Education

Mark Drakeford slams Lynne Neagle over school holidays

Published

3 months ago

June 5, 2024

AN ANGRY Mark Drakeford criticised Wales’ education secretary for shelving plans to shorten the school summer holidays.

The former First Minister lambasted Lynne Neagle as she announced a decision on school year reforms will be pushed back until after the 2026 election.

Mr Drakeford accused his former Welsh Government colleague of rowing back on a manifesto commitment to reform the school calendar.

Visibly riled, he said: “Let’s be clear that what we’ve heard this afternoon is the abandonment of a manifesto commitment made by the Labour Party at the last election.

“And the minister shouldn’t seek to shelter behind semantics in saying to me that this was a commitment to explore reform of the school day.”

Mr Drakeford argued reforming the school year, which has hardly changed in more than 150 years, would improve outcomes for children in Wales.

“I regret the political damage,” he told the chamber. “I regret the reputational damage that will be done to Wales.

“Just as other parts of the UK were looking at Wales and pointing to us as an example of what a progressive government could do.

Referring to the experience of the Ely estate in his Cardiff West constituency, he warned some families approach holidays in a spirit of anxiety, sometimes even amounting to fear.

Mr Drakeford, who stood down as First Minister in March, said: “When those children go away in July, in those six weeks, they will not see a book.

“They will have no opportunity to play in a way that allows them to appreciate what maths can do for them in their lives.

“And when they come back in September, the school starts all over again. The idea that there is no learning loss in the lives of those children is absolutely absurd.

“What this policy would have done is it would have begun to close the gap …. Here is a government that could have done something to help but it has decided not to.”

The Labour backbencher, who plans to stand down as an MS in 2026, warned children are playing second fiddle to reactionary forces attached to maintaining the status quo.

Elin Jones, the Senedd’s speaker or Llywydd, rebuked Labour MS Hefin David, for heckling the former First Minister and describing his contribution as ridiculous.

Lynne Neagle, who succeeded Jeremy Miles as education secretary in March, defended the decision to pause plans to spread out school holidays more evenly.

Hitting back at her former boss, she said: “I do regret the tone of some of those comments, which I do feel call into question my own commitment to children and young people.”

Ms Neagle stressed the decision was based on a consultation which received 16,000 responses, more than any launched by the Welsh Government’s education department.

She said: ”With respect, Mark, I think I have set out very clearly my reasons for this decision. It is about listening to a consultation. You cannot have a consultation and then just ignore that consultation. That would not be acceptable.”

Ms Neagle warned Wales’ schools are overwhelmed with other reforms, such as a new curriculum, and struggling under funding constraints.

She said: “To think a week’s change in the school year is going to make a difference to the systemic challenges we’re facing in education is, quite frankly, fiddling while Rome burns.”

In a statement to the Senedd on June 4, she warned the evidence base is not clear cut: “There is evidence that suggests the summer period contributes to learning loss, and … concerns around how we support those children for whom school is safer than home.

“But there is also evidence that shows the benefit of an extended break for the wellbeing of both children and the workforce, and how that contributes positively to family life.

“This is just one example of many.”

Ms Neagle said she will continue to explore a five-week summer, two-week autumn break and decoupling the Easter holidays, but no decision will be made until post-2026.

Education

Back to school reminder of free primary school meals

Published

2 days ago

September 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AS the new school year is with us anyone with children in full time Primary are reminded that hot and cold lunches are available every day for free.

Pembrokeshire County Council extended the Universal Free School Meals initiative last September after free meals for all those in Year Two and below was introduced by Welsh Government earlier that year.

There is a two week rolling hot food menu offering tasty, nutritious, balanced food inclusive of all dietary needs. Popular choices include pasta bolognaise, meatballs, and chicken wrap.

There is always a sandwich or jacket potato option for children each day if they do not fancy a hot meal.

All your child has to do is to pick their meal option each morning at registration.

Concerned about allergies – our dedicated team of nutrition specialists can cater for any child that suffers from a food allergy or intolerance too.

If your child has a specific dietary requirement or restrictions please contact our School Liaison Officer via email [email protected] or telephone 01437 776168.

Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham said: “Last year 925,531 learners enjoyed universal free school meals and we hope to see many more taking advantage this new school year. The catering team at Pembrokeshire County Council do a fantastic job in providing nutritious and tasty meals for your young people.”

The scheme does not replace Free School Meals for those learners whose parents or guardians are receiving qualifying benefits, which allows them to access other financial support for school costs.

This includes claiming up to £200 of additional support for School Essentials if your child is eligible for Free School Meals.

Take a look at the menus on offer on the Pembrokeshire County Council website and why not give free lunches a go!

Education

Four Ceredigion schools could be at risk of closure

Published

1 week ago

August 31, 2024

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

FOUR Ceredigion schools could be at threat of closure if recommendations before the county council’s Cabinet meeting of September 3 are backed.

Cabinet members are recommended to back the start of statutory consultations for proposals to discontinue north county schools Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa, Borth, Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn, Ysgol Llangwyryfon, near Aberystwyth, and Ponterwyd’s Ysgol Syr John Rhys.

