Pembrokeshire County Council Cyngor Sir Penfro CHILDREN

Pembrokeshire County Council Cyngor Sir Penfro

CHILDREN & SCHOOLS

Future Primary Education Provision in the Milford Haven Area

CONSULTATION REPORT

Kate Evan-Hughes Director for Children and Schools

February 2017

Published by:

Pembrokeshire County Council Children & Schools Directorate County Hall Haverfordwest SA61 1TP

February 2017

For a copy of this publication in Braille, in larger print or audio tape, or an alternative language, please contact Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 776613

Foreword

Pembrokeshire County Council is responsible for promoting high educational standards and for delivering efficient primary and secondary education. Having the right schools in the right places and ensuring that they are fit for the 21st century learner is a challenge facing councils across Wales.

Meeting this challenge involves reviewing the number and type of school the Council has in its area and assessing whether or not best use is being made of its resources and facilities.

The Council reviews its provision on the basis of:  Quality and future sustainability of educational provision  Sufficiency and accessibility of school places  The condition, suitability and standard of school buildings  Value for money

This Consultation Report sets out the statutory consultation undertaken regarding the case for change to the primary education provision in the Milford Haven area. In addition, all responses received during the consultation period are recorded, together with a summary of each of the issues raised by consultees. These are accompanied by a clarification or rejection (as appropriate) of any concerns.

Pembrokeshire County Council will consider this Consultation Report at its meeting on 2nd March 2017.

Kate Evan-Hughes Director for Children and Schools

Contents

1. Introduction 1

2. Distribution of Consultation Report 2

3. Consultation Arrangements 3 3.1. General Arrangements 3.2. Stakeholder Meetings 3.3. Consultation with the Diocese of Menevia

4. Consultation Correspondence 4 4.1. Volume and Profile of Responses received 4.2. Response from Estyn

5. Consultation Responses 5 5.1. General consensus 5.2. Issues / Concerns regarding The Meads/Milford Haven Juniors 5.3. Issues / Concerns regarding St Francis Catholic Primary School 5.4. Issues raised by Estyn

APPENDIX A – Response from Estyn 13

APPENDIX B – Correspondence received 16

APPENDIX C – Performance Data 2016 – My Local School 44

1. Introduction

Pembrokeshire County Council has a statutory duty to secure sufficient and suitable school places in its area and to determine whether it is making the best use of the resources and facilities to deliver the opportunities that children deserve.

Preliminary engagement was undertaken with pupils, parents, staff, governors and the general public on the future direction for primary education provision in the Milford Haven area during the spring of 2016. As a result, the Director for Children and Schools submitted a report to Council in July 2016 in order to report on the findings and to recommend a way forward.

The decision of Pembrokeshire County Council on 14th July 2016 was as follows:

That the Director for Children and Schools be authorised to commence statutory consultation on the proposal to:

a) Discontinue The Meads Infant and Nursery School and Milford Haven Junior School and establish a new 3-11 school using both current school sites;

b) Extend the age range of St Francis Catholic Primary School in order to admit part-time three year old pupils.

The subsequent statutory consultation was undertaken during the period 21st November 2016 to 9th January 2017.

This document represents the County Council’s responsibility as part of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 to publish a Consultation Document. This document:  Summarises each of the issues raised by consultees;  Responds to these issues by means of clarification or rejection of the concerns with supporting reasons, and  Sets out Estyn’s view of the overall merits of the proposal.

2. Distribution of Consultation Report

This Consultation Report will be distributed to the following:

The Governing Bodies of: Parents/carers/guardians and staff of:  The Meads Infant & Nursery School  The Meads Infant & Nursery School  Milford Haven Junior School  Milford Haven Junior School  St Francis Catholic Primary School  St Francis Catholic Primary School  Hakin Community School  Hakin Community School  Hubberston VC School  Hubberston VC School  Coastlands School  Coastlands School  Johnston CP School  Johnston CP School  Neyland CP School  Neyland CP School  Milford Haven School  Milford Haven School Director of Education – Diocese of Director of Education – The Diocese of Menevia St David’s The Welsh Ministers Estyn  Paul Davies AM – Constituency  NUT  Simon Thomas AM – Regional  NASUWT  Joyce Watson AM – Regional  UCAC  Eluned Morgan AM – Regional  ATL  Neil Hamilton AM - Regional  NAHT  Stephen Crabb MP  ASCLE  Cllr. G Woodham – Milford East  UNISON  Cllr S Joseph – Milford Central  GMB  Cllr R Sinnett – Milford West  Cllr S Hudson – Milford North ERW – Regional Education Consortium County Council transport unit Dyfed Powys Police and Crime Milford Haven Town Council Commissioner Independent nursery providers: Childcare & Young People’s Partnership  Registered Day – Early Years, Childcare and Learning Nurseries/Playgroups Group  Registered Childminders  Hywel Dda Health Board Pembrokeshire Communities First  SNAP Cymru  National Autistic Society Carmarthenshire County Council Ceredigion County Council

In addition, this report will be distributed to all consultees who have specifically requested to be advised of its availability.

3. Consultation Arrangements

3.1 General Arrangements The Consultation Document was published on 21st November 2016; this date also represented the beginning of the statutory consultation period. The consultation period ended on 9th January 2017. The Consultation Document was distributed / links sent to all statutory consultees listed on Page 3 of that document.

