News

Minister gives approval to school reorganisation proposals

Published

10 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.”

News

Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

Published

1 hour ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

News

Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

News

Teenager intervenes after bridge incident

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER was left shaken after stepping in to help a young woman in distress on Clay Lanes bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Herald understands the 18-year-old was walking through Clay Lanes at around 4:10am when he noticed a young woman standing on the road bridge over the bypass.

Concerned that something was wrong, he approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. When she remained polite but dismissive, he walked a short distance away and called police before returning to stay nearby.

According to information passed to The Herald, officers arrived a short time later. It is understood the young woman then attempted to go over the bridge, but the teenager pulled her back to safety as police responded and called for further assistance.

His father, who contacted The Herald, said the young man had been badly shaken by the incident.