THE majority of Pembrokeshire’s schools have maintained their category grading according to the latest Welsh Government performance data.

The figures show that nine county schools have jumped up a category in 2016, therefore needing less support to improve, but eight schools have also seen there grading reduced.

This is the third year the National Categorisation System has been used to help identify those schools in need of support to improve. Schools are placed into one of four colour-coded support categories to demonstrate the level of support they need.

In Pembrokeshire it is Haverfordwest schools which have fared the worst with both Tasker Milward and Sir Thomas Picton classed as red, requiring the most support, as well as Haverfordwest VC School.

Sir Thomas Picton has dropped from its amber category in 2015.

Red category schools are in need of greatest improvement and will receive immediate, intensive support.

Pembroke Dock’s St Mary’s Catholic Primary is also in the red category.

Only Tasker Milward was included in 2015’s red category.

Green schools, needing the least support and considered highly effective, are Fenton Community Primary, Cleddau Reach VC School, Lamphey Primary School, Manorbier VCP School, Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Pembroke Dock Community School, Sageston Community Primary School, St Oswalds VA School, Tavernspite CP, Templeton, Wolfscastle CP and Ysgol y Frenni.

Ysgol y Preseli was moved to the green category from yellow last year.

Portfield Special School was also classed as green.

There were a number of schools moving from yellow down to amber, including Pembroke Secondary School, and vice versa.

However, the vast majority of local schools are placed in the yellow category. Yellow schools are considered effective, already doing well and knowing the areas needed to improve.

Amber schools are in need of improvement and will receive a full package of support.

The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor David Lloyd, said he welcomed the national process in support of schools in Pembrokeshire.

He added: “This year has once again seen increase in the number of primary schools in the Green and Yellow Support Categories.

“We now have 84 per cent of our primary schools in Pembrokeshire in categories requiring the lowest level of support - yellow and green.

“Our secondary schools are spread across the range of support categories, as appropriate to their current individual needs with one green, two yellow, three amber and two red.

“I am pleased to confirm that they are already gaining benefits from this valuable support system, in particular from its additional resources which are linked directly to their improvement needs.’’

Cabinet Secretary for Education Kirsty Williams said: “This system is not about grading, labelling or creating crude league tables but about providing support and encouraging improvement in our schools. It is about putting schools into a position that helps them to identify areas they can strengthen and what they need to do achieve further improvements.

“The figures we have published today show that 84.4% of primary and 64.6% of secondary schools are now in the green and yellow categories. This increase is to be welcomed, as these schools will have a key role to play in supporting other schools, sharing their skills, expertise, and good practice. In this way they will be making a vital contribution to our national mission of driving forward improvements in Welsh schools and moving us towards a self-improving system.”

GREEN

Cleddau Reach VC School

Fenton Community Primary

Lamphey Primary School

Manorbier VCP School

Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary

Monkton Priory CP School

Pembroke Dock Community School

Portfield Special School

Prendergast School

St Oswals VA School

Tavernspite CP

Templeton

Wolfscastle CP

Ysgol y Frenni

Ysgol y Preseli

YELLOW

Angle VC School

Broad Haven CP

Cilgerran Church in Wales VC

Coastlands CP

Cosheston VC

Gelli Aur/Golden Grove

Ysgol Ger Y Llan

Ysgol Hafan y Mor

Hakin Community School

Holy Name RC School

Hook CP

Hubberston Church in Wales VC Nursery and Primary School

Maenclochog CP

Milford Haven Junior School

Mount Airey Community Nursersy and Infant

Narberth CP School

Neyland Community School

Orielton Community Primary School

Pennar Community School

Puncheston CP

Roch CP

Saundersfoot CP

Solva Community School

Spittal Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School

St Dogmaels CP

St Florence VC School

St Francis RC Primary School

St Mark’s VA School

St Teilo’s Catholic Primary School

St Aidan’s VA

Stackpole VC

Stepaside CP School

Tenby Juniors and Infants

Meads CP Infant and Nursery

Ysgol Bro Dewi

Ysgol Glan Cleddau

Ysgol Gymunedol Eglwyswrw

Ysgol Bro Gwaun

Ysgol Dewi Sant

AMBER

Johnston CP School

Ysgol Bro Ingli

Ysgol Brynconin CP

Ysgol Clydau

Ysgol Glannau Gwaun

Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch

Ysgol Gymunedol Wdig

Ysgol Llanychllwydog

Ysgol Greenhill

Pembroke School

Milford Haven School

RED

Haverfordwest VC School

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Tasker Milward School

Sir Thomas Picton