The Consultation Document was made available on the County Council’s website at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/haveyoursay.

3.2 Stakeholder Meetings The following meetings were arranged with stakeholders:

Staff & Governors Monday 28th November - Milford Haven Junior School Thursday 1st December - St Francis; The Meads Infant School

Community Meetings Monday 12th December - Milford Haven Secondary School Thursday 15th December - St Francis

School Council Meetings Thursday 5th January - Milford Haven Junior School Friday 6th January - The Meads Infant School; St Francis

Those attending the sessions were provided with hard copies of the Consultation Document and response forms; copies of both were left at schools.

3.3 Consultation with the Diocese of Menevia In view of the status of St Francis being a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, consultation with the Director of Education of the Diocese of Menevia has taken place. This took place prior to the publication of the Consultation Document and the decision of Council to proceed to consultation. A 28 day consultation period was allowed for this purpose.

It is the Diocese’s view that extending the age range of St Francis School would “encourage parental preference for St Francis as the children would not have to change schools … as they do currently. In addition to the benefits for St Francis, it is clear that the proposal will alleviate some of the challenges faced by the other two schools concerned and for this reason also I am pleased to support it”.

4. Consultation Correspondence

4.1 Volume and Profile of Responses Received

A total of 104 responses were received via the online web link, general and “pupil-friendly” response forms, emails and letters. The breakdown is as follows:

Online web link / hard copy forms 99 Letters / emails 2 School Councils 3 TOTAL 104

The profile of respondents is given below and reflects all descriptions given. This profile indicates respondents’ role as part of the consultation and may indicate multiple roles, e.g. parent, staff and local resident; as a result the total does not equal the total number of responses received.

The Milford St Francis Total Meads Haven Catholic Junior Pre-school parent 3 Parents 27 11 39 65 Staff 5 1 2 12 Governors 1 Residents 27

4.2 Response from Estyn The County Council has received a detailed response to the proposal from Estyn. Its overall conclusion of the proposal is as follows:

The proposer has provided a clear rationale for the proposal. It links well to the council’s policy of creating all-through primary schools where possible. In addition, extending the age range of St. Francis Catholic School will enable the Council to provide faith based nursery provision in the Milford Haven area. The proposer clearly describes the expected advantages and disadvantages of the proposal. These include the advantages that a new 3-11 primary school can improve transition arrangements, financial effectiveness and greater flexibility in allocating resources.

Despite the lack of detail on certain aspects of the proposal, overall the proposer has presented a satisfactory case to establish a new 3-11 school and extend the age range of St Francis Catholic Primary school. It is Estyn’s view that this proposal is likely to at least maintain the current standards of education in the area.

The full response to the proposal from Estyn is attached in APPENDIX A.

5. Consultation Responses

5.1 General Where respondents chose to utilise the online or hard-copy form provided, they were asked to respond to a small number of questions in order to establish which of the following statements best reflected their views. The findings are as follows:

5.1.1 Please indicate which of the following reflects your views on the proposal to discontinue The Meads Infant and Nursery School and Milford Haven Junior School and establish a new 3-11 school using both current school sites.

Total Number % I do not feel strongly one way or the other 12 12 I support the proposal 68 69 I do not support the proposal 16 16 Left blank 3 3 99

5.1.2 Please indicate which of the following reflects your views on the proposal to extend the age range of St Francis Catholic Primary School in order to admit part-time three year old pupils.

Total Number % I do not feel strongly one way or the other 9 9 I support the proposal 88 89 I do not support the proposal 1 1 Left blank 1 1 99

It is disappointing to note the relatively low response to this consultation, particularly when it is considered that the proposal potentially affects so many people. However, it is clear from the responses received that there is support for the proposal. A list of all comments received during the consultation period is attached as APPENDIX B. A qualitative analysis of these comments has been undertaken and this reveals a number of issues, a detailed list of which, along with the Authority’s appropriate responses, are given below. The aim of the analysis has been to capture, interpret and present the public’s perception in relation to the proposal as faithfully as possible. All comments have been afforded equal weighting, regardless of their source, or the extent of the content.

The correspondence received reveals a number of issues which have been raised by consultees. These reflect both support and areas of concern and are listed below.

5.2 Issues / Concerns regarding The Meads / Milford Haven Juniors

Supportive comments:  The Meads Infants is at full capacity/overcrowded;  Natural progression between infant and junior phases – the two schools already work closely together;  Improved efficiency (i.e. shared resources/management);  An all-through primary approach is in line with the recommendations in the Donaldson report;  A single school would be more effective when dealing with issues of child protection;  The following comments were made in the context of a new build primary school: o The current buildings are not large enough and lack modern facilities – a new build would address these issues; o Would address the vehicular congestion that occurs across the three current sites; o A new build could provide facilities for the entire community.

Reasons given for not supporting the proposal:  Process should be abandoned until funding is available for a new school build  The proposed school will be too large – thus having a detrimental effect on pupils’ learning and/or wellbeing  Concern in relation to the effectiveness of one Headteacher across two large sites  The option of two separate community schools should not have been discounted  Current provision (i.e. separate infant /junior) gives pupils experience of transition from infant to junior prior to their transition from Year 6 to secondary school  Minor expansion of current arrangements is all that’s required  Welsh medium provision should have been proposed  Concern in relation to younger pupils mixing with older children  Current setup does not appear to have affected children throughout the years  Little point in amalgamating, as a school of this size would continue to work with an infant/junior split (i.e. separate playgrounds/halls/lunchtimes/assemblies etc.)

