Senedd shoots down outdoor education bill

Published

1 year ago

April 19, 2024

MEMBERS of the Senedd rejected calls to establish a legal requirement for residential outdoor education opportunities for children and young people in Wales’ schools.

The Senedd narrowly voted against the general principles of the residential outdoor education bill, which was introduced by the Conservatives’ Sam Rowlands.

Mr Rowlands said his bill would remove a postcode lottery in terms of access to residential outdoor education, so no child misses out due to their personal circumstances.

He explained that the bill would create an entitlement for all pupils in maintained schools to experience at least four nights of residential outdoor education free of charge.

The North Wales MS argued the bill would have a long-term net positive economic impact.

He warned: “Outdoor education residentials are valued by children, parents and teachers alike, yet, for those without the means to access them, they are, in fact, unattainable.

“I believe this is fundamentally wrong and this bill sets out to remove those financial barriers to participating in what can be life-changing experiences.”

Mr Rowlands, a former Conwy council leader, said the bill would support the long-term physical and mental health of young people.

Labour’s Buffy Williams outlined the education committee’s stage-one report on the bill, which raised concerns about some children and young people being excluded.

The newly elected committee chair pointed to the example of education other than at school, such as pupil referral units or those who are homeschooled.

Peredur Owen Griffiths, who chairs the finance committee, said the bill would require significant funding against a backdrop of Welsh Government budgetary pressures.

An impact assessment found the bill would cost between £74m and £96m over five years.

Sarah Murphy, the Labour MS for Bridgend, raised the legislation committee’s concerns about the lack of a definition of residential outdoor education in the bill.

Ms Murphy, who was elected chair in a knife-edge 28-29 vote on Tuesday, warned that the bill does not provide an appropriate mechanism for pupils to opt out.

Peter Fox said Monmouthshire council prioritised access to outdoor education while neighbouring councils withdrew support to make efficiency savings.

The former council leader said: “We rationalised our provision and maintained the offer, as we had seen the benefits of children for decades.”

Mr Fox told the chamber it is a sad indictment that the Senedd does not enable backbench legislation to progress, with no opposition bills agreed since 2016.

The Monmouth MS said: “Why don’t we allow these things to progress and see where they go? And if you can’t find a way through that, then things can be stopped in the future.

“Why always stop legislation before it has an opportunity to progress, to breathe and to really show what it has the potential to do?”

Heledd Fychan, Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary, backed the bill’s core aim of ensuring equal opportunity for every child.

However, she highlighted the huge pressures already on school staff who often volunteer to help with residential outdoor education.

“They don’t receive any additional payment for this work,” she said. “They do it because they see the benefit for the children and young people in their care when they are in our schools.”

Carolyn Thomas, the Labour MS for North Wales, raised existing school budget pressures, with the bill estimated to cost about £20m a year to cover teachers, lodging and transport.

She said: “At a time when schools are having to face extremely difficult decisions, including redundancies, placing additional pressure on the education budget would be unthinkable.”

Lynne Neagle raised concerns about the capacity of the outdoor education sector to meet the bill’s requirements on the Welsh language and additional learning needs provision.

Wales’ new education secretary warned the bill would require additional changes to terms and conditions of school staff, which could hamper recruitment and retention.

Ms Neagle said education unions and councils have significant concerns about the potential impact on an already stretched financial situation facing schools.

She told the chamber the bill would bind the Welsh Government to expressly fund residential outdoor education over and above any other aspect of Wales’ new curriculum.

The Senedd voted 25-26 against the bill following the debate on April 17, with opposition members outnumbered by the Welsh Government and Labour backbenchers.

Last chance to apply for fully funded green skills apprenticeship

Published

1 hour ago

June 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Coleg Sir Gâr offers businesses the tools to meet sustainability targets

WELSH employers are being urged to act quickly to secure a place on a fully funded apprenticeship scheme designed to equip staff with the green skills needed to cut energy costs, reduce carbon emissions, and meet net zero targets.

Coleg Sir Gâr has issued a final call for applications to its Level 3 Energy and Carbon Management Apprenticeship, part of its Green Skills Academy. Applications must be submitted by Thursday, 20 June, with limited places available due to high demand from businesses across the region.

The 18-month, part-time course is suitable for new recruits and current staff, offering a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning. Apprentices attend in-person training just two days per month, making it easy to fit around regular duties.

Open to anyone over 18 living in Wales who is employed and not enrolled in another funded full-time course, the programme is fully funded for eligible applicants.

