Independent review finds Llanidloes High School acted within Welsh guidance as secular campaigners call for stronger safeguards

POWYS COUNTY COUNCIL has said it will take no further action against Llanidloes High School after an independent fact-finding exercise concluded the school is operating within relevant legislation and Welsh Government guidance.

The review was commissioned after concerns were raised about the alleged promotion of evangelical Christianity and creationist messages at the community school.

According to the council, the exercise found the school was compliant with current guidance. While it identified some areas of practice for the school to consider and review internally, the council said no further action was necessary.

The decision follows complaints raised by the National Secular Society (NSS), which said it had uncovered evidence that headteacher Dan Owen was attempting to convert pupils to Christianity.

The NSS said its concerns included school displays featuring Bible quotations alongside science and geography themes, giving pupils school planners containing biblical “advice”, and holding assemblies which promoted Christianity.

Among the examples cited were wall displays featuring marine life and the solar system alongside quotations from the Bible. The NSS claimed the displays were paid for using school funds and were described by a source as “very expensive”.

The NSS also alleged that evangelistic material had been used in school activity and assembly content, including references to the Alpha course and a lunchtime club linked to it. It further raised concerns about an advice page in school planners covering issues such as suicide, sex and abuse using only Bible verses, without signposting professional sources of support.

Powys County Council said the fact-finding exercise found no evidence that creationism was taught in science lessons, and no evidence of evangelisation or inappropriate promotion of Christianity.

The NSS criticised the outcome, saying it raises “serious questions” about current guidance on religion in schools in Wales. The organisation argues that protections for non-faith community schools are too weak and has called for stronger safeguards to prevent schools being used to promote the personal beliefs of those in charge.

In Wales, maintained schools are generally required to provide a daily act of collective worship, which is broadly Christian in character unless exemptions apply, and parents have the right to withdraw their children.

A 32-YEAR-OLD man is due to appear before magistrates next month accused of attempting to obtain hundreds of pounds by allegedly making false claims that money had been incorrectly taken from his bank card.

Craig James, of Fryer Court, Whitworth Close, Gosport, is listed for a plea hearing at 2:00pm in relation to three allegations of fraud by false representation, contrary to the Fraud Act 2006.

The court register states that the offences are alleged to have taken place on December 8, 2025, at three separate locations in west Wales.

In the first allegation, James is accused of dishonestly making a false representation at an address on Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, by allegedly claiming £153.80 had been incorrectly debited from his bank card and asking for it to be returned, intending to make a gain for himself.

A second charge relates to Penfro Garage in Ceredigion, where he is alleged to have made a similar claim involving £180.18.

The third allegation concerns Melrose House on Market Street, Newport, Pembrokeshire, where he is accused of falsely claiming £297 had been incorrectly debited and asking for the money back.

Each charge carries a maximum penalty in the magistrates’ court of up to six months’ imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.

The case was previously listed on December 22, 2025, but was adjourned at the request of the prosecution to allow further enquiries. The court register notes that there were concerns over whether the offences as laid were the correct charges.

James is expected to enter pleas when the matter returns to court.

Calls for lifesaving kit and better mental health support in west Wales after search ends

FAMILY and friends of a Cardigan man missing in the River Teifi have called for more lifesaving equipment to be installed along the riverbank — and for greater investment in mental health support across west Wales.

Kurtis Brook, 30, is believed to have entered the fast-flowing Teifi in Cardigan in the early hours of Sunday (Jan 4). His family say police were called following what they describe as an apparent mental health crisis, and that officers at the scene witnessed him go under the water and not resurface.

A major multi-agency search was launched, involving Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Cardigan RNLI and HM Coastguard. Specialist resources were also deployed, including drones, search dogs and the force’s marine unit, while local volunteers joined organised land searches in and around the town.

Kurtis is well known locally, having grown up in Cardigan. He has been involved with Cardigan Amateur Boxing Club and, more recently, Maesglas Football Club, where he was described by those close to the team as a respected and much-loved figure.

On Monday (Jan 12), Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed the formal river search had been concluded after more than a week, saying all lines of enquiry had been exhausted. Officers said they would act on any new information that could help locate Kurtis, and asked anyone who can assist to contact police quoting reference 52 of Sunday (Jan 4).

In a statement, the family said they hoped lessons could be learned from what has happened — both in terms of crisis intervention and public safety. They urged the installation of life rings and other safety measures along dangerous stretches of the Teifi, and called for greater resources to be directed towards community mental health teams in west Wales.

They also thanked everyone who has helped with the search and offered support, as efforts continue to bring Kurtis home.