General comments/concerns  Poor access/parking on current sites – traffic flow and parking needs to be considered  Current portacabin provision at The Meads is not acceptable  Any proposal should consider sports facilities, outdoor learning, safe routes to schools, community provision and a SEN unit  Proportional funding should be provided for both schools (the new school and St Francis)  New school could be sited on the Meads Leisure Centre site – thus providing improved sport facilities.  New school could be sited on current St Francis and Meads sites - St Francis RC could then move into current Milford Haven Junior building

Concerns / Authority Response to Concerns Raised Comments The process should be Capital funding can only be received following a detailed and lengthy abandoned pending business case process. Welsh Government has recommended that confirmation of future tranches of funding are likely to require that any statutory availability of capital process has been concluded prior to the commencement of funding. submissions to Welsh Government and it is therefore sensible to undertake this process at the earliest opportunity. The proposal represents a transformational opportunity to address the under- capacity in Milford Haven and so that the necessary funding can be obtained as soon as possible. Concerns at the size of This is a natural concern for parents but it should be noted that upon the proposed school – implementation of the proposal, pupils will remain on the two this will have a existing sites. In the longer term, it is anticipated that capital detrimental effect on investment will be available to build additional capacity. pupils’ learning and/or wellbeing. The following information in relation to large schools is relevant:

 Around 15% of schools in Wales are classed as “large”, i,e. schools having 301 pupils and above;  A report entitled “School size and educational effectiveness” (Estyn, School size and educational effectiveness, Dec 2013) provides compelling evidence which suggests that larger schools “tend to perform better than small and medium-sized schools”.  It is recognised that the key factor in a school’s success is good leadership – “All schools, irrespective of size, can perform well where the quality of leadership is good or excellent…”. In the case of The Meads and Milford Haven Junior schools, Estyn’s most recent inspections indicate that the quality of leadership was good.

Concerns / Authority Response to Concerns Raised Comments  “Large primary schools tend to need less follow-up activity after inspection than small or medium-sized schools”  “Curriculum provision is better in large primary schools. In small schools, there tends to be shortcomings in the provision of foundation subjects at key stage 2. These shortcomings differ from school to school, but are often linked to gaps in the expertise of staff”.

Concern in relation to If the proposal is approved, a temporary governing body will be a single headteacher established and one of its first functions will be to appoint a across two large sites. headteacher. Following this, the staffing structure for the school will be established and this will need to take into account the fact that the school will be based across two sites. In other schools with similar circumstances, there is oversight of each separate site by a Base Leader or Assistant/Deputy Headteacher. The option of creating This issue was discussed at length during preliminary engagement two separate and concluded that there is currently a strong sense of community community primary which should not be damaged by having separate community schools in Milford schools having separate catchment areas. Such a configuration Haven should not have would be seen as divisive. been discounted. A minor expansion of In practice, pupils and parents will see little difference in the current arrangements provision following implementation of the proposal as the two school is all that’s required. sites will remain. Implementation of the proposal will result in the No need for full scale creation of a single 3-11 primary school instead of two separate amalgamation. infant and junior schools. Merging the two schools will ensure that the Council is well placed to be able to present a transformational business case to Welsh Government for capital funding. Welsh medium The preliminary engagement undertaken in Milford Haven during the provision should have spring of 2016 concluded that whilst there is some appetite for been included as part Welsh medium provision in the area, its extent is inconclusive. of this proposal. However, it has been acknowledged that the establishment of new secondary provision as part of a 3-16 Welsh medium school in Haverfordwest could impact on parental preference and that there will be a need to monitor how the new school will affect preference for Welsh medium provision in the Milford Haven area. Concerns that young In practical terms, the proposal will not result in any change to where pupils will be mixing infant and junior children are located. It is very likely that infant with older children in a children will continue to attend school at The Meads site and junior new school. children at the current Junior site. However, should the Council be successful in obtaining capital funding then it is possible that a new building will be built. In this case, Foundation Phase pupils will not mix with older children.

Concerns / Authority Response to Concerns Raised Comments The current provision The Council has a policy of creating all-through schools (3-11) does not appear to where it is practicable to do so. In this regard, Milford Haven is one have affected children of only two areas which have separate infant and junior schools. throughout the years The change from infant to junior is an unnecessary transition point so why change. and the proposal represents a strategy which is in line with The current provision Donaldson’s recommendations for a new curriculum. gives pupils first-hand experience of transition to another school and is useful when they transfer to secondary school. Need to consider traffic This concern is acknowledged. Any development in relation to flow and parking as extending current buildings or a new build requires that a full part of any changes. transport impact assessment is undertaken. The current This concern is acknowledged. Temporary classrooms fulfil a arrangements whereby valuable role in ensuring that temporary or rapid increases in pupil temporary classrooms numbers can be accommodated at a relatively low cost. As such, are utilised is not the temporary classrooms at The Meads have proved invaluable. acceptable. However, it is also acknowledged that in the longer term, pupils should be able to access a more permanent teaching environment and it is in this context that capital investment will be sought in order to add more capacity. Any proposal should Investment in new schools always considers the means by which consider sports community needs can be met as part of the school development. facilities, outdoor However, such needs can only be met when there is sufficient learning, safe routes to justification based upon other provision and facilities in the area. schools, community provision and a school- based learning resource facility for pupils with ALN. Need to consider All possible site options will be considered in relation to capital alternative sites in investment. However, this will need to be undertaken as part of a Milford Haven. detailed business case and there will need to be a sound justification for utilising alternative sites.

