Education

‘ Extremism in schools an issue of concern’

Published

11 years ago

August 6, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Concerning issue: Extremism in schools

EDUCATION MINISTER, Huw Lewis, has admitted that combating extremism in schools is something that ‘should concern us all’. At a recent Senedd debate he was questioned by Plaid Cymru AM, Simon Thomas, who enquired as to what the minister was pro-actively doing on the issue, and in particular, within educational settings.
Responding, Mr Lewis said: “I think Simon Thomas touches upon a very important issue that should concern us all in terms of how schools approach these profoundly important issues. The Welsh Government does have a national community cohesion delivery plan, which helps to enhance a better understanding of communities and enables services to respond to the changing needs of communities. And the Welsh Government funds eight regional community cohesion co-ordinators to provide all-Wales coverage to support the development of work through that delivery plan.”
He went on to cite the proposed new curriculum changes, put forward in the Donaldson report, as a way forward in tackling the problem, stating: “I would, though take the opportunity to also mention my intent that schools individually, and as a whole, need to rise to the challenge of community cohesion, and I believe that Professor Graham Donaldson’s four purposes, one of which is that children should be ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world, demands that we take action. And, in that regard, I’d like to take the opportunity to announce that I believe we need to transform our current religious education curriculum. My contention would be that we rename the RE curriculum and transform it into the religion, philosophy and ethics element of the curriculum, where there is an explicit commitment to allowing children to ponder ideas around ethics and citizenship and what it means to be a citizen of a free country.”
Simon Thomas went on to point out that the issue could not wait for such implementation of a new curriculum, that could be some years off, as well as expressing concern that some teachers may be insufficiently trained for identifying extremism, saying: “If we look to the past, there’s clearly been a certain uncertainty around the Westminster Government’s Prevent strategy and that’s been changed over the years. The evaluation of the Advisory Directorate For Youth, Women and Imams’ Active Development, which is an earlier Welsh Government cohesion strategy with the Muslim Council of Wales—which was set up to combat an earlier kind of exhibition of extremism that was around at that stage, namely Al- Muhajiroun, working in Cardiff— found that it didn’t target sufficiently those at risk of embracing extremism. So, I’m grateful that the Minister said that he’s aware of these issues. I don’t think that we can wait for Donaldson, however, to deliver on some of these things. I would ask the Minister now, as many teachers are in the front line of seeing extremism being expressed in the classroom or, indeed, in pupils’ attitudes to each other, is he confident that they now have the skills and training to deal with such issues?”
The minister admitted that not all teachers would feel confident in reacting to overtly extremist classroom comments, citing, once again, the Donaldson report: “That’s why we do need to shift gear, really, in terms of the support that’s out there and available for our professionals. We also need to be proactive, in my view. I think to be reactive is not enough. We really need to allow young people the space and the time, within the school curriculum, to consider fundamental issues of faith and of citizenship and of the meaning of freedom. That is why, I think, we do need to consider change, through Donaldson, in the current religious education curriculum.”
Mr Thomas cited an EU initiative that he believed should involve the education Minister, saying: “The EU commissioner for education, Tibor Navracsics, has established a process for discussion with education Ministers on citizenship in the curriculum—precisely the issue that the Minister was talking about— and to promote inter-community dialogue. He told the European Parliament’s cultural committee, in response to a question from Jill Evans, Member of the European Parliament, that this should include devolved Governments also.”
He further questioned the Minister as to whether or not he was part of that dialogue and if he wasn’t, could he assure the Senedd that he would commit to becoming part of the dialogue, to which the minister responded: “I’m not aware of any contact from the level of the EU on this issue, concerning that strand of work that’s going on in Europe. So, I will undertake to ask officials to seek out the agenda that he mentions and, as he suggests, engage with it.”

Education

Language commissioner launches probe into school closure impact on Welsh

Published

1 day ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH Language Commissioner has launched a formal investigation into claims that the proposed closure of a rural Carmarthenshire primary school did not properly assess the impact on the Welsh language.

Campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith confirmed this week that the Welsh Language Commissioner will examine whether Carmarthenshire County Council complied with its legal duties when producing a language impact assessment linked to plans to close Ysgol Llansteffan.

