News

Minister gives approval to school reorganisation proposals

Published

9 years ago

September 12, 2016

shutterstock_299655935 THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION, Kirsty Williams AM, has approved proposals to reorganise education in Fishguard and St David’s.

The Minister’s approval follows consultation with pupils, parents, staff, governors and other various consultees during the autumn of 2015 and the subsequent publication of a Statutory Notice in November 2015.

The Minister’s approval paves the way for the following:

The closure of Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Bro Dewi VA and Solva CP Schools on August 31 2018;
The establishment of a new 3-16 Church in Wales VA school in St David’s with effect from September 1 2018, utilising the sites of the constituent schools;
A reduction in the age range of Ysgol Bro Gwaun to 11-16 with effect from September 1 2018;
The establishment of a new Learning Resource Centre for pupils with Complex Learning Needs at Ysgol Bro Gwaun;
The establishment of a new sixth form centre as part of a formal collaboration between the County Council and Pembrokeshire College for post 16 pupils of the above schools.

In parallel with the above, work will soon commence on the building of new premises at Ysgol Bro Gwaun and work is ongoing to develop the 3-16 model across the three school sites in the St David’s area as part of the Council’s 21st Century Schools Programme.

To accommodate post-16 learners from Ysgol Dewi Sant and Ysgol Bro Gwaun, work on an Advanced Learning Centre is already underway at Pembrokeshire College. Funded by Pembrokeshire College and Welsh Government, the £6.6m new build will open in September 2017 and will support and promote inspirational teaching in sector leading learning environments.

Cllr. David Lloyd, Chair of Governors of Ysgol Dewi Sant and Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The approval of the proposals for Ysgol Bro Gwaun, education provision in St David’s and the new A Level Centre in Haverfordwest by the new Minister Kirsty Williams following ten months of intense scrutiny is a mark of how well received the Authority’s carefully considered plans were.

“It is a landmark decision, which provides a source of considerable optimism for the future of educational provision in the county offering the real possibility of raising our pupil outcomes to rank amongst the highest in Wales. I am excited by the challenge ahead. We are on the march, I have no doubt.”

College Principal Sharron Lusher commented: “What we are planning represents a huge investment in education in Pembrokeshire. Our new Advanced Learning Centre, alongside further improvements to the College campus, will benefit all our learners and builds on our commitment to providing the best educational opportunities possible for the young people of Pembrokeshire.”

Cllr Jamie Adams, Leader of the Council, said: “The Minister’s decision is an important milestone in reorganising secondary education provision in Pembrokeshire. The Council and the local communities made a strong, evidence-based case for change and the impact will be felt by all learners in the Fishguard and St David’s areas. The decision ensures that secondary education provision will be maintained, albeit within a different delivery model.

“These proposals have faced many challenges during the last 12 months or so, but the Minister’s decision vindicates the Council’s desire to change the shape of provision in Fishguard and St David’s for the better and the contribution of the communities in developing a model in partnership with the Council that both addressed the challenges and secured a future for the next generation.”

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of serious allegations following his appearance in the latest magistrates’ court register.

David Guy, 49, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared in court facing multiple charges, all of which have now been deemed too serious for summary trial.

Multiple charges listed in register

The new magistrates’ register shows Guy charged with several offences arising from the same case file. Although individual charge descriptions were not expanded in open court, the register confirms the allegations include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second assault charge
Criminal damage
A further interpersonal violence allegation
A public order offence

All entries relate to the same incident and prosecution reference, presented as a multi-count case.

Defendant remanded into custody

Magistrates ruled that their sentencing powers were insufficient and sent the entire case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.

Guy was remanded in custody, with the register stating: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A hearing date will now be fixed administratively by the Crown Court. Until then, Guy remains remanded.

The Herald will provide updates once the Crown Court listing is confirmed.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

15 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string of alleged offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, 40, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, faces six linked charges arising from incidents reported to have taken place earlier this year. Alcock, who did not enter pleas during the administrative hearings, appeared on several occasions as the court dealt with bail issues and case management.

Multiple assault allegations
The charges listed before magistrates include:
Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional strangulation
Common assault of a woman
Criminal damage relating to a domestic incident
Further assault allegations linked to the same complainant
A breach of bail conditions

The court heard that Alcock had previously been granted conditional bail. However, he was brought back before magistrates twice during the same reporting period for alleged breaches of those conditions, resulting in updated bail decisions.

Bail breached — defendant remanded

On two separate entries in the court register, Alcock was listed as having breached his bail, leading magistrates to remand him into custody pending the next hearing. On other dates within the same week, he was again re-released on conditional bail, with strict terms imposed, including restrictions on contact with the complainant and exclusions from certain locations.

He is now remanded on conditional bail with his next appearance set for Swansea Crown Court, where the more serious matters — including the alleged non-fatal strangulation — will be dealt with.

Case sent to Crown Court

Magistrates directed that the case is too serious to be heard locally and must proceed to the Crown Court for trial or sentence.

The Herald understands that all listed charges fall under the same prosecution reference, indicating they form part of a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution. No further details were opened in court at this stage.

Crime

Rogue roofer conned homeowner out of thousands

Published

32 minutes ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Caerphilly investigation leads to court conviction

A ROGUE trader from Pembroke has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after duping a homeowner into handing over thousands for unnecessary roofing work.

Douggie Whitbread, aged twenty-five and living at Coldwell Terrace, Pembroke, persuaded his victim that he “probably needed a new roof” before charging £4,350 for work that was either unnecessary or not carried out properly.

Whitbread admitted two counts of fraud relating to a property on Griffiths Street, Ystrad Mynach, with the offences taking place between August 12 and October 16, 2023.

He appeared before Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court, where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,130. That includes £4,350 in compensation, £1,500 in prosecution costs, a £200 fine, and an £80 victim surcharge.

The case was brought following an investigation by Caerphilly Trading Standards, who urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited offers of home maintenance work.