5.3 Issues / Concerns regarding St Francis Catholic Primary School Supportive comments:

 Will address the lack of nursery places in the Milford Haven area  Will encourage parents to place children in St Francis RC School - potentially increasing pupil numbers thus easing overcrowding at The Meads Infants  Will ensure continuity and facilitate the transitions from home to school, and from part-time to full-time at St Francis RC School  Particularly beneficial to parents seeking a faith based education for their children

General comments/concerns

 Separate access and parking for St Francis RC School is required to improve traffic congestion and provide the school with its own identity Concerns / Comments Authority Response to Concerns Raised Need to consider traffic flow and This concern is acknowledged. Any development parking as part of any changes. in relation to extending current buildings or a new build requires that a full transport impact assessment is undertaken.

5.4 Issues raised by Estyn

Whilst Estyn’s opinion of the proposal is shown at Para. 4.2, a number of supplementary comments are made.

Concerns / Comments Authority Response to Concerns Raised The proposer clearly describes the There has been little resistance to expected advantages and disadvantages the proposal from the community of the proposal. These include the with 69% of responses indicating advantages that a new 3-11 primary support for the proposal. school can improve transition arrangements, financial effectiveness and There will be no improvement to greater flexibility in allocating resources. school buildings in the short term The disadvantages include resistance by and temporary classrooms will the local community, no initial continue to be used to meet improvement to school buildings and needs. However, the proposal can capacity issues. The potential advantages be regarded as a catalyst for of extending the age range of St. Francis attracting future capital investment Catholic school include improved which will address school building transition arrangements and increased and capacity issues. numbers. The disadvantages include the

Concerns / Comments Authority Response to Concerns Raised impact on other early years providers in It is not considered that the the area and increase in the volume of proposal in relation to St Francis traffic. However, the proposer has not will have a major impact on other provided any details as to how it intends early years providers in the area. to address these disadvantages. The intention of this part of the proposal is to boost the pupil population at this school, thereby reducing some of the pressure on places at The Meads. The proposer has provided details of It is acknowledged that the occupancy and capacity in the three proposal cannot fully address the schools but has not provided any issues concerning capacity. commentary on what impact the proposal Increasing capacity in order to will have on oversubscription and surplus accommodate the growing number places. Currently, the Mead school is of pupils in Milford Haven can only oversubscribed by 44 full-time pupils and be achieved by capital investment has 33 part time surplus places. Milford and it is intended to access Band Haven juniors has 14 surplus full-time B of Welsh Government’s 21st places and St Francis Catholic school has Century Schools Programme for 32 surplus full-time places. Pupil this purpose. The proposal forecasts to 2021 show that the Mead ensures that when this tranche of school will continue to be oversubscribed funding becomes available in and that Milford Haven juniors will be 2019, the Council will be able to oversubscribed from 2019 onwards. St. move quickly to increase the Francis Catholic school will continue to school to its required capacity. have around 80% occupancy. The proposer has stated that ‘the However, in the shorter term it is transformation resulting from the anticipated that the proposal to amalgamation of separate infant and extend the age range of St Francis junior schools will ensure that the Council Catholic School offers the will be able to act quickly when further opportunity to relieve some of the tranches of capital funding become pressure on places at The Meads available’. However, the proposer has not School. provided sufficient clarity as to how the proposal will address these issues. The proposer has provided details of The Consultation Document Estyn inspection reports, the national includes the performance data categorisation and performance in 2015 which was available at the time of for all three schools. In addition, the views its publication; this data was in of the local consortium on relation to 2015 and was obtained outcomes/provision and leadership and from the My Local School website. management at the schools have been provided. However, the proposer has not It is acknowledged that the 2016 included the most recent available data, data is now available and this is i.e. the performance data for 2016 nor

Concerns / Comments Authority Response to Concerns Raised has the proposer included any relevant replicated as APPENDIX C of this commentary on the data provided. document. It is also unclear why the proposer has only provided the performance data for It is not considered necessary to pupils entitled to free school meals for provide additional commentary on performance at the Foundation Phase this data, particularly when there indicator and core subject indicator at key are recent judgements from Estyn stage 2. The performance of all pupils at and the views of the regional the Foundation Phase indicator shows a School Improvement Service are marked decline in performance at the provided in detail. Furthermore, Mead infant and nursery school and St there is no requirement for such Francis Catholic school between 2015 commentary included in the School and 2016. The core subject indicator for Organisation Code. all pupils at key stage 2 shows a significant decline in performance at Miford Haven school and a relatively small decline in St Francis Catholic school between 2015 and 2016. The proposer has also provided details of The most recent Estyn judgements other nearby schools including capacities, for all schools likely to be affected pupil number forecasts and outcomes of by the proposal have been given in Estyn inspections. However, there is no the Consultation Document. relevant commentary relating to this information. There is no requirement for additional commentary included in the School Organisation Code.

