News
Strikes: Pembrokeshire schools and classes to close this week
SEVEN Pembrokeshire schools will close and 16 will be partially closed during Wednesday’s strikes by teachers.
A series of strikes by National Education Union (NEU) members are to go ahead after talks failed to achieve a breakthrough in a dispute over pay.
Discussions between Education Minister Jeremy Miles and unions failed to resolve the dispute.
They were offered a one-off payment but union officials said the proposals did not meet pay demands.
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) is taking industrial action short of a strike, including only doing some tasks in core hours and not covering striking staff.
Pembrokeshire schools facing partial closure include Haverfordwest High VC School, Ysgol Harri Tudur, and Tenby’s Ysgol Greenhill.
In a letter to parents, Haverfordwest High VC School headteacher Jane Harries said: “After undertaking a full risk assessment I am writing to inform you that next Wednesday, February 1, Haverfordwest High will only be open for pupils in Year 11 and Year 12.
“In addition, pupils in Year 13 who are scheduled to complete internal examinations on the morning of February 1 should attend their examination as scheduled.
“This is due to the number of staff potentially involved in the planned industrial action by members of the NEU teaching union.
“Pupils in these Year Groups (11 and 12) should attend school and follow their usual timetable. A reminder that those pupils in Year 11 who study triple GCSE Science will be sitting their Biology Part B write up under examination conditions at 11.30am. Pupils will need to bring work and revision materials to use in the event of any of their teachers not being in school.
“Sorry but it is not possible for us to notify you of what classes will be affected, but I can assure you that any classes affected will be supervised whilst pupils undertake private study.
“Unfortunately, the school will be closed to pupils in years 7-10. School buses will run as normal, and the catering team will provide meals onsite with a direct payment made to those entitled to free school meals pupils. I will continue to review these arrangements and inform you of any changes if they are necessary.”
Earlier this week, a Pembrokeshire County Council spokesperson said it was anticipated that as many as 30 of the county’s 60 schools could be closed.
“There are approximately 360 staff who are eligible to take part in the planned industrial action. This is around a third of our teaching workforce.
“We anticipate some closures in our secondary schools and a number of primaries. This is county-wide and we expect schools to be planning for those in the next couple of weeks.”
Closures on Wednesday, 1 February:
• Waldo Williams Primary School
• Coastlands
• Stepaside CP School
• Mary Immaculate RC School
• Portfield
• Gelliswick VC School
• Broad Haven
Partial closures
• Pembroke Dock Community School
• Ysgol Gelli Aur
• St Francis RC School
• Ysgol Ger y Llan
• Haverfordwest High VC School
• Pennar Community School
• St Oswalds VA School
• St Mark’s VA School
• Ysgol Glannau Gwaun
• Ysgol Harri Tudur
• Prendergast
• Fenton
• Milford Haven Community School
• Ysgol Greenhill
• Goodwick
• Hook
Wednesday, 1 February is the first of four planned strike days over pay by teachers and support staff – the others are 14 February, 15 March and 16 March.
The unions, councils and Welsh government say they want to keep talking to try to resolve the dispute.
David Evans, Wales Secretary of the NEU union, confirmed unions had been offered a “one off non-consolidated payment”.
But said it “doesn’t go anywhere near meeting ours and the other unions’ demands”.
Jeremy Miles, Minister for Education and Minister for the Welsh Language in the Welsh Government, said: “I want to assure the education workforce that I am listening to your concerns and remain committed to working with unions and local authorities to seek a resolution.
“As a government we believe that disputes should be resolved by negotiation.
“During the meeting we discussed a one-off cash payment over and above the 2022-23 pay award and a series of non-pay issues, including a commitment to address workload issues.”
- Bruce Sinclair is the Local Democracy Reporter for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion
A MAN from Tamworth has been sent to Crown Court to face trial over allegations including intentional strangulation and assaulting an emergency worker in Pembrokeshire.
Luke Nimmo, aged 30, of Crossfell, Stonydelph, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), charged with three offences arising from an incident on April 5, 2025.
The charges include:
- Intentional strangulation, contrary to the Serious Crime Act 2015.
- Assault by beating of an emergency worker.
- Assault by beating.
Nimmo pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault by beating. No plea was entered to the other two charges.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates sent the case to Crown Court for trial. Nimmo was granted conditional bail until his next hearing.
The bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Mike Kelleher appeared for the defence, and Dennis Davies prosecuted on behalf of CPS Wales (South West).
A MONKTON man has admitted stealing from shops on two consecutive days and now awaits sentencing.
Dylan Newton, aged 26, of Colley Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a shop.
The court heard that Newton committed the first offence on April 3, 2025, and a second theft the following day, April 4. Details of the items taken and the stores involved were not disclosed in open court.
Newton entered guilty pleas to both charges and was represented by Tom Lloyd. Dennis Davies prosecuted for CPS Wales (South West).
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, accepted the pleas. Sentencing has been adjourned.
A MILFORD HAVEN man has admitted assaulting emergency workers and possessing an offensive weapon during an incident in the town last month.
Adam Williams, aged 38, of Richard John Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he faced five charges relating to events on March 16, 2025.
Williams pleaded guilty to:
- Three counts of common assault on emergency workers,
- Possession of an offensive weapon in a public place,
- Using a motor vehicle without third-party insurance.
All five offences occurred on the same date and involved police attending a disturbance in Milford Haven.
The court heard that Williams was found in possession of the weapon and assaulted three emergency workers during the incident. He was also found to be driving without valid insurance.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick and sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, noted the seriousness of the offences, which were aggravated by the victims’ status as emergency service personnel.
Dennis Davies prosecuted on behalf of CPS Wales (South West), and Jess Hill appeared for the defence.
The weapon was ordered to be forfeited and destroyed. Williams was also ordered to pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.
The case was adjourned for sentencing.
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