Education

Moving for better health and learning

Published

10 years ago

May 16, 2016

CHILDREN NEED to move more in order to improve both their health and learning according to Dr Nalda Wainwright, Director of the Wales Institute of Physical Literacy at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD).

“Children are spending more and more time sitting still watching TV, playing on i-pads, computers and phones,” says Dr Wainwright. “This is worrying because we know from research that if children don’t learn to move well at an early age, they aren’t likely to become active as they grow up. This means they have a greater risk of being overweight or obese, developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and many other health conditions that are linked to lack of physical activity.”

“The lack of physical activity in young children is particularly worrying as we know that for very young children this activity helps develop physical skills. Since the 1980s research has told us that if young children don’t develop these physical skills this is a barrier that prevents them being able to take part in sport as they grow older.

“It is really important that young children have a foundation of good movement – and this comes through a lot of physical play with the help of teachers and parents. The good news is that by developing their physical skills, children are also developing their brain and improving their learning.”

At UWTSD, there is a strong focus on physical activity and health where Dr Wainwright and a team of staff are supporting the development of Physical Literacy. This is a concept that is growing in recognition throughout the world and is about ensuring that people are able to choose physical activity throughout life.

It is much more than learning skills and playing sport. It’s about being confident; motivated; and about understanding why activity is important and how to be active – whether that’s playing sport in a club, walking in the hills, doing yoga, cycling, swimming or taking a dance class.

Education and high quality physical education in particular has an important role to play in fostering physical literacy so that young people are motivated and able to access a range of activities. Physical literacy is also supported by coaches, instructors, volunteers and parents – in fact anyone that encourages and helps people to be active.

So what can you do to help your children get this foundation of movement?

“You could encourage them to play outside – go out with them to play catching and throwing games,” says Nalda Wainwright. “Make some simple target games with chalk on the ground, or a hoop and bean bags. Help them to balance and move in different ways, over, under and through furniture; walk along a line or jump over objects.

“Can your children run, gallop and skip? Can they dodge in chasing games? If the weather is bad, why not roll up some socks and play catching games or target games inside?”

“You need to ensure that your child is active for several hours every day. You could walk and let them hold your hand instead of sitting them in a buggy. Take them to a park on the way home from school every day so they can chase, run and climb before they start using computers or sit in front of the TV.

“If you can make small changes every day, you will see your children becoming better movers and they will want to move more. In the long term, you will help them become healthier and to learn better in school.”

Dr Nalda Wainwright carried out a study looking at the impact of the Foundation Phase on pupils’ physical literacy and the findings have been significant. Her research showed significant links between the pupils’ physical competence and their intellectual development.

“It is very exciting to see the impact of the Foundation Phase on children’s Physical Literacy and also on their wider learning. Research has shown for some time that there are very strong links between early physical development and cognitive development.

“We are very lucky here in Wales to have The Foundation Phase as, when it is delivered well it is an amazing curriculum that uses a playful approach to learning and gives children opportunities to learn outside every day.

“This approach gives children many opportunities to be active, but our research showed that some of the skills were not being developed and teachers needed more training.

“We are now carrying out more research and are currently running the largest project in early childhood motor development in the world. This is showing us that when we train teachers and parents to develop these skills with the pupils there is a significant impact on the children’s competence.

“This is very important as we now know that teachers and adults working with pre-school children can make a real difference to their chances of being active. We need to make sure that this training is available in all areas of Wales to avoid a health disaster in the future”

Education

Parents urged to rally as final decision looms over Ysgol Clydau

Published

4 days ago

May 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Campaigners call for supporters to attend ‘crucial’ County Hall meeting in bid to save village school

SUPPORTERS fighting to save Ysgol Clydau are urging parents, children and members of the community to gather at County Hall in Haverfordwest next month as councillors prepare to make a final decision on the school’s future.

The grassroots campaign group Save Ysgol Clydau – Cadw Clydau yn Gadarn has called on as many people as possible to attend an extraordinary meeting on Monday, June 15, describing it as a “crucial” moment in the battle to keep the school open.