APPENDIX A

APPENDIX B

Future Primary Education Provision in the Milford Haven Area Correspondence received as part of statutory consultation

Ref. Comments

1 I strongly agree with the discontinuation of The Meads Infant and Nursery School and Milford Haven Junior School and establish a new 3 - 11 school but strongly believed that a new purpose built community school is needed to embrace the whole community and provide adequate learning space for all of the pupils. The Meads Infants School building is at full capacity with pupils being taught in three additional portacabins. This is not the provision that our children deserve. The children of this catchment area deserve the best.

2 Meads Infant school is overburdened and most definitely needs to be dismantled and merged into a bigger 3-11 set-up.

Meads must merge with Milford Haven junior.

4 Milford Haven only has one infants and one junior school, Haverfordwest has a number. Milford deserves a new build school, on one site not a second best solution of adding on to the existing buildings! The rumour is that Haverfordwest primary schools will be getting funding for new builds ahead of Milford Haven. That is not acceptable!

5 I am concerned about the size of a school (800+) and belief option 3 of the proposal of building two English medium schools of (400+) should have kept as an option. Option 3 was discounted because; 1) It would not increase capacity 2) It could cause rivalry. 3) Two 3 to 11 schools would have to serve two catchment areas. If this option had remained and funding is available then; A) The necessary capacity can be achieved by making the schools the right size. B) I believe that most parents would settle for rivalry (competition) rather than have one 800+ school, at least give them the option. C) Catchment areas don't seem to affect the schools in Haverfordwest. Whatever the decision unless adequate funding from the Authority and Welsh government is guaranteed the process should be abandoned until the money is available. The proposed 3-11 school is far bigger than anything in Pembrokeshire and the whole of the Junior School and Meads site must be used to provide the infrastructure to enable the school to function i.e. access, parking etc. If we are going to do it needs to be done correctly taking into account the impact on the community. Should surplus land be sold off it must not be detrimental to the overall plan and should be a secondary consideration not primary.

7 I am slightly concerned of the language used in the proposal, specifically 'on both current sites'. The proposal I am in support of is a new building/s which accommodate(s) facilities for children aged 3 -11, not an extension on the current buildings

I believe two sites is advantageous because it gives pupils experience of 'moving' onto the juniors, so moving to the comp is not so frightening because they've already moved at the end of year 2.

8 I have just left Milford Juniors and am now in Milford Comp. I feel that what we have in Milford now is good because when you're in Year 2, you have the privileges of being the oldest in the school and have a leaving concert and then you get to experience moving up to the Juniors, which is a similar size before you have to move to the Comp which is a much bigger school. Getting to be the youngest again in Year 3, gives you a sense of what it will be like in Year 7. I also liked having a different Head teacher in the Juniors because it felt like a new school. I like 2 separate schools on two different sites but if it has to be one governing body and one Head, then having 2 sites is definitely better for the kids.

10 I'm concerned that if all schools join together the schools will just become far too big, with such a massive age range between the students that the care and attention to the pupils that they receive now will become lost!

11 I feel that there would need to be deputy head teachers on each site, not in a teaching post. My reason for this is in the absence of the headteacher who maybe on either site, they would disrupt lessons by being called out to deal with issues. With the number of children on each site this maybe more frequent than smaller schools and would impact on the children's learning.

To provide the children of Milford Haven with suitably adequate buildings. Being taught in mobile classrooms is poor. The volume of children and congestion at the start and end of the school day is unsafe at present with the current buildings with poor access to the schools.

12 Buildings are unsuitable based on volume of children Poor access to schools on current sites (Particularly the Junior School)

To build a school within suitable grounds providing safe access for pupils... To build a school big enough to reflect the number of pupils it accommodates (school hall in Junior School full to capacity at assembly time)..... Improve and extend current schools to safely accommodate number if children..... STOP allowing places to those outside of catchment area when oversubscribed!!!!! Still happening now!!

16 Any proposal should consider sport facilities and safe routes to walk or cycle to school.

18 A new build to accommodate nursery to Year 6 pupils is required to serve the children and the community. Outdoor learning is an important area which needs to be consider

19 Bringing both schools together and providing modern facilities to fulfil modern educational needs has to be the most positive step for Milford's education.

20 A nursery at St Francis is long overdue. Separate access to the school would also improve safety

21 Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (comments redacted for the purposes of this document - respondent does not want their comments to be made publically available)

23 It is crucial that PCC take this opportunity to make future primary education provision in Milford Haven secure and sustainable. Mistakes were made in closing one infants school some years ago which is now contributing to the extremely high pupil numbers and overcrowding on the Meads site in particular. A nursery at St Francis would also add to the opportunity to alleviate overcrowding and provide parents who want a faith based education for their child with a straight forward start to school rather than having to choose a preschool setting. Having had to help a child settle into one preschool setting then again into St Francis I feel that a nursery will make transition from home to school far easier.

24 Children learn and perform better academically in smaller class sizes and smaller schools. Larger schools overwhelm pupils and bullying is more apparent. Children need to feel secure, safe, valued and that they belong. This cannot be achieved in larger schools where staff cannot possibly know all of their pupils, their abilities and preferences. League tables currently demonstrate that the smaller schools are the best achieving in the county so let's not spoil this and give the next generation the best chances of obtaining a good quality education.

