21st Century Schools and Colleges programme making progress despite Covid

While managing the on-going impact of Covid-19 on learners’ education remains the priority for Pembrokeshire’s education community, work still also continues to develop and implement plans around school improvement.

Cllr Guy Woodham, the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning said “While the ongoing pandemic continues to make this a tough time for learners, their families and schools we have not lost our focus on school improvement and delivering the 21^StCentury Schools Band B programme (21C Programme).

“The 21C Programme has already delivered remarkable results in Pembrokeshire with £121.86m invested in the county so far, to provide fantastic learning environments fit for the 21st Century.”

The first successful tranche of the programme in Band A saw communities in Broad Haven, Johnston, Tenby, the Angle peninsula, Hakin / Hubberston, Fishguard, Haverfordwest, Pembroke and St David’s benefit.

The Ysgol Caer Elen and Ysgol Harri Tudur/Henry Tudor School new building projects were both shortlisted for prestigious awards.

Band B, the second tranche of investment, currently amounts to £106.4m and is focused on primary, secondary and special school provision in Haverfordwest and Milford Haven. 

Cllr Woodham added: “Work on Haverfordwest High VC School continues at pace under Band B and we remain committed to delivering further projects to improve and enhance schools across Pembrokeshire.

“As always with such big capital investment projects, especially those significantly funded by Welsh Government, there are processes that need to be worked through at each key stage. Currently, feasibility studies have been commissioned for both a new build primary and secondary school in Milford Haven and significant refurbishment of Portfield Special School in Haverfordwest and the Pembrokeshire Learning Centre in Neyland. The results of these feasibility studies will help us determine the best way forward.

“Improving the learning environments of our learners remains a top priority for the Council and a major step towards improving standards of achievements.”