Jemma Parsons, Head of the Green Skills Academy, said: “The level of interest we’ve seen shows that Welsh employers understand the need to upskill their teams in energy and carbon management. This apprenticeship provides a vital opportunity to future-proof organisations, reduce costs, and build meaningful sustainability credentials.”

Organisations already signed up include Carmarthenshire County Council, Axium Process Ltd, LBS Builders Merchants, and Barcud.

Rhodri Griffiths, Head of Place and Sustainability at Carmarthenshire County Council, said: “We’re committed to tackling the climate emergency. This apprenticeship equips our employees with practical skills to reduce energy use and support our wider sustainability goals. It’s a key part of our response to climate change and helps us build a greener future for the county.”

The course strengthens participants’ ability to demonstrate environmental compliance, boost in-house expertise, and improve standing in procurement and supply chains. It forms part of Wales’ broader strategy to become a leader in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.

To register your interest or learn more, contact the Green Skills Academy at [email protected] or visit csgcc.ac.uk.

Education

New Carmarthenshire special school finally approved after fierce backlash

Published

20 hours ago

June 16, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A LONG-DELAYED plan to build a new special school in Carmarthenshire has been approved, following a year of protests, public pressure, and political U-turns.

Ysgol Heol Goffa in Llanelli, which serves children with additional learning needs, has long outgrown its current site. A new building was first promised in 2017 at the former Draka copperworks site. However, last year, Carmarthenshire County Council said rising construction costs meant it could no longer afford the project—sparking fury from parents and carers.

In September 2024, around 300 people gathered on the steps of County Hall in Carmarthen in protest, accusing the council of breaking its word. Campaigners said children in need were being let down and demanded that the local authority keep its promise.

This week, councillors voted unanimously to approve revised plans that would see a new special school built after all—though the exact design and size remain undecided.

Chair of governors Owen Jenkins, speaking after the decision, said: “It’s a relief after a year of torment. We’re grateful to the community for their support, and we’ll be keeping the pressure on to make sure the new school is delivered.”

The council had previously pulled out of the original scheme in May 2024 due to financial pressures. An independent review of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision across Carmarthenshire was then launched and reported back in February, setting out six possible options.

Two were formally presented on Monday by Cllr Glynog Davies, Plaid Cymru’s Cabinet Member for Education. Both involve building a new special school:

One plan would see a smaller school for 150 pupils built at a cost of up to £35.4 million, alongside the creation of autism-specific units at local mainstream schools.
The other would expand the original plans to accommodate 250 pupils, including those with Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), at an estimated cost of up to £51.2 million.

Cllr Davies told the meeting that the “welfare of children is the obvious priority,” but added that any decision had to take into account the serious costs involved.

Although the story centres on Llanelli, the issues will be familiar to many in Pembrokeshire, where families with children who have additional needs often face long waits and limited local provision. Campaigners say the decision sends a clear message that specialist education must remain a priority, even during financial hardship.

Mr Jenkins said the school looked forward to a “positive dialogue” with the council in the months ahead.

Education

Ceredigion County Council launches new graduate scheme

Published

2 days ago

June 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Six paid placements open across key departments

CEREDIGION County Council has announced the launch of a new Graduate Scheme aimed at giving recent university graduates a foothold in professional public service careers.

The initiative, funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, offers six paid placements across a variety of departments, including Planning, Carbon Reduction, Engineering, Legal, Public Protection, and Youth Work.

Eifion Evans, Chief Executive of Ceredigion County Council, said:
“We are excited to launch this scheme. It’s not only a great initiative to support our Corporate Wellbeing Objective of ‘Boosting the economy, supporting businesses and enabling employment,’ but also a fantastic opportunity for recent graduates to take their first step on the career ladder and access quality career opportunities in public service and beyond.”

Council Leader, Councillor Bryan Davies, added:
“This scheme represents a valuable investment in our county. It offers graduates the chance to pursue rewarding careers within the region and the communities where they were raised. We strongly encourage graduates to apply and look forward to building on this initiative in the years ahead.”

About the scheme

The scheme is open to applicants with relevant degrees, offering 12-month paid contracts. Graduate Trainees will earn while they learn, gaining tailored support and training to develop specialist skills and a strong foundation for future employment.

The six areas currently available are:

Planning, Building Control & Development Management
Carbon Reduction, Energy & Asset Management
Engineering
Legal
Public Protection (Environmental Health or Trading Standards)
Youth Work

How to apply

Applications are now open via the Ceredigion County Council careers website. An online information session will be held on Monday, 9 June, for interested candidates to learn more about the roles and working life at Team Ceredigion.