Re-open the Mount School which provided an excellent learning environment for the foundation phase to overcome the current issue of overcrowding at the Meads School

Re-open the Mount School which provided excellent education for the foundation phase and extend the age range for Flying Start due to the catchment area being one of deprivation and establish a secondary Catholic or secondary Church in Wales school for the Catholic or Church/Christian schools to feed into.

26 I think admitting part-time three year olds to Saint Francis will encourage parents to place children in Saint Francis. As it is currently losing possible students to the Meads Infant School as they take children at a younger age.

27 * Proportional funding for each school (St Francis and new school) * Adequate space and room for expansion on both sites * Dedicated separate access and parking for both schools

28 A nursery class in St Francis would help increase the numbers as at present children whose parents want them to attend St Francis start them in other schools and are then reluctant to move them.

29 St Francis needs access for safety reasons and a nursery.

30 St Francis needs a nursery and its own access for safety reasons.

31 St Francis should have a nursery. Own access via a drive would be safer.

32 St Francis School needs its own access for safety reasons and is desperate need of a nursery.

33 I strongly support this proposal it would be extremely beneficial for parents who want to send their child to a faith based school.

34 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (comments redacted for the purposes of this document - respondent does not want their comments to be made publically available)

35 St Francis Nursery would help to develop the school and increase numbers for the future.

Would like to see the site improved in terms of safety and also in providing the school with its own identity.

37 St Francis needs a nursery and its own access for safety reasons.

38 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (comments redacted for the purposes of this document - respondent does not want their comments to be made publically available)

39 St Francis School needs its own access for safety reasons and is in desperate need for a nursery.

40 St Francis School is need of a nursery and its own access for safety reasons.

41 St Francis School needs its own access for safety reasons and is desperate need for a nursery.

42 St Francis needs a nursery and own access for safety reasons.

43 Great support to nursery and primary school, so the children will benefit more!

44 * Proportionate funding given to both St Francis and the new school * Adequate space for both St Francis and the new school to accommodate future expansion * Dedicated access and parking for both St Francis and the new school

45 St Francis Nursery would help develop the school and increase numbers for the future.

Would like to see the site improved.

46 Introducing a nursery to St Francis should help with the overcrowding at The Meads. There is a shortage of nursery places for residents of Milford Haven. Clearly The Meads need more space and their overcrowding issues should be dealt with.

47 I strongly support the introduction of a nursery at St Francis school. There is a lack of nursery places in Milford Haven.

Particularly for health and safety reasons, I would like to see a separate driveway/access for St Francis.

48 St Francis needs a nursery and its own access for safety reasons.

49 I strongly support the proposal and feel that the school is equipped and prepared to extend the age range for Catholic education (St Francis).

50 This need for St Francis School to have a nursery is long overdue. Many parents decided to send their children to St Francis but because of child care sometimes go to the Meads for child care.

51 I feel that a nursery is vital for St Francis School. There are a lack of nursery places in Milford Haven and this wold fill a gap. Also, it provides continual education rather than changing at 4.

I also think that St Francis School needs its own access to differentiate it from The Meads School.

52 As a parent of a pre-schooler I strongly feel that St Francis need their own nursery. There aren't many nurseries around for 3 year old kids to attend and it would be really good if St Francis can have their own nursery for the kids.

53 I think the nursery is an essential addition for the school St Francis. It will benefit the continued education of the children.

54 St Francis school need a nursery, There are a lack of nursery places in Milford Haven and this will fill this. Also, it will be beneficial to not have to change schools at age 4.

In addition to the nursery, I think St Francis should have their own drive and access. This would encourage more people to come to the school, which would alleviate crowding at The Meads. It would also improve the traffic congestion.

55 I feel St Francis school would benefit a nursery, as there are not enough nurseries or facilities in Milford at the moment.

56 St Francis needs nursery and its own access for safety reasons.

57 St Francis need a nursery and also their own drive/entrance. This would help solve problems of overcrowding at Meads.

58 St Francis needs access for safety reasons and nursery.

59 Minor expansion of the existing arrangements would appear to be all that is required. The re-organisation of the schools seems to be an overreaction.

60 The proposed school will be to large, therefore classes will have a large number of children.

61 Amalgamating schools into bigger schools is not always the better option for the children’s education.

62 St Francis needs own access for safety reasons and a nursery.

63 I strongly support the proposal to extend the age range at St Francis School. For parents who choose a faith based education for their children this would be extremely beneficial - it would provide secure foundations for the FP pupils, ease transition into the full-time Reception class and ease the concerns for parents of young children about to start school - their child can go straight into the caring family atmosphere of St Francis School from 3.

66 I strongly support the proposal to extend the age range of St Francis Catholic Primary in order to admit part-time 3 year olds.

68 I think that having part-time nursery children will really enhance our school, St Francis. It will ensure future numbers for our school.

69 As a Christian I think it is very important to have a Christian faith school in Milford and its success would depend greatly on having nursery provision.

70 Dylai Cyngor Sir Penfro cynnig addysg trwy'r gyfrwng Cymraeg yn Aberdaugleddau, mae e’n hen amser iddyn nhw cael ysgol cyfrwng Cymraeg yn yr ardal a bydd llawer o rhieni Aberdaugleddau yn cefnogi ysgol Cymraeg.

