News
Pembrokeshire school banding results released – how did yours perform?
THE PERFORMANCE of schools across Pembrokeshire has been released by The Welsh Government today (Jan 31).
The National School Categorisation System, introduced in 2014, places schools into one of four colour-coded support categories to demonstrate the level of support they need – green, yellow, amber and red.
Last year a change was made to the factors that decide a school’s category. There is now a much broader assessment that considers a wider variety of information including wellbeing and the quality of teaching and learning, rather than just looking at areas such as performance, including GCSE results.
The purpose of including a broader and more sophisticated range of factors is to understand the kind of support needed by a school and to give parents a better picture of how a school is performing.
Here is a list of how Pembrokeshire’s schools performed:
GREEN
Sageston CP
Lamphey CP
Puncheston CP
Wolfscastle CP
Templeton CP
Tavernspite CP
Pembroke Dock CP
Monkton Priory CP
Cleddau Reach VC
Manorbier
St Francis RC
St Oswalds VA
YELLOW
Eglwyswrw CP
Goodwick CP
Hook CP
Johnston CP
Llanchllwydog CP
Maenclochog CP
Narberth CP
St Dogmaels CP
Stepaside CP
Roch CP
Prendergast CP
Pennar community
Neyland community
Ysgol Hafan Y Mor
Cilgerran VC
Cosheton VC
St Florence VC
Tenby Church in Wales VC
Gelliswick Church in Wales VC
Holy Name RC
Mary Immaculate RC
St Aidans VA
St Marks VA
Ysgol Caer Elen
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi
AMBER
Bryn Conin CP
Ysgol Bro Ingli
Mount Airey CP
Croesgoch CP
Broad Haven CP
Golden Grove CP
Milford Haven CP
Haverfordwest VC
St Teilo RC
RED
Fenton CP
Saundersfoot CP
Coastlands CP
Spittal VC
St Marys RC
In summary:
- 88.4% of primary schools and 69.4% of secondary schools are now in the green and yellow categories. This increase from last year continues the upward trend since 2015.
- There has been a rise in the number of schools in the green category – those schools requiring least support – by 6.2 percentage points to 41.6%.
- The proportion of red schools – those identified as needing most support – is around the same as last year (a small decrease on 0.1 per cent) in the primary sector. In the secondary sector, this has decreased by 1.8 percentage points.
- 52.5 % of special schools have been categorised as green, and needing less support, with no schools categorised as red and in need of most support.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams said: “I’m pleased to see that even more of our schools are now in the green and yellow categories, continuing on with the upward trend we have seen over the past few years.
“These schools have a key role to play in supporting other schools to improve by sharing their expertise, skills and good practice.
“The system has become more sophisticated over time and now allows for a much broader range of factors about a school’s ability to improve to be taken into account – leading to a tailored programme of support and intervention which meets the needs of all pupils.”
A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said: The categorisation process in schools in Pembrokeshire has been reliable, rigorous, accurate, and carried out in accordance with the national categorisation model.
“The colour generates the amount of support the schools need to move forward at pace.
“Each school that requires red support is aware of the improvements that they need to make and is working collaboratively with the local authority and regional consortium to make the necessary improvements.”
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
-
News21 hours ago
Ferry accident causes delay on new Dublin-Fishguard route
-
Top News5 days ago
Pembrokeshire man jailed after repeatedly punching pregnant wife
-
Top News4 days ago
Police investigate dogs seen persistently chasing sheep on Pembrokeshire airfield
-
News6 days ago
Dyfed-Powys Police launches attempted murder investigation
-
News6 days ago
Heroes of the storm: How Council workers rallied during rare red wind warning
-
Top News5 days ago
Milford man dealt ‘persistent’ blows on girlfriend after urinating in flat
-
News5 days ago
Engine room fire caused by loose fuel pipe connection previously flagged
-
Top News5 days ago
Caws Cenarth ‘matriarch’, Thelma Adams, dies aged 86