Campaigners are asking supporters to gather outside County Hall from 9:00am ahead of the meeting, which is due to begin at 10:00am.

In a public appeal shared online, organisers said the day would likely be emotional regardless of the outcome, but stressed the importance of showing a united front.

A spokesperson for the campaign said: “We need as many parents, children, and supporters as possible at County Hall, Haverfordwest to help save our school.

“A final decision will be made. Please do your very best to attend and stand with our community.

“It will be an emotional day, whatever the outcome — but together we can show the county and the country that we are here, united, and determined to be heard.”

The campaign has become a rallying point for local families concerned about the future of education in rural communities, with supporters arguing that closing the school would have a lasting impact on village life and young children.

Promotional material shared by the group encourages families to bring children and “their voices” to the demonstration, with campaigners insisting: “Together we are stronger.”

The Herald understands the meeting is expected to draw strong local interest, with campaigners hoping a large turnout could influence councillors ahead of what may be a decisive vote.

Ysgol Clydau has been at the centre of an ongoing debate about the future of smaller rural schools in Pembrokeshire, with supporters arguing the school plays a vital role at the heart of the community.

The meeting takes place at County Hall, Haverfordwest, on Monday, June 15, with supporters gathering from 9:00am.

Education

UWTSD Summer Degree Shows celebrate emerging creative talent

Published

4 days ago

May 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students recognised as exhibitions and performances continue across Wales and beyond

THE UNIVERSITY OF WALES Trinity Saint David has celebrated the work of emerging artists, designers and performers through its annual Summer Degree Shows.

The exhibitions and performances, held during May and continuing into the summer, showcase final-year projects from students across a wide range of creative disciplines, including Fine Art, Graphic Design, Surface Pattern and Textiles, Photography, Illustration, Automotive and Transport Design, Acting and Adventure Filmmaking.

Events have taken place across Swansea, Carmarthen, Cardiff and London, with major showcases held at Swansea College of Art’s Dynevor and Alex buildings. Performances have also been staged at Yr Egin in Carmarthen, with further exhibitions planned at national venues.

A key part of the celebrations was the annual prize-giving ceremony at Dynevor in Swansea, where students were recognised for outstanding achievement.

Aimiee Brown and Branwen Jones received the Elysium Sculpture Award, with two £500 prizes presented for excellence in sculptural practice.

The Hayden John James Prize awarded £1,000 prizes to undergraduate student Tilly Lewis and postgraduate student Andrew T Gardiner.

Surface Pattern student Samantha McGrath received the Elizabeth Jeffries Prize, while Cel Hopkins was awarded the Josef Herman Carolyn Davies Prize, presented by the Josef Herman Foundation.

Illustration student Morgan Stevens received the Rhys Bevan Jones Illustration Prize, while Seren Trodden was recognised twice, receiving both an Old Dyvorians Association President Prize and the Mission Gallery Makers Award in collaboration with the Jane Phillips Award.

Other Old Dyvorians Association President Prizes went to Bella Watkins, Rhiannon Hughes, Adam Mayhew, Emi Joy and Becca May.

Jewellery student Jessica Theobald received the ACJ College Jewellery Prize, which includes membership of the Association for Contemporary Jewellery, while Photography student Carys Bristowe-Davies received the Sarah Tierney Award, offering mentoring and access to workshops at Swansea College of Art.

Dr Mark Cocks, Dean of UWTSD’s Wales Institute for Science and Art, said: “The Summer Degree exhibitions celebrate the inspirational creative talents of our students.

“The innovation and diversity of the student work is testament to their dedication and creative application of their personal practice. These shows are the culmination of academic study, but also the beginning of professional creative journeys.”

Caroline Thraves, Academic Director for Art and Media at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art, said the shows provided students with an important professional platform.

She added: “Hosting the Summer Shows is a vital part of our mission at UWTSD. It gives our students a professional platform to share their creativity with the world, celebrates their hard work, and connects them with the industries they are about to enter.”

Lynne Seymour, Academic Director for Design and Performing Industries, said this year’s programme was particularly significant as the university marks 25 years since the first graduates from its Set Design and Production course.

She said: “These exhibitions and performances represent not only the culmination of years of hard work, collaboration and artistic exploration, but also the beginning of many professional creative journeys.”

The Summer Shows continue throughout the season, including Architecture, Engineering and Computing exhibitions at UWTSD’s Swansea Waterfront campus, performances from WAVDA students at Yr Egin and in Cardiff, exhibitions at New Designers and Copeland Gallery in London, and Automotive and Transport Design showcases at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.

Community

Pembrokeshire adventurer Tori James named National Learn Welsh Ambassador

Published

1 week ago

May 23, 2026

Richard Lewis

AS THE NATIONAL Centre for Learning Welsh celebrates its highest ever number of learners – over 20,000 in 2024–2025 – it has announced a new ambassadors scheme with the aim of inspiring even more people to learn, use and enjoy the Welsh language.

The Learn Welsh Ambassadors Scheme will be launched today (May 23) at the Urdd Eisteddfod on Anglesey, as part of the Eisteddfod’s ‘Learners’ Day’ celebrations.

Four high-profile ambassadors have been appointed to the new scheme:

Aleighcia Scott – singer and DJ, and one of the mentors on S4C’s talent show Y Llais, who will also be honoured with the Green robe at Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las in August.
Tori James – adventurer and the first Welsh woman to climb Mount Everest.
Katie Owen – DJ and social media influencer.
Ian Gwyn Hughes – Head of Public Relations at the Football Association of Wales.

The four ambassadors will represent the Centre, sharing their personal experiences of the Welsh language, and promoting the work of the Learn Welsh sector. They will also support recruitment campaigns, encouraging people from all backgrounds to begin learning Welsh, or to continue their language journey.

The scheme reflects the Centre’s vision to attract and support a wide range of audiences to learn and use Welsh, including workforces, communities, key sectors such as Health and Social Care, the Education Workforce and Sport, young people and families.

The Centre is launching the scheme at the Urdd Eisteddfod. It works in partnership with the Urdd to provide a range of opportunities for the organisation’s staff, and the young people using its services, to strengthen their Welsh language skills or to begin learning the language.

The Centre is also pleased to support the Urdd’s medals for young Welsh learners, the Bobi Jones Medal for learners aged 19 years’ old and above, and the Learners’ Medal for learners aged under 19 years.

Dona Lewis, Chief Executive of the National Centre for Learning Welsh, said: “Creating new Welsh speakers is the Centre’s main aim, supporting them to use and enjoy the language with confidence in their everyday lives.

“I’m pleased to say the Learn Welsh sector is going from strength to strength, with more people than ever completing our courses.

“We’re delighted to welcome a group of passionate ambassadors who will share their experiences of the Welsh language and help promote and celebrate our work. We’re proud to launch this new scheme at the Urdd Eisteddfod, one of our partners.

“The Centre works creatively and in partnership across different sectors, providing one, single learning pathway to becoming a Welsh speaker. We are all here to welcome and support our learners and new speakers at every stage of their language journey.”

Aleighcia Scott said: “I’m delighted to take part in this scheme. Learning Welsh has been an important personal journey for me, and it has opened new doors – both creatively and socially.”

Tori James said: “Learning a new skill can be a bit like climbing a mountain – it can be a challenge, but every small step is a success!

“I’m very pleased to have the opportunity to support people to take their first step into learning Welsh, and to keep going – it’s a journey well worth taking.”

Katie Owen said: “I’d always wanted to learn Welsh, and it has been the best thing I’ve done. The Welsh-speaking community is so welcoming, and the National Centre for Learning Welsh offers so many opportunities to learn and use the language.”

Ian Gwyn Hughes said: “Welsh belongs to all of us, and it has been fantastic to see the positive response to our use of the language at the Football Association of Wales. I look forward to supporting the Centre’s work to extend the use of Welsh in all kinds of contexts.”