All four have similar recommendations, to approve a proposal to commence the statutory consultation process to cease to maintain the provision at [the relevant school] with effect from August 31 of next year.

The changes in the fortunes of the four schools are detailed in individual reports for Cabinet members.

Ysgol Craig yr Wylfa has seen numbers decline from 42 in 2020, to 29 in 2024, with a forecast 22 pupils in 2019; the school having 44 surplus places (59 percent surplus), and the cost per pupil amounting to £7,640 against a Ceredigion average of £4,635.

It also lists are predicted school budget deficit for 2025 of £3,368.

Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn numbers in the report are: 30 (2020), 19 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 17, and a per pupil cost of £6,978, with a deficit of £27,488.

Ysgol Llangwyryfon: 46 (2020), 30 (2024), 22 (2029), with a 45 per cent surplus of 25, and a per pupil cost of £6,321, with a deficit of £23,916.

Ysgol Syr John Rhys: 25 (2020), 22 (2024), 19 (2029), with a 46 per cent surplus of 18, and a per pupil cost of £7,949.

The report says that Ysgol Syr John Rhys also has maintenance backlog costs of £77,500.

In the individual reports it is suggested Craig Yr Wylfa pupils could be moved to nearby Ysgol Talybont or the schools acting as one school on two sites; Ysgol Llanfihangel y Creuddyn and Ysgol Llangwyryfon either forming a partnership with Ysgol Llanilar, or all pupils could transfering to Llanilar; pupils from Ysgol John Rhys pupils transferring to another nearby school, or a federation formed.

Ahead of the discussion on the future of the schools, a report for Cabinet on each school says: “Subject to Cabinet approval, it is therefore intended to proceed to statutory consultation.”

It adds: “If no alternative is suggested, the proposal paper will be presented to the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Community for information before undertaking a Statutory Consultation. Cabinet should be satisfied that implementation would be the most appropriate response to address the key challenges identified as the reason for proposing discontinuance of the school.”

Following consultations, the final decision to close any school would be undertaken by full council.

Welsh language campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith has said that if the Cabinet votes for such a consultation, they would immediately submit a complaint to the Minister for Education, saying that the council is not fulfilling its educational duties and is going against the School Organisation Code.

On behalf of the Cymdeithas yr Iaith Education Group, Ffred Ffransis said: “Not only are Ceredigion Council intent on undermining a number of Welsh-speaking communities and emptying them of younger families, but the whole process is also completely contrary to the presumption in favour of maintaining rural schools which is an essential part of the 2018 edition of the Schools Organisation Code. Ceredigion have looked at these schools in the context of trying to make immediate savings to their budget, and have therefore adopted a practical presumption against maintaining the schools, which are being asked to justify their existence despite their academic success.

“Furthermore, the Government Code insists that all other options must be considered while proposals are still at a formative stage – that is before a proposal is made. Yet the officials are proposing going to a statutory consultation on their established option and invite comments on other options during statutory consultation. If the Minister allowed Ceredigion to get away with this blatant disregard of the principle of presumption in favour of rural schools, then the whole government policy would be discredited.”

Community

Fun days support families over summer holidays

Published

1 week ago

August 28, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire County Council Early Years Integration Team has been working in the Tenby and Fishguard areas to support families with children 0-7yrs for a summer of fun.

The Team works closely with Midwives and Health Visitors to run groups and parenting sessions for families from pregnancy onwards.

For summer the team ran some Family Fun Sessions as the school holidays can be very long, especially with the inconsistent Pembrokeshire weather.

They teamed up with local schools to ensure a ‘Plan B’ indoor space was available for all six sessions.

Three sessions took place in each area and luckily all but the last had sunny weather so the families were able to make use of the great outdoors.

The Play Works Grant was accessed to provide fruit pots and healthy wraps that families were able to create. The Healthy Preschool Practitioner from Hywel Dda University Health Board gave her time at each event to ensure this ran smoothly.

Local charities and organisations were invited to support the events, including Family Information Service, ASD Family Help who provided circus skill activities and general outdoor equipment and Citizens Advice Bureau who provided some fun colouring and badge making that incorporated messages around budgeting.

Small Woods brought a new dimension to the sessions with fantastic nature activities that saw children and adults creating brilliant bunting and willow wands.

Volunteering Matters rounded up some of their local volunteers who supported each event to provide a range of interesting activities including making crowns, light catchers and lanterns, as well as a drumming session and board games.

The families provided some great feedback as well as all the providers enjoying the atmosphere.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “These series of events have been so much fun and brilliant support for the families involved across the summer. My thanks go to everyone who has been involved.”

A total of 84 adults and 165 children attended the Tenby sessions with 60 adults and 106 children attending the sessions in Fishguard.

With the Early Years Team providing other activities for families to enjoy together, it created lots to do for all ages, a particular favourite was children face painting their parents!

Plant Dewi Project Worker Carys came along to provide some interesting ‘messy and sensory’ play and promote a new group (see below).

The Early Years Team are joining Plant Dewi to provide a new Families Together Group starting in St Teilo’s Church Hall, Tenby on Wednesday 4th September and running every week 9.30-11.30am.

To find out more information about what is going on in your area please contact Helen on 07774900140 email [email protected] and follow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EYITeam/