Translation

Pembrokeshire County Council should offer Welsh-medium education in Milford Haven. It is high time for them to establish a Welsh-medium school in the area as many parents from Milford Haven will be supportive of this.

74 Milford Haven needs a large investment to build a primary school fit for the 21st century. The present school buildings are not large enough and lack modern facilities. The access and parking to both schools is a problem. I support the development of a new primary school as educationally this is best practice.

75 Would love to see a Sen unit at the school

77 I personally feel it is about time. Most schools throughout the UK have this in place already.

78 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (comments redacted for the purposes of this document - respondent does not want their comments to be made publically available)

79 It will be nice for children to have a new school and better equipment.

80 I think it will be a good idea to have 1 new school for Milford Haven.

81 The way the schools are are fine. I don't feel comfortable with my 3 yr old mixing with 11 yr olds.

82 Having an all-through school is important and wish it had been in place when my children were here. The two schools work closely together so bringing the schools together should be a natural progression..

If two sites are retained, it would be beneficial to provide new shared facilities so that the new school and St Francis and the community can utilise them. Traffic flow and parking needs to be seriously considered as part of whatever option is decided.

83 Bigger hall

84 Will there be a provision for additional SEN support / community support (e.g. room with kettle etc for family /core group meetings).

85 The MH area has grown large in the last 10 years and now needs bigger space for all children and staff.

A bigger schools with an area for indoor play when it is not possible for children to go outside. Classrooms are feeling small with number of children.

86 It is the way forward. As long as the school has excellent facilities and the infant and junior areas are separate I think it will be good for the town and the children to have a new community school.

87 I feel the schools need updating, modern building with no portacabins. I feel bringing the infant and junior schools together will have more consistency in management/delivery and transition between age groups/year. Also it can improve efficiency/shared resources.

I feel 800 pupils at that age range in one building/site is too many especially for younger ones starting school. Also, to do with drop off/pick- up/parking - logistics of where the new school would be and how it would be operated - play/dinner/hall use - would need further information to explain all this before (as a parent) I would support the other option. I know it’s worked well with other mergers but one the schools have less pupils and some had more space/better buildings. I think 2 sites - close, shared resources, improved buildings, more consistency/efficiency is the best option.

88 My primary concern is of the standards of teaching and learning - providing the optimum opportunities for the pupils to achieve their highest potential. I believe that whilst learning can happen anywhere, it is also important for the environment to be appropriate. Therefore new buildings and facilities would be most welcome in the future to enhance the learning journey. Funding is also therefore of upmost importance and a new build would be most beneficial, not only to the pupils but staff, parents and the local community.

89 * Teaching and learning needs to be at the forefront of the proposal. * A new build housing both infants and junior sites would benefit the above. * It's not only the pupils who would benefit but also the parents, staff and local community.

90 We don't agree with one large school for 3-11 year olds even if across two sites but if it would improve facilities for the children it would make it easy to accept. We like how it is setup and it doesn't appear to have affected children throughout the years by having it this way. We do support the St Francis proposal as this would ease a lot of pressure off the Meads School.

State of the art school in the future.

91 I went to a school aged 3-11 years so would be happy for the two schools to emerge. However I feel that both sites are not suitable for children as both the Meads and Junior school are old buildings. I therefore would like to see our children of the community getting a new building that is fit for purpose and the best possible learning.

92 I think a primary school with 800+ children is far too big and completely unnecessary as a school of this size would inevitably continue to work with an infant/junior split dynamic as it would be too big to work any other way. There would have to be separate playgrounds, halls, lunchtimes, assemblies so there would be little point in all being on one base, however, I also don't think that amalgamating and remaining on two sites is a good option either as all that be accomplished is a Headteacher being stretched over two large bases. Really the schools should be amalgamating but split into two primary schools as two primary schools of 400+ will still be very big.

Two primary schools made up from pupils from the Meads and Milford Juniors (with St Francis remaining as they are).

93 I would love to see a new school closer aligned with the Meads leisure centre, sharing resources etc. Sports are a great way for kids to excel without the barriers of cost etc. Sport is also a great community builder, so having the kids more involved at an early age would have multiple benefits in the long run. Maybe even a brand new build school. Access to the schools needs to be given consideration in the current situation due to the number of children and maybe even the greater number a cars that are around now. Perhaps St Francis could have its own drive way access to help ease this.

New school on the site of the Meads leisure centre site, with more sport facilities added, running track etc. A new 3-11 build school on the site of the Meads and St Francis, with St Francis moving into the junior school building, both schools sharing the football pitch in between. Joint co-operation between St Francis and community school with greater shared resources - IT lab, music centre, sport facilities etc.

94 The children of Milford Haven deserve to experience the best possible education that can be provided for them. A through school age 3-11 years will ensure continuity and a safe and secure environment for the children to be educated in.

95 I think that this is the best solution to support the education of the children. They need a school facility that will support the local community and provide the children with an appropriate learning environment, with access to spacious and well equipped classrooms and learning areas that have the technology to support future ready children.

98 I do still like the idea of having an infant school then a junior one as this transition is good for the children. If the Meads and Milford Haven Juniors are to join then this needs to be done in one purpose built school with up to date facilities, and be big enough for all the children (with no portacabin classrooms) and the resources/rooms for all the specific programs that need to be carried out in school (e.g. speech and language, and for the use of outside agencies etc.).

AG1 In the document option 3 of alternative options was discounted on the grounds that;

1) It would not increase capacity.

