Education
College to launch Energy Transition Skills Hub supported by Shell UK
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PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE says it is delighted to announce that it is working with Shell UK to develop an Energy Transition Skills Hub on the College site in Haverfordwest.
The Energy Transition Skills Hub is currently one of three supported by Shell UK and will focus on providing people with the skills and knowledge to find employment in renewable and low-carbon energy projects through an immersive and interactive learning experience.
The facility aims to train 600 individuals by July 2026, providing Pembrokeshire and West Wales with a pool of talent that will have knowledge and experience of control systems needed for projects such as offshore floating wind farms and the Haven hydrogen power plants.
With renewables and low-carbon technology high on the agenda, both locally and nationally, the facility comes at an important time for the energy sector.
The state-of-the-art onsite Control Room will enable training in control systems for a wide range of sectors including: Offshore Floating Wind; Hydrogen Plant; Solar PV; Tidal/Marine and gas power stations.
The programme is supported by Shell UK and the Swansea Bay City Deal Skills and Talent Fund and responds directly to the needs of local companies as well as those from further afield who are looking to invest in the region. The Hub, which is scheduled to open this summer, will also support the local community and schools by giving them the opportunity to understand more about how energy transition will impact the way we live and work in the future.
Arwyn Williams, Head of Faculty at Pembrokeshire College states: “We are delighted to be working with Shell UK on the development of the Control Room training facility. Many of our learners and those looking to upskill will benefit from understanding more about the control systems through practical experience. Having the capability to train people for emerging sectors such as Offshore Floating Wind and Hydrogen will give them a real advantage when the opportunities become available.”
Anthony Harte, Shell UK Social Impact Manager, says: “We are pleased to be working closely with Pembrokeshire College on the development of the Energy Transition Skills Hub. This will be one in a series of hubs across Britain that Shell UK is investing in, with a view to help upskill and train the workforce of the future. Shell UK ‘s Skills Transition Programme aims to help 15,000 people into jobs, with a focus on the energy transition by 2035. We want as many people as possible to benefit from the energy system of the future, so that the transition is an opportunity for all.”
Education
Whitland School goes into lockdown following threats to pupils
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YSGOL Dyffryn Taf in Whitland went into partial lockdown on Wednesday (Sept 11) after two pupils received a threatening message on social media.
In response to the threat, the school implemented safety measures, locking all external doors during lesson times. Staff were positioned to supervise corridors, and pupils were instructed to remain in their classrooms. The lockdown was lifted later in the afternoon, and the school resumed normal operations today.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed: “Concerns were raised following a threatening message made on social media against two pupils of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf. The school took appropriate safeguarding action, which concluded swiftly. To provide reassurance, officers from the local neighbourhood policing team were present at the end of the school day. Police enquiries are ongoing.”
Parents and carers were promptly informed of the situation once the school became aware of the threats. In a statement posted on Facebook, Alun Owen, headteacher of Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, explained: “I am writing to inform you that I had to take the decision to place the school into a state of partial lockdown this afternoon. This precautionary measure was in response to information we received earlier today.
“We locked all external doors during lessons. Teaching and learning continued as normal, but pupils remained in class at all times. Staff supervised corridors and the site perimeter.”
Mr Owen confirmed that the partial lockdown has since been lifted, stating: “The risk associated with this incident has now passed.”
Police continue their investigation into the origins of the social media threats.
Parents and pupils have been reassured that appropriate actions were taken to safeguard the school community.
Education
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro opens its doors to pupils for the first time
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FOLLOWING the successful completion and handover of the new-build school, Ysgol Bro Penfro opened its doors to pupils for the first time on Thursday 5th September. The school represents an exciting new chapter for Welsh medium education in Pembrokeshire and will serve as a Welsh medium primary school for the whole of the south west of Pembrokeshire.
The Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro building project has been funded by the Welsh Government through its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, and Pembrokeshire County Council, and provides full day-care for up to 36 children aged 0-11 years, a 30 place nursery, and capacity for up to 210 pupils (Reception to Year 6).
