FOLLOWING a recent Church in Wales legal threat against Pembrokeshire’s council over plans to remove church status from Cilgerran’s school, Wales Humanists has supported the council plans.

The Humanist support comes after the Church in Wales issued a formal notice that it will take legal action against Pembrokeshire County Council if it presses ahead with plans to remove church status from Cilgerran Voluntary Controlled Primary School.

Back in May, the council voted to remove the Voluntary Controlled status of the Welsh-speaking rural school and to establish it as a 3-11 community school despite 97 per cent of the responses to a consultation about its potential discontinuation opposing it.

That consultation followed a review which “considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council has previously said.

Hundreds opposed the proposed changes, with a petition on the council’s own website gaining 391 signatures.

During the consultation, 203 responses were received; 97 per cent (197 responses) against the proposal, with just 1.5 per cent (three) in favour.

Following this, a letter was sent to council officers on behalf of the Diocese of St Davids and the Church in Wales saying that, if the council persists with this course, the Church will take legal action on the grounds of claims of “public misrepresentation and unqualified legal assertions made by Pembrokeshire County Council officers,” and “discrimination against faith schooling”.

The letter also says that, if the council removes VC status from the school, the Church will not make the site available for a successor school, which it says will render “the case on which the proposed removal of VC status is based untenable”.

The legal warning described “the gratuitous attack on the church status of Ysgol Cilgerran” as amounting to “a targeted assault on the inclusive Christian education which Church in Wales schools have provided to their communities for generations”.

Since then, Wales Humanists has welcomed the move, which would remove church status from Cilgerran Voluntary Controlled Primary School, and has written to Pembrokeshire County Council expressing its support for the proposal “on behalf of the area’s substantial non-religious community”.

It says, according to the 2021 Census, almost half of people in Pembrokeshire identified as having no religion.

Kathy Riddick, Campaigns and Policy Manager for Wales Humanists, said: “Schools should exist to serve their whole community. Where publicly funded schools no longer reflect the beliefs of the communities they serve, it is entirely appropriate for local authorities to consider whether they should continue to have a religious character.

“The question is whether publicly funded schools should continue to be legally designated as belonging to one particular religion when they serve increasingly diverse communities.

“We believe education should be equally welcoming to every child, regardless of their religion or belief, and call on local authorities across Wales to keep the religious character of maintained schools under review so that school organisation reflects local demographics and the needs of modern communities.”

PLANS to upgrade a Pembrokeshire early learning centre so it will comply with fire safety regulations have been given the go-ahead.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, the council, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission for external and internal improvements for fire safety at Neyland Early Learning Centre, Clements Road, Neyland.

A supporting statement accompanying the application said: “Externally, the building comprises a curtain wall of single glazed windows and doors. These are in a poor state of repair, with some doors no longer opening easily.

“Further to this, the existing fire escape arrangements are unlevel and do not comply with building regulations at present. Therefore, to improve the existing arrangements of the building and to future proof it for continued use, this proposal seeks to replace the existing curtain glazing with like for like double glazed units.

“These will contain outward opening fire escape doors in the same positions as the existing doors. The double glazing will thermally improve the building, and the exits will serve as appropriate means of escape. Further to this, the external path is proposed to be regraded to provide a level threshold for disabled access.

“Overall, this application seeks minor like for like external alterations and necessary upgrades to meet building regulations and comply with both fire safety and means of access requirements.

“The proposal does not seek to introduce a new use or alterations that would impact upon neighbouring and local amenity. To enhance biodiversity on the site a sparrow terrace and rainwater garden is proposed.”

An officer report recommending approval said no response had been received from Neyland Town Council, and no third-party representations about the scheme had been received, concluding: “It is considered that the application would comply with policies of the Pembrokeshire Local Development Plan and that planning permission shall be granted.”

The application was conditionally approved by officers under delegated powers.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi praised for pioneering ideas to protect rivers, wildlife and the environment

A PEMBROKESHIRE school has been recognised at a prestigious Wales-wide climate awards ceremony after pupils impressed judges with innovative ideas to tackle biodiversity loss and water pollution.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi was named the winner of the Protect and Restore Nature category in Keep Wales Tidy’s Climate Challenge Cymru competition, inspired by The Earthshot Prize.

The school earned the award for a series of creative environmental solutions, including proposals for solar-powered systems designed to help protect rivers and lakes while improving local biodiversity.

Pupils and staff travelled to Cardiff to receive the award during a special ceremony held on Wednesday (June 17), where they were presented with their trophy by ecologist and nature campaigner Joe Wilkins.

Climate Challenge Cymru invited primary and secondary schools from across Wales to submit short videos showcasing innovative ideas to tackle one of five major environmental challenges, known as the Earthshots. These included creating a waste-free world, improving air quality, tackling climate change, protecting nature and restoring the world’s oceans.

The Pembrokeshire school’s winning entry stood out for its imaginative approach to protecting natural habitats and improving water quality through sustainable technology.

Lucy Vaughan, Geography Teacher and Leader of Pupil Voice at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, said: “I have been so impressed with all of the amazing entries that have been shared at this prestigious event and am immensely proud of our pupils for winning this challenge.

“The creativity, passion, teamwork and commitment they have shown have been truly inspiring. Their innovative ideas and determination to make a positive difference for the environment give me real hope for the future.”

Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire praised the standard of entries from schools across Wales.

He said: “It has been a privilege to spend the day at Climate Challenge Cymru, surrounded by the ideas and ambition of young people from right across Wales.

“The projects on display are a testament not only to their creativity but to their resolve to make a real difference in Wales and beyond. Seeing the next generation lead with such confidence gives me every reason to be optimistic about what lies ahead.”

The competition is organised by Keep Wales Tidy’s Eco-Schools team in partnership with the Welsh Government and is inspired by The Earthshot Prize, the international environmental initiative launched by Prince William to encourage practical solutions to the world’s biggest environmental challenges.

The success of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi highlights the growing role Pembrokeshire’s young people are playing in developing innovative ideas to tackle environmental issues, particularly those affecting the county’s rivers, coastline and wildlife.

Photo caption: Award winners: Pupils from Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi celebrate after winning the Protect and Restore Nature category at the Climate Challenge Cymru awards in Cardiff, alongside Keep Wales Tidy Chief Executive Owen Derbyshire (left) and ecologist Joe Wilkins (right).