CARDIFF-based fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium is supporting the redevelopment of Portfield School in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire.

Portfield School is a special educational needs school for students aged between three and nineteen in the county with a diverse range of complex and profound learning needs.

Funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its ‘Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme’, the redevelopment of the school includes replacing the current lower school building, refurbishing the sixth form centre and the creation of a new children’s residential centre.

The new and updated facilities will feature specialist therapy rooms, breakout and sensory spaces and dedicated outdoor areas to meet the needs of the school’s students.

Dudley’s Aluminium has teamed up with Morgan Sindall Construction on this project and will install Kawneer doors, windows and capped curtain walling on the build.

The fabricator has previously worked with Morgan Sindall Construction on another school in the town, Haverfordwest High VC School, which has won a number of awards including prestigious Constructing Excellence in Wales awards.

Colin Shorney, Managing Director at Dudley’s Aluminium, said: “We are excited to be back in Haverfordwest to work with Morgan Sindall Construction on another school project to benefit learners in Pembrokeshire.

“This ambitious project will deliver a modern campus and improved learning environment for students with additional needs.”

Since 1993, Dudley’s Aluminium has offered clients full in-house design and production facilities, completing many successful and prestigious projects within the education, health, commercial, retail, residential and defence sectors throughout the UK and Channel Islands.

Dudley’s reputation for quality has been recognised with several industry-related accreditations. The company is CHAS accredited, Constructionline registered and BM Trada certified to manufacture enhanced security products to align with PAS24:2016 and BS 4873.

OPPOSITION Senedd members accused ministers of going “round and round in circles” and “making a mess” of Wales’ school system.

Cefin Campbell described a Welsh Government update on school improvement as “yet another statement of the obvious” and an admission of serious shortcomings.

Plaid Cymru’s shadow education secretary warned: “Labour in Wales have failed pupils, parents and teachers for far too long,” with GCSE results lagging England.

Mr Campbell said Welsh ministers sought the OECD’s advice three times following “worst-ever” PISA results in 2009, only to end up with even worse results in 2023.

He raised a review of the four regional consortia, the middle tier between councils and the Welsh Government, which found they were ineffective, with a new model needed.

Mr Campbell said: “A government going round and round in circles does not lead to pupil progress. We need to support teachers to do what they do best.”

The former lecturer explained that school reserves stood at £301m three years ago but, at the current rate of decline, could fall to a deficit of -£71m by 2026.

He said: “Schools are facing unprecedented and precipitous budgetary challenges and it’s time Labour makes good on its promise on more money for schools in Wales immediately.”

Tom Giffard accused Welsh ministers of “doubling down on more of the same … ideologically driven solutions that got us into this mess in the first place”.

The Conservatives’ shadow education secretary warned: “Instead of raising standards, the evidence suggests that Labour’s approach will only lower them.”

Referring to PISA results, he said: “We have the worst educational standards anywhere in the UK … it’s been that way in every single subject every single time we’ve been assessed.”

Mr Giffard welcomed confirmation of a 5.5% pay rise for teachers but cautioned that schools are having to make roles redundant, put off works or withdraw subjects to make ends meet.

“In that context, the last thing our schools need is an unfunded pay settlement,” he said.

Mr Giffard, a former teaching assistant in a Welsh-language primary school, called for other school staff beyond teachers to also receive a 5.5% raise.

In a statement to the Senedd on November 5, Lynne Neagle did not shy away from the challenges as she set out key improvement priorities.

Wales’ education secretary welcomed a slight increase in attendance this academic year from 91.4% to 92% but accepted rates remain “nowhere near good enough”.

“I want to see a much bigger improvement” she said, with too much variation between councils, year groups and pupils from different backgrounds.

Ms Neagle, who was appointed in March, announced a new ministerial advisory group and an extra £1.1m this year aimed at driving up attainment.

The education secretary told the Senedd she is considering more international benchmarking by participating in the TIMSS and PILRS studies.

She said the 5.5% pay rise will be backdated to the start of the school year urgently.

Refuting suggestions of an ideology-driven approach, she said: “That is simply not the way that I work. My only interest in doing this job is to deliver for children and young people.”

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL have been recognised for their commitment to and support for young carers and is the first school to achieve the top level award.

The school have achieved the Investors in Carers Gold Level award for its work for learners and staff who are carers.

The scheme is delivered by Hywel Dda University Health Board and supported by local authority and third sector partners in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

The Investors in Carers initiative was originally designed to help health facilities such as GP practices, areas within hospitals and other organisations focus on and improve their carer awareness.

This scheme has now extended to many other teams, services, and organisations. It is a scheme that provides a foundation for helping to identify and support unpaid carers of all ages.

Milford Haven School was assessed against the six themes within the scheme: Carer Lead, Staff training, Identification, Information and Support for carers and Evaluation.

Janette Reynolds, Assistant Head Teacher said: “We are incredibly honoured to receive the Gold Investors in Carers Award, it is a testament to our commitment to supporting and recognizing the invaluable contributions of carers within our community. It was about developing a culture that respects, empowers, and advocates for the wellbeing of carers at Milford Haven School. 

“We will continue to strive towards providing the best possible support, ensuring carers feel valued and equipped to balance their responsibilities.”  

Pembrokeshire County Council Carers Champion, Councillor Mike James said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Everyone at Milford Haven School should be extremely proud of their hard work and commitment that has led to them becoming the first school in Pembrokeshire to receive the Gold Investors in Carers award.

“The award recognises the awareness and support for carers provided by the school and this is to be congratulated.”

A carer is someone, of any age, who provides unpaid support to family or friends who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or substance misuse problems. Anyone can become a carer; in most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it just happens.

For more information about the Investors in Carers scheme or for useful advice for carers, please visit: www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers