News

Haverfordwest: Comprehensive school placed into special measures

Published

8 years ago

July 6, 2016

stp A SECOND Haverfordwest secondary school has been placed in special measures by Estyn following a monitoring visit which concluded insufficient progress had been made against recommendations made in January 2015.

Sir Thomas Picton School was found to have made ‘limited progress’ against four out of five recommendations made previously by school inspectors.

While the report noted an improvement in Key Stage Three results, particularly among boys, results at Key Stage Four had fallen back. In addition, school attendance was ‘below modelled’ levels. Meanwhile two staff training issues, relating to self-evaluation and effective middle-leadership, had been resolved by only a minority of the staff concerned.

The background to the report has been the long-term absence of Dr Nick Poole, who has now retired as Headteacher at the school, in combination with the approach of Pembrokeshire County Council, which wants to close it.

In addition, the uncertainty surrounding the future of the school, exacerbated by the Council’s total failure to harmonise its plans for the future of secondary provision in Pembrokeshire or present them in a lawful way, has caused key staff members to leave the school, particularly at the end of the last academic year.

As a result of the finding, newly qualified teachers will not be permitted to carry out induction at Sir Thomas Picton School.

Pembrokeshire Council and the school has to devise an urgent action plan to address the shortcomings identified in the report.

Plaid Cymru’s Simon Thomas, Mid and West AM, said: “It is disappointing to hear that the school has not made sufficient progress in key areas since a previous inspection in January 2015.

“I’m afraid Pembrokeshire Council has to get its act together when it comes to education. Compare their record with neighbouring Plaid-led Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire Council and it is found wanting. For the sake of our children, we need change at the top of Pembrokeshire Council.

“Plaid Cymru has asked for a statement from the Cabinet Secretary for Education. I’ve written to the school to ask as an Assembly Member what support I can give and alerted my shadow cabinet colleague Llyr Gruffydd who is responsible for education.”

A statement from Pembrokeshire County Council said: “The Acting Headteacher, Tracy Edwards, together with the governing body of Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, recognises fully the findings of the recent Estyn monitoring visit which has placed the school into the statutory category of special measures.”

While disappointed that there has only been limited progress made against four of the recommendations set out as part of the full inspection report, very good progress has been made against one and the school is working effectively to embed improved systems and processes to bring about the expected increase in outcomes.

“The school will work closely with Estyn to further monitor progress against the recommendations.

“The staff at Sir Thomas Picton School are wholly committed to improving standards, developing learning, and ensuring that the children are able to fully achieve in a caring and safe environment.”

A school governor told The Herald: “It cannot be just a coincidence that the two Haverfordwest secondary schools find themselves in special measures at the same time, and during the two-year period of fiasco consultations running about secondary education in Haverfordwest.

“The potential for losing sixth forms has caused much heartache amongst the staff at both schools. Many have been demoralised and a great many of perhaps our better teachers (not all though) have left for more appealing pastures.”

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

5 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”