Local school placements helped Millie Brace gain the experience and connections needed to begin her career at Templeton Primary School

A SAUNDERSFOOT student is celebrating after graduating from the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and securing a teaching job in Pembrokeshire before completing her degree.

Millie Brace graduated this week with a BA in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status from UWTSD’s Carmarthen campus.

She will begin her first teaching post at Templeton Primary School in September.

Millie said the opportunity to remain close to home and complete placements in Pembrokeshire schools had been a major factor in her decision to study at UWTSD.

“I chose UWTSD because it allowed me to stay close to my family and continue living at home while studying, which was important to me,” she said.

“Another key reason was the opportunity to complete local teaching placements.

“I knew how competitive teaching jobs can be in Pembrokeshire, so gaining experience in local schools was a great way to build professional connections and develop an understanding of the schools and communities I want to work in.”

Her placements allowed her to gain experience in a range of classrooms and helped her develop the confidence needed to apply for teaching roles.

“Before graduating, I was delighted to secure a teaching position at an amazing primary school in my local area,” she said.

Millie praised the support she received from university staff, school mentors and teachers during her final placement at Lamphey Primary School.

“Although I had not previously taught that particular year group, I received fantastic support from my class mentors and staff at Lamphey Primary School,” she said.

“Their knowledge and experience, combined with the research and understanding I developed through my course and assignments, greatly increased my confidence.”

Millie said the flexibility of the degree allowed her to explore subjects linked directly to her classroom experience and professional development.

“My favourite thing about the course was the flexibility of the assignments,” she said.

“They allowed me to explore topics that genuinely interested me and focus on areas that reflected my personal development targets from placements.

“This made the work feel relevant to my experiences in the classroom and helped me connect theory with practice.”

She also valued the sense of community at the Carmarthen campus and the friendships she formed with other student teachers.

“One of the biggest challenges during my studies was adapting to different placement schools and managing the increasing expectations placed on me as I progressed,” she said.

“Each school had its own routines, approaches and learning environments.

“What helped me most was the support of other student teachers. We shared resources, exchanged ideas and helped each other with lesson planning and preparation.”

Outside her studies, Millie continued to enjoy the Pembrokeshire coastline, spending her spare time paddleboarding, walking her dog and learning to surf.

She said she would recommend UWTSD to anyone considering a career in teaching.

“The course provided excellent placement opportunities, allowing me to gain valuable experience in local schools and build professional connections that helped me secure a teaching job before graduating,” she said.

“I have also made friends for life, and the relationships I built have been one of the most rewarding parts of my university experience.”

Millie will now take the next step in her career when she joins Templeton Primary School at the beginning of the new academic year.

The 38-year-old died after a collision between a van and a bus near Llandeilo

THE FAMILY of a man who died following a collision on the A40 have paid tribute to him, saying they have been left “utterly heartbroken” by their sudden loss.

Ashley Wayne Keane, aged 38, was the driver of a van involved in the collision between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig at around 4.25pm on Friday, July 3.

Emergency services attended the scene, but Mr Keane sadly died following the collision.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “We are utterly heartbroken by the sudden and tragic loss of Ashley Wayne Keane.

“He will forever be in our hearts, and as his family, we kindly ask for privacy to grieve this devastating loss.”

Police have asked that the family’s request for privacy is respected.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has praised the former minister’s “conviction and dedication”, while political figures in Wales remembered her as fearless, honest and a powerful public speaker

WELSH politicians have joined tributes to former Conservative minister and Reform UK campaigner Ann Widdecombe after police launched a murder investigation into her death.

The 78-year-old was found dead with serious injuries at her home in Haytor, on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon, at around midday on Thursday, July 9.

Devon and Cornwall Police said officers were called to the address by the ambulance service.

A murder inquiry has now been launched, with police seeking a white male believed to be connected with her death.

Detective Chief Inspector Ilona Rosson said the investigation was in its early stages but was moving at a significant pace.

She said: “We are deploying all of the necessary resources to find out exactly what has happened and to locate the person responsible, who we believe to be a white male.”

A cordon remains around the property while specialist officers carry out forensic examinations.

Police have appealed for anyone with information, or with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage from the Haytor Vale area, to come forward.

Officers have also urged people not to speculate online while the investigation continues.

Prime Minister pays tribute

A spokeswoman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described Widdecombe as “a distinctive figure in British politics”.

She said the Prime Minister was saddened by her death and “pays tribute to the conviction and dedication with which she served her country”.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the circumstances surrounding Widdecombe’s death as “extremely distressing”.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called her a “formidable politician” who was never afraid to speak her mind.

She said: “My deepest condolences and those of the Conservative Party to the family and friends of Ann Widdecombe.

“She was a formidable politician who was never afraid to speak her mind and fought hard for what she believed.

“Always true to herself, her politics were strongly guided by her faith and her values. Rest in peace, Ann.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said Widdecombe’s decision to stand for the Brexit Party in the 2019 European elections had been a major boost to the campaign.

He said: “The voters loved her. She played a decisive role in getting Brexit over the line and will be missed by us all.”

Tributes from Wales

Reform UK Wales said it was “incredibly sad” to hear of Widdecombe’s death.

The party described her as “a true patriot and a fierce champion of Brexit”, noting her prominent involvement with both the Brexit Party and Reform UK.

Reform UK Senedd member Laura Anne Jones said she had met and listened to Widdecombe speak on several occasions.

She described her as “a true powerhouse and a very clever and eloquent speaker”, who always stood up powerfully for her beliefs.

Ms Jones added that her thoughts were with Widdecombe’s family and friends.

Fellow Reform UK Senedd member Llŷr Powell said he first met Widdecombe during the Brexit Party campaign in 2019.

He described her as “a true force in British politics, principled, fearless and never afraid to stand up for what she believed in”.

Former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies also paid tribute.

He said: “I’m so sorry to hear Ann Widdecombe has died.

“You always knew where you stood with Ann. She was honest, straight-talking and always sincere in her beliefs.”

The Welsh reaction reflects Widdecombe’s continued influence within Reform UK, which has become a significant force in Senedd politics.

Although she never represented a Welsh constituency, she campaigned alongside politicians who later became leading figures in Reform UK Wales and remained one of the party’s best-known national spokespeople.

Long political career

Widdecombe served as Conservative MP for Maidstone and later Maidstone and The Weald from 1987 until 2010.

She held several ministerial positions under former prime minister Sir John Major, including employment minister and prisons minister.

Known for her socially conservative views and forceful debating style, she became one of Westminster’s most recognisable personalities.

She famously criticised former Conservative leader Michael Howard by saying there was “something of the night” about him.

After leaving the House of Commons, Widdecombe became widely known to a new audience through television appearances, including Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity Big Brother.

A prominent Eurosceptic, she left the Conservatives and joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019.

She was elected to the European Parliament for South West England and served as an MEP until the United Kingdom left the European Union.

She later became involved with Reform UK and remained an active campaigner and media commentator until shortly before her death.

Her management company said her life had been driven by strong Christian values and a commitment to public service.

It said: “Ann was a valued patron of many causes, particularly her animal charities.

“A consummate professional and a delight to work with, indefatigable to the last, we know this news will come as a great shock to the many colleagues and friends she made along the way.”

No arrests had been announced at the time of publication.

Anyone with information should contact Devon and Cornwall Police, quoting Operation Hunlen.