winners:
Open woodwind – Saxophonist Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands, who played “Bye Bye Blackbird by Ray Henderson
Open Strings – violinist Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot School, who played “Gavotte” by Couperin.
Open Drums – Ifan Murphy, Ysgol Caer Elen, who played “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
Saundersfoot CP School’s orchestra won the Ensemble category but sadly could not perform in the afternoon due to a variety of commitments. Earlier in the day they performed “Drive Time” by Jock McKenzie.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Congratulations to our dedicated primary pupils for their wonderful performances at the music festival. Their hard work and dedication shone through in a truly inclusive and supportive atmosphere, where every child was celebrated.
“It was a fantastic showcase of music and teamwork supported by dedicated tutors, parents and carers.”
Karin Jenkins, who adjudicated the strings classes, echoed Philippa’s sentiments, and added: “How amazing today’s music festival was for Pembrokeshire’s primary pupils. It was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in musical talent and I loved every moment. Everyone seemed to be having such a great time performing, and their energy was fantastic.”
Pembrokeshire Music Service Primary Valero Music Festival 2025 Results:
Woodwind
Initial Grade flute:
1st – Lyra Constable, Spittal
2nd – Maisie Parkin, St Oswalds
3rd – Lara Morgan, Wolfscastle
Initial Grade clarinet & saxophone:
1st – Maya Cunliffe, Cleddau Reach
2nd – Ellis Roberts, Bro Ingli
3rd – Lois Morgan, Wolfscastle
Grade 1:
1st – Mia John, Mary Immaculate
2nd – Ethan Stoney, Prendergast
3rd – Iolo Thomas, Bro Ingli
Grade 2:
1st – Eva Evans, St Aidans
2nd – Paige Youngs, Johnston
3rd – Phoebe Rees, Coastlands & Skyla Fletcher, Johnston
Open:
1st – Autumn Sheppard, Coastlands
2nd – Osian Kite, Roch
3rd – Hattie Phillips, MHCPS
Brass:
Initial Grade:
1st – Sam Triggs, Llandudoch
2nd – Wilf Davies, Llanychllwydog & Leila Mundy-Kearns, Llandudoch
3rd – Jaxon Price, PDCS
Lower Brass Grade 1:
1st – Phoebe Jones, Hafan y mor
2nd – Gwennan Davies, Bro Preseli
3rd – Eliana Barder, Hafan y mor
HC – Alfie Chester, Cleddau Reach & Molly Thomas, St Teilos
Trumpet & Cornet Grade 1:
1st – Noah Lewis, Wdig
2nd – Llion Davies, Bro Preseli
3rd – Penny de Wreede, Roch
HC – Olivia Conroy-Thornberry, Johnston & Chester Price, Tenby VC
Grade 2:
1st – Isaac Phillips, Saundersfoot
2nd – Edward Skidmore, St Teilos
3rd – TJ Stewart, Glannau Gwaun
Open:
1st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro
2nd – Carys Meiring, Hafan y mor
3rd – Ella-May Kirby, MHCPS
HC – Mali McFarlane, Caer Elen & Iolo Simms, Caer Elen
Strings
Initial grade:
1st – Archie Hayden, Redhill
2nd – Sara Thomas, Bro Preseli
3rd – Tillie Ward, Bro Preseli
HC – Phoebe Harries, St Oswalds, Nia Owen, Ger y Llan, Maisie Gray, Ger y Llan, Poppy Armstrong
Grade 1:
1st – Esme Phillips, Penrhyn Dewi
2nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran
3rd – Rebecca Lowe, Caer Elen
HC – Huw Tamplin – Narberth, Efa Britton – Johnston, Suki Heulwen – Bro Penfro, Gracie Jones – Waldo Williams, Patsi Reynolds – Caer Elen, Ashley Cristabel – Prendergast, Aled Hooper – Caer Elen, Saskia Winton – Narberth, Maisie Torok -St Oswalds & Harper Wallis – Hafan y mor
Open:
1st – Denisa Rusu, Saundersfoot
2nd – Alice Ng, Caer Elen & Leila Powell
3rd – Elsa Rae Gibbons, Caer Elen & Fred Powell
HC – Harrison Sheppard, Caer Elen & Bella Raymond, Caer Elen
Piano & Harp
Initial grade piano:
1st – Harry Brace, Penrhyn
2nd – Efa Harries, Penrhyn Dewi
3rd – Maiya Cunliffe, Redhill
HC – Dougie Nevinson, Lamphey
Grade 1 piano:
1st – Carys Callan, Redhill
2nd – River Regelous, Penrhyn
3rd – Evelyn James, Tavernspite
HC – Michael Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen & Elodie Voaden, Tavernspite
Grade 1 Harp:
1st – Efa John, Maenclochog
2nd – Haf Evans, Cilgerran
3rd – Ruby Robinson, Caer Elen & Bella Grove, Maenclochog
HC – Delun Hancock-Phillips, Caer Elen
Grade 2 piano:
1st – Harry Hayden, Redhill
2nd – Emily Thomas-Ward, Redhill
3rd – Ella Schwierzi, Nant y Cwm
HC – Seth Morris, Croesgoch
Grade 2 harp:
1st – Elen Davies, Bro Preseli
2nd – Olivia Davies, Caer Elen
3rd – Ffion Fenrick, Cilgerran
HC – Ethan Dunkeld, Cilgerran
Open piano & harp:
1st – Wolfgang Evans, Bro Penfro
2nd – Eva Evans, St Aidans
3rd – Gethin Wade, Maenclochog
HC – Cadi Haf Marshall-Jones, Bro Preseli
Percussion
Initial Grade:
1st – Luca Rebiga, Saundersfoot
2nd – Harper Wolverson, St Florence
3rd – Dylan Chan, Saundersfoot & Madi Wright, Saundersfoot
Grade 1:
1st – Sadie Neuman, Roch
2nd – Felix Livock, Tenby VC
3rd – Alfie Hughes, Tenby VC
HC – Harry D’Ortez, Tenby VC
Open:
1st – Ifan Murphy, Caer Elen
2nd – Ollie Holloway, Roch
3rd – Aled Hooper, Caer Elen
HC – Esme Muir, Gelliswick
Ensembles
1st – Saundersfoot School orchestra
2nd – Bro Preseli Harp ensemble & Cilgerran Harp ensemble
3rd – Violin duet (Fred & Leila Powell) & Wiston piano duet (Eva Evans & Millie Griffiths)
HC – Hook ensemble & Caer Elen harp ensemble
Education
Nursery place application deadline reminder from Local Authority

PARENTS and guardians of children in Pembrokeshire born between 01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 are invited to apply for a Nursery school place for January, April and September 2026 by the closing date of 30th April 2025.
Applications received after 30th April 2025 will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether the child gets a place at your preferred school.
It is important to note that no school place will be allocated unless a formal application is received.
The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’.
For information on which term your child would be due to join nursery, please follow this link to our Information to Parents which sets out the terms based on your child’s date of birth and which school you are applying to.
There is no need to re-apply if you have already submitted an application form. You can view your current applications by logging into your My Account and into the ‘Schools & Learning’ ‘School Admissions & Transport’ section.
Parents/guardians are reminded that attending a Nursery at a school does not guarantee a Primary place (to start in September 2027) and a separate application does need to be submitted for this. This application can be submitted at the same time as your Nursery application.
Parents/guardians will be notified of Nursery places by 31st July 2025.
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