A PETITION call to save a Pembrokeshire school at risk of closure has been lodged with the county council.

Ysgol Clydau in Tegryn is one of several small schools under threat as part of proposals from Pembrokeshire County Council’s School Modernisation Working Group.

At the May meeting of full council heard that there has been a 34 per cent decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next five-six years.

The school was praised in its last Estyn report with inspectors describing it as a ‘happy, caring and welcoming community’.

However, the report from the council’s working group recommended that the Director of Education be authorised to commence statutory consultation on a proposal to discontinue Ysgol Clydau.

A plea on behalf of Ysgol Clyddau was launched at that meeting by Cllr Iwan Ward, local member, who said it was “the heart of our society not just a school, it’s family, a community, an anchor for children who deserve the opportunity to grow”.

He added that closure was “a disaster for the future of education locally” and was “not fair and was not moral”.

The petition on the county council’s own website, has attracted 124 signatures to date.

The e-petition, started by Sarah Farnden, reads: “We demand that Pembrokeshire County Council reconsider its decision to close Ysgol Clydau and instead prioritise the needs of our community by keeping the school open.

“We oppose the closure of Ysgol Clydau and call for full public scrutiny before any decision is made. We urge you to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community, listen to our concerns, and work with us to find alternative solutions that support the needs of our children and families.”

It adds: “Ysgol Clydau is more than just a school; it’s a hub for community life, offering a safe and welcoming space for children, families and residents of all ages. Its closure will isolate our community, leading to a decline in population and a weakening of our social fabric.

“We believe small schools to be a bedrock of rural communities, essential in the survival of the Welsh language, and most importantly, as loving, centres of academic excellence for our children.

“Ysgol Clydau provides a high-quality education for our children, offering personalised attention and support. Closing the school will impact the educational outcomes of our children, and potentially create additional hardship for families. Not everyone has access to a car and shipping young children for miles on buses every day is just wrong.”

It finishes: “Ysgol Clydau has a rich history in our community, and its closure would represent a loss of our collective heritage and identity. There has been a school on the site of Ysgol Clydau since 1880 (145 years).”

Anyone who lives, works or studies within the Pembrokeshire County Council area may sign or organise a council e-petition. This includes anyone under the age of 18.

If the petition gets 500 signatures, the creator will have an opportunity to debate it at a full council meeting.

A change.org petition opposing the school closure has also been set up by Sarah Farnden, attracting 949 signatures to date.

Calls for urgent action as pupil absences nearly double since 2019

SHOCKING new figures on school attendance have prompted Pembrokeshire Senedd Members PAUL DAVIES and SAMUEL KURTZ to demand urgent action from the local authority.

In a joint letter to the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Conservative MSs have called for immediate steps to tackle what they describe as an escalating crisis in pupil absenteeism.

Figures released this week show unauthorised absences across Welsh secondary schools have almost doubled in the last five years. In Pembrokeshire, the number of missed school sessions rose from 34,177 in 2018/19 to a staggering 66,810 in 2023/24.

Mr Davies said the numbers were “extremely worrying” and called on the council to outline what measures it was taking. He said: “It’s clear that more needs to be done to support families and schools in getting children back into classrooms. Every day missed is a missed opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.”

Mr Kurtz echoed the concern, warning that the consequences of persistent absence go far beyond exam results. He said: “Parents and teachers are all telling us the current situation can’t go on. Persistent absence doesn’t just dent academic outcomes—it deepens inequality and harms wellbeing.

“The council must work with schools, health services and community groups to understand why so many children are staying away and put in place clear, measurable actions. Every child in Pembrokeshire deserves the chance to reach their full potential, and that starts with being in school.”

The Herald understands that councillors will now be asked to review current attendance strategies and report back ahead of the autumn term.

Structured programmes help children read more—and better—than UK adults

WELSH schoolchildren are outperforming the UK average in reading comprehension and engagement, with new data showing they read significantly more books than adults and demonstrate rising levels of understanding—especially when supported by structured reading programmes.

The findings are drawn from the 2025 What Kids Are Reading report, released today (Wednesday, 2 July) by edtech provider Renaissance. Based on data from over 1.2 million pupils across the UK and Ireland—including more than 28,000 in Wales—the report shows that pupils using the Accelerated Reader programme read an average of 20.7 books a year. In contrast, the median UK adult reads just three.

Reading more—and reading better

Despite a slight year-on-year drop in book numbers, Welsh pupils’ comprehension is improving. Primary school pupils are now scoring 80% on reading quizzes (up from 77% last year), while secondary pupils are reaching 72% (up from 69%). Notably, pupils perform best when reading books they’ve chosen themselves—often titles above their expected reading level. Year 5 pupils, for instance, showed 94% accuracy on books nearly two years above average difficulty.

Professor Keith Topping, the report’s author and Professor of Educational and Social Research at the University of Dundee, said:
“When pupils enjoy reading, they read more—and when they read more, they achieve more. The narrowing enjoyment gap among disadvantaged pupils is particularly encouraging.”

Bridging the enjoyment divide

The report also draws on findings from the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey of over 76,000 pupils. While overall reading enjoyment is at its lowest level since 2005 (35%), pupils using Accelerated Reader buck the trend. Among children on Free School Meals, 37% of AR users say they enjoy reading, compared to 32% of non-users. Among boys, enjoyment rises from 27% to 31% with the programme in place.

Crispin Chatterton, Director of Education at Renaissance, said:
“It’s encouraging to see how structured reading support can drive both comprehension and enjoyment—especially for pupils who might otherwise struggle to engage. We’re proud to support schools in creating reading cultures where all learners can thrive.”

New voices rising—but Kinney still king

The report highlights the growing popularity of books with diverse and relatable role models. While Diary of a Wimpy Kid author Jeff Kinney remains the most-read author in Wales, books by Marcus Rashford, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Matt Oldfield are climbing the ranks. Titles such as The Breakfast Club Adventures and Black Men in Science are helping pupils see themselves in the stories they read—fostering confidence and belonging alongside literacy.

Mark Rogerson, Head of English at Myddelton College in Denbigh, said:
“Accelerated Reader has become a quiet powerhouse in our literacy efforts. Whether it’s helping reluctant readers build momentum or giving high achievers the tools to push further, it’s embedded in our daily routine and making a tangible difference.”

The full report and data, including top books by age and gender, can be accessed at www.whatkidsarereading.co.uk