A GROUP of students from Haverfordwest High School have been recognised on the national stage after winning a prestigious award at the Wales final of the The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards.

The students scooped the JD Foundation Community Impact Award during a ceremony held on Monday, January 19, at voco St Davids Cardiff, celebrating their efforts to transform a vandalised and neglected subway into a bright, welcoming mural for the community.

The project was delivered through the Achieve programme run locally by Pembrokeshire Youth Service, giving pupils a more hands-on, practical approach to learning outside the traditional classroom.

Reclaiming a neglected space

The group identified the graffiti-covered underpass, used daily on their walk to school, as somewhere that left a poor impression of the town.

Ffion, one of the students, said: “The subway was really unwelcoming and gave people a negative impression of the town. We wanted to reclaim the space and turn it into something positive.”

Working together, the pupils applied for funding, secured sponsorship from local businesses and organised school fundraising events. They also partnered with local artist Lloyd Griffiths to design and paint a colourful mural celebrating wellbeing, identity and pride in Haverfordwest.

The artwork even features their daily emotional “check-in” system – a tool they used throughout the programme to support each other’s mental health.

Building confidence and skills

Many of the young people involved had faced barriers in mainstream education, including social and emotional challenges or caring responsibilities at home. Several were at risk of leaving school with few qualifications.

Through the Achieve programme, they say they found a more supportive environment where they could develop confidence and practical skills.

Lateesha said: “We were really pushed outside of our comfort zone throughout the project, which helped us discover confidence in ourselves and just how much we’re capable of.”

The students developed teamwork, communication, fundraising and public speaking skills while delivering a lasting improvement to their neighbourhood.

Ffion added: “This project is our legacy. We’ve created something lasting that represents who we are and where we come from. It’s amazing what a cup of tea and a conversation can result in.”

Recognition on the national stage

Aaron Probert, JD Foundation Manager, presented the award on the night.

He said: “It is an honour to present this very special group of young people with the Community Impact Award. The way you have worked together to benefit your community is truly inspiring and the impact you have had is clear to see.”

The win now puts the Haverfordwest students in the running for a national King’s Trust Award, with finalists invited to a celebration event in May at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The King’s Trust supports young people aged eleven to thirty with skills, training and opportunities, with three in four participants moving into work, education or training.

For these Pembrokeshire pupils, their award-winning mural is already proof of what can happen when young people are given the chance – and the support – to make a difference close to home.

FAMILIES across Wales will soon have access to a broader range of affordable childcare options after the Welsh Government unveiled plans for a new voluntary approval scheme aimed at widening support and reducing costs.

The Voluntary Approval Scheme, due to launch in April 2027, will allow eligible parents to use Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare payments with more providers than is currently possible.

Ministers say the move will increase the number of approved settings, making it easier for families to find care that suits their needs, working hours and location.

Under the scheme, childcare, play and activity providers that are not required to register with Care Inspectorate Wales will be able to apply for approval, provided they meet strict standards. These include safety checks and mandatory training developed by Social Care Wales, designed to give parents added confidence when choosing a provider.

Clear guidance will also be published to help families understand the difference between providers approved under the voluntary system and those formally registered with Care Inspectorate Wales.

The decision follows a public consultation held between August and November last year, with further development work now underway ahead of the rollout.

Children and Social Care Minister Dawn Bowden said: “We are moving forward with this important scheme, which will make a real difference to families right across Wales.

“It will help support parents and improve children’s access to enriching childcare, playwork and activity opportunities by expanding the pool of approved providers.”

The Welsh Government says the scheme forms part of wider efforts to ease pressure on working families and improve access to flexible, high-quality childcare across the country.

Chief Inspector warns long-standing inconsistencies, particularly in secondary schools, continue to hold learners back

AN ANNUAL report by Estyn has warned that weaknesses in literacy, teaching quality and leadership across Wales remain a significant barrier to progress for many learners, with concerns particularly acute in some secondary schools.

Publishing the report on education and training, Estyn’s Chief Inspector said long-standing inconsistencies across the system continue to affect pupils’ outcomes and called for decisive action to ensure all learners are able to reach their full potential.

The report identifies literacy as a key area of concern, noting uneven standards in teaching and leadership between schools. Inspectors said variability in classroom practice and school leadership can have a direct impact on learners’ progress, especially at secondary level.

Responding to the findings, the Welsh Conservatives said the report reflected concerns frequently raised by parents and teachers. Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education Natasha Asghar MS said too many pupils were being “let down by weak literacy standards and inconsistent teaching quality”, arguing that problems had become entrenched after years of underperformance.

She said the party would prioritise raising standards through evidence-based approaches, including a commitment to banning cueing methods and introducing systematic phonics to improve literacy outcomes.

The Welsh Government said it is already working to address the issues highlighted by Estyn, pointing to reforms aimed at improving teaching quality and raising standards across schools. Ministers have previously said the Curriculum for Wales is designed to improve consistency and outcomes for learners.

Estyn said its findings were intended to support improvement across the education system, highlighting both areas of concern and examples of effective practice, and called on schools, local authorities and the Welsh Government to work together to tackle the challenges identified.