Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Children ‘denied’ a Welsh medium education in Pembrokeshire as demand outstrips supply

24 Nov 2021 2 minute read
Primary school catchment map for Welsh medium education in Pembrokeshire where currently demand outstrips supply. Picture: PCC report

Katy Jenkins, local democracy reporter

A Pembrokeshire councillor has raised concerns that children in the county are being “denied” a Welsh medium education as demand for places continues to outstrip supply.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s draft Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) was reviewed by a scrutiny committee this week amid calls for clearer time frames and budgets for expanding provision.

Cllr Mike Evans said that it was positive that there was such “exponential” growth in demand but he wanted it noted that it exceeds the number of spaces available and “we are now turning away children and creating a postcode lottery.”

Huw Jones, planning places and admissions officer, said there was a waiting list for nursery and reception spaces at Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest and “unfortunately we have got a significant under supply of places at the moment.”

He, and director of education Steven Richards-Downes, agreed that the long-term strategy would mean Welsh-medium education was accessible across the county and the result of a recent capital grant bid to Welsh Government for more provision was awaited.

“Is it our ambition by the end of ten years to turn that map green, I would say yes,” said Mr Richards-Downes.

Cllr Evans also asked about post-16 provision and was told Pembrokeshire College would be increasing its offer, as he added the WESP was not “radical enough” and he’s like it to go further.

Cllr Tony Baron said at the meeting of policy and pre-decision overview and scrutiny that “a plan without timings and without costings is a wish list,” with a more detailed five year plan, along with broader plans for the next five, to be included in presentations to Welsh Government.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
3 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
David Smith
David Smith
2 years ago

Seems to roughly follow the Landsker Line. Heartening to see the demand, but I bet the councillors in the red bit are stuffy old Brits who can’t be having that monkey language round there, good heavens no!

Grayham Jones
2 years ago

Welsh must be the first language in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 no English schools in wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 kick all English party’s out of wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 we
In wales must stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh it’s time for a new wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Stephen Owen
Stephen Owen
2 years ago

Every child should have the opportunity to learn the Welsh language 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.