The school represents a landmark project, not only for its status as a Welsh medium school, but also due to it being the first school in Pembrokeshire to be delivered to meet stringent Net Zero Carbon requirements.
The school was built by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd with approximately 21% of all sub contracts being awarded to Pembrokeshire companies.
Cllr. Guy Woodham Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said:
“I am delighted to see Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro open its doors to pupils for the first time. This new school is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality Welsh medium education and creating sustainable, state-of-the-art learning environments.
“The investment in this project not only supports the educational needs of our children but also reinforces our dedication to environmental responsibility. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this school will have on our community and the future generations of Pembrokeshire.”
The school’s Executive Headteacher, Dafydd Hughes, said that he was delighted to be in a position to welcome pupils to the new school.
“It is pleasing that nearly 140 children have come through the doors of this fantastic new facility and I am certain that we can ensure that we develop a successful educational setting which will provide pupils with the opportunity to thrive and flourish in a fully Welsh medium setting. The focus will be on innovation and excellence in all aspects of the school’s daily work whether supporting pupils from an academic perspective or from a well-being perspective. I want them to be proud of their language, their community and their school.”
The Council’s two Welsh Language Champions, Cllr Delme Harries and Cllr Aled Thomas added: “We are delighted that Ysgol Bro Penfro has opened and that the Council has invested in a new Welsh medium school to serve the wider Pembroke area. This investment, and Cabinet’s decision to widen the school’s catchment area, will further enable the expansion, and access to Welsh medium education in the county.”
Education
Pandemic impact on Welsh reading standards still felt, says Estyn
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A NEW report by Estyn has highlighted the ongoing negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pupils’ Welsh reading skills, emphasising the importance of promoting reading across the curriculum. The report, published today, explores how Welsh and bilingual schools are developing these crucial skills, revealing significant variations in reading standards among pupils aged 10 to 14.
The report, titled Developing Pupils’ Welsh Reading Skills from 10-14 Years of Age, outlines how the pandemic has affected pupils’ confidence and ability to read and communicate in Welsh. The findings indicate that, despite efforts by schools, many pupils continue to struggle with Welsh reading, and wide disparities remain between primary, secondary, and all-age schools.
Owen Evans, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales, said: “It is unsurprising that we are still seeing the negative impact of the pandemic on pupils’ Welsh reading skills. However, our new report highlights good practice from schools and offers practical toolkits to help teachers develop pupils’ Welsh reading skills.”
The report identifies Welsh lessons and language sessions, as well as humanities subjects, as key areas where the most effective opportunities to develop reading skills occur. While many primary schools, and a few secondary schools, have successfully promoted reading for pleasure, the overall experiences designed to foster reading outside the classroom have decreased significantly, particularly in secondary schools, since the pandemic.
One of the challenges highlighted in the report is the difficulty of co-ordinating the development of reading skills consistently across different subjects and teachers, especially in secondary schools. This contrasts with primary schools, where a more unified approach is typically easier to implement.
Estyn has called for schools to strengthen opportunities for pupils to develop a broad range of reading skills across the curriculum. The inspectorate recommends that local authorities and the Welsh Government support schools in this endeavour. The report also presents a number of practical recommendations for school leaders, including a suite of toolkits designed to help teaching staff promote and enhance pupils’ reading abilities.
Evans added: “There are clear opportunities to improve how clusters of schools can work together to develop pupils’ reading skills and create more purposeful opportunities to nurture Welsh reading across the curriculum. Improving reading standards is a national priority, and we hope this report will help schools plan strategically to boost pupils’ interest, resilience, and confidence when reading in Welsh.”
Estyn’s report serves as a crucial reminder of the long-lasting effects of the pandemic on education, with a focus on how Welsh reading skills can be improved through a more integrated approach across all subjects. The inspectorate hopes that the report’s findings will spur school leaders, teachers, and policymakers to continue efforts in raising the standard of Welsh reading for pupils across Wales.
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