2) It would cause rivalry.

3) Two 3 to 11 community schools would have to serve two catchment areas.

If this option had remained would funding have been available to build two new schools for 400 pupils. If funding is available for this option then;

a) The necessary capacity can be achieved.

b) I believe most parents would settle for rivalry (competition) that have a one 800 plus pupil school.

c) The schools could be built in different areas of the town so catchment areas could be modified.

Advantages

- Traffic reduction in existing school areas.

- Competition

AG2 Both Governing Bodies have met separately and held a joint meeting at which this joint response to the proposal regarding future primary education provision in Milford Haven was agreed.

Concern is raised over the need to address the current overcrowding at the Meads School and the likelihood for this overcrowding to progress to the Junior School. Addressing this issue needs to be a priority and cannot wait for a future decision to be taken about the capital funding of a new single school.

It is, however, also important that the future infrastructure of a single school occupying one site ensures that it is sufficient to meet the needs of the pupils attending. It is essential that sufficient teaching and support staff are provided and that given the large number proposed (circa 800 pupils) that appropriate funding and resources are provided to ensure that every pupil who attends can reach their full potential.

Appropriate funding needs to be put in place now to ensure the effective resourcing of both schools. Considering the challenging socio- economic community which the catchment of both schools serves, it is of serious concern to the Governing Bodies that sufficient funds must be provided to ensure the best provision for the children who attend these schools.

Both Governing Bodies share the vision of creating one community primary school which could serve the needs of the whole community. Considering the challenges which face the community of Milford Haven the provision and resourcing of such a school could be transformational to the life of this town.

The Donaldson report advocates a substantial change in education within Wales, and as such it would be beneficial for a through primary approach to be taken. Recent new initiatives to drive up the standards of literacy and numeracy such as the Big Maths Programme would then be able to be implemented in a coherent and effective manner throughout the pupils’ primary education and would be of substantial benefit to the pupils involved. An all through primary approach would also enable the school to be more effective when dealing with issues of child protection as it would enable families to be cared for and supported across a wider age range, rather than seeking to run similar provision across two schools as is the case now.

The establishment of a new primary school building would enable the school to enhance its role as a focus for resourcing the whole community. Establishing a school which would pride itself as a centre for excellence, not only equipping children with the necessary skills for the future, but also supporting and resourcing their parents, would be of huge benefit to the life of the community. It is the vision of both Governing Bodies that should such funding be available to enable the establishment of such a school then the facilities it should be equipped with could include for example: facilities for appropriate ALN provision, community rooms, a health visitor centre, playgroup space, opportunities for parenting classes, counselling. These combined with the highly effective Flying Start facility at the Meads School would undoubtedly make a substantial difference to one of the most deprived communities within Pembrokeshire.

AG3 Rwy’n ysgrifennu atoch chi i dynnu sylw at y cyfle gwych sydd gan Cyngor Sir Penfro i ehangu ei ddarpariaeth ar gyfer y Gymraeg yn ysgolion y Sir. Fe welwch chi isod fy sylwadau o’r ffurflen ymateb:

Dw i’n credu yn gryf y dylai’r Cyngor gynllunio er mwyn darparu addysg Gymraeg i bawb. Gall y Cyngor baratoi nawr ar gyfer hynny a manteisio ar y cyfle i gynnig addysg ddwyieithog i blant ardal Aberdaugleddau. Mae hawl gan phob disgybl i hynny ac mae galw amdani.

Gallai’r Cyngor newid category iaith yr ysgol wrth uno a sefydlu’r ysgol 3-11 newydd, gan greu ysgol gategori EW yn y lle cyntaf a chreu ffrwd a fydd yn datblygu yn raddol fel sydd wedi digwydd ym Mhenfro, Hwlffordd a Dinbych y Pysgod.

Gyda’r ysgol uwchradd Gymraeg yn agor yn Hwlffordd o fewn dwy flynedd bydd mwy o rieni’r ardal eisiau addysg Gymraeg i’w plant wrth iddynt weld manteision dwyieithrwydd, yn gymdeithasol ac yn economaidd.

Dw i ddim yn byw yn ardal Aberdaugleddau ond hoffwn i feddwl bod plant ardal Aberdaugleddau yn cael yr un cyfle a gafodd fy mhlant i (a dw i’n credu eich plant chi) i dderbyn eu haddysg trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg yn ogystal â’r Saesneg. Mae fy mhlant i nawr yn defnyddio’r ddwy iaith yn eu gwaith ac yn eu bywyd bob dydd. Oni bai am weledigaeth Sir Benfro (a Dyfed gynt) yn y gorffennol fyddai hynny ddim yn wir.

Translation

I am writing to draw your attention to the wonderful opportunity that Pembrokeshire County Council has to extend its Welsh language provision in the County’s schools. My comments from the response form are seen below:

I strongly believe the Council should make plans in order to provide Welsh-medium education for all. The Council can now make plans for that and benefit from the opportunity to provide bilingual education for children in the Milford Haven area. All pupils are entitled to receive bilingual education, and there is a demand for this.

In merging and establishing the new 3-11 school, the Council could change the school’s language category by creating an EW category school and a stream which will be developed gradually, as in Pembroke, Haverfordwest and Tenby.

The Welsh secondary school will open in Haverfordwe