Despite the known wishes of most parents and pupils in the Haverfordwest school catchment area the majority of County Councillors seem determined to discontinue Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward VC Schools, presumably because of adverse inspection reports. Previous failed consultation strategies have been flawed so they are trying once again to find a solution to their liking through another phase of consultation.

When change was first mooted, County Councillors, presumably having consulted the College, commissioned a report from independent consultants at a cost of at least £22,300 – the College also made a contribution. “Their tribal Report” in paragraph 2.8.3 recommended “A sixth form centre of excellence in Haverfordwest to be developed under the Governance of a local School… Co-located with or close to the College”

Paragraph 5.7 again says “the preferred option… is for a single sixth form centre of excellence in the North of the county run by a school in Haverfordwest… Such a development will retain the concept of a sixth form within a school, (will) attract quality staff and have the potential to become a beacon of excellence attracting new learners through improved outcomes and facilities”

Nevertheless, Officers and County Councillors in general have disregarded their commissioned report by proposing to establish a new 11- 16 English Medium Secondary School in Haverfordwest with additional ALN provision for pupils with complex learning needs, with post 16 provision for a new sixth form centre at the College with some accommodation for music, dance and sports co-located on the site of the 11-16 School.

To meet this model they will have to close down existing schools, change catchment areas, cause all teachers and lecturers to re-apply for teaching posts on differing contracts with the almost certain difficulty of retaining and recruiting staff in the interim, appointing a new Head Teacher and Governing Body leading to much disruption and uncertainty without any guarantee of success or improvement of outcomes for pupils.

To teach “A” levels in two separate establishments will be a timetabling nightmare and will limit the choice for pupils who aspire to higher education.

Advice has been ignored and substituted with uncertainty.

It is to be hoped common sense will prevail and final decisions will be based on what is best for students, especially at a time when funding for sixth form and FE colleges is being cut.

It was Descartes who wrote: “Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world”.

John Cole

Milford Haven