The council issued a statutory notice last year proposing to shut the village school at the end of the summer term as part of wider education reorganisation. A final decision had been expected this spring.

However, the investigation now creates fresh uncertainty over the timetable.

Complaint over ‘insufficient assessment’

Cymdeithas yr Iaith says it submitted a formal complaint arguing that the council failed to produce a sufficiently detailed assessment of how the closure could affect Welsh-medium education and the wider Welsh-speaking community.

The group claims the authority selectively used data to support closure rather than examining all available evidence objectively.

Two key concerns were raised.

Firstly, campaigners argue there may not be enough places in neighbouring Welsh-medium schools to accommodate pupils from Llansteffan and nearby housing developments, potentially forcing some families into English-medium provision.

Secondly, they say the assessment did not meaningfully consider the school’s role as a community hub or explore ways the site could generate income and support local Welsh-language activities.

On behalf of local members, Ffred Ffransis said: “There will not be places for all the Llansteffan children, nor for the children of the new housing estates, in other Welsh-medium schools in the area.

“The most cost-effective way of providing sufficient places locally in Welsh-medium education is by keeping open Ysgol Llansteffan and making better use of the buildings, including environmental education and community use.”

Formal investigation

In a letter to the group, the commissioner confirmed an investigation will be held under Section 71 of the Welsh Language Measure to determine whether the council complied with Welsh language standards.

The probe could take up to three months.

Campaigners believe this may delay implementation of the closure and could require the council to revisit its assessment and potentially carry out a fresh statutory consultation.

Ffransis said: “Even if the council now decided to make a full and meaningful assessment, there would likely have to be a new consultation. The original decision may have been taken on a faulty basis.”

He added that similar concerns had been raised about language impact assessments connected to other proposed school closures in the county.

Council position

The council has previously said that school reorganisation proposals are driven by falling pupil numbers, financial pressures and the need to ensure sustainable, high-quality education.

Authorities across Wales have faced difficult decisions in recent years as rural rolls decline and building maintenance costs rise.

It is expected the council will respond formally to the commissioner’s investigation in due course.

What happens next

If the commissioner finds that language standards were not properly followed, enforcement steps could be taken and the process delayed or revisited.

For families in Llansteffan, the outcome may determine whether their local Welsh-medium school remains open beyond the summer term.

The Herald has contacted Carmarthenshire County Council for comment.

Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.

Community

Cilgerran Church in Wales school petition to be heard

Published

2 days ago

February 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION opposing proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school is to be heard by councillors later this week.

At last May’s meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

A later July meeting backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation has said.

The consultation closed on January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closing after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of more than 100 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s scrutiny committees, in the case of Cilgerran that debate taking place at Pembrokeshire County Council’s February 5 schools and learning overview and scrutiny committee.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.
“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched, which has generated enough support to be heard at a future council meeting.

Education

Industry insight helps marine cadets chart career course

Published

5 days ago

January 31, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Shipping professional visits Pembrokeshire College to showcase real-world opportunities on the Milford Haven Waterway

STUDENTS training for careers at sea were given a first-hand look at life in the maritime industry after a leading shipping professional visited Pembrokeshire College to share his experience of operations on the Milford Haven Waterway.

Toby Forester, from Williams Shipping, met with the College’s Enhanced Marine Engineering Pre-Cadets to explain how commercial shipping, marine services and logistics work together to keep one of the UK’s busiest energy ports moving.

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Learners heard about the wide range of activity taking place daily on the estuary, including vessel movements, specialist support craft, safety management and the coordination required to operate safely and efficiently in a working port environment.

Staff said the session gave students valuable real-world context, helping them understand how the engineering skills they develop in workshops and classrooms directly translate into careers within the maritime and energy sectors.

The visit forms part of the College’s wider effort to strengthen links between education and industry, ensuring young people are exposed to employers and career pathways while still in training.

College representatives said experiences like this help build confidence and ambition among learners considering technical roles at sea or ashore.

They thanked Williams Shipping and Mr Forester for supporting the next generation of marine engineers and helping inspire future talent in Pembrokeshire’s coastal economy.

Photo caption: Marine engineering pre-cadets at Pembrokeshire College welcomed an industry talk from Williams Shipping about operations on the Milford Haven Waterway (Pic: Supplied).