A NEW proposal for a major shake-up of education in Haverfordwest now includes the provision of some sixth form provision in a planned new superschool.

Following yesterday's news that the council was seeking to end the current consultation, new proposals have been put forward in the agenda for next Thursday's extraordinary meeting.

Crucially, it includes for the first time proposals to include "some post 16 provision" in the 11-16 school planned to replace Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward Schools.

Previously, the council proposals had been to place ALL post 16 provision in sixth form centre run in a collaboration with Pembrokeshire College.

The loss of a sixth form at any new school had always been hugely controversial, with protests outside County Hall.

Yesterday (Thursday) the council said the Director for Children and Schools is to recommend to the meeting of Extraordinary Council that the current consultation on a review of secondary education in Haverfordwest is discontinued.

The proposals that will be put to councillors will now be:

a)That the statutory consultation approved by Council on 22nd October 2015 in relation to English Medium secondary provision in Haverfordwest be abandoned.
b) That the Director for Children and Schools be authorised to undertake
statutory consultation with the Trustees of the Tasker Milward and
Picton Charity on the proposal to:
i. Discontinue Sir Thomas Picton and Tasker Milward VC schools
ii. Establish a new 11-16 English medium secondary school in Haverfordwest and to provide additional ALN provision for pupils with complex learning needs;
iii. Provide post 16 provision for the above school in a new sixth form centre as part of a formal collaboration between the County Council and Pembrokeshire College with some accommodation co-located on the site of the 11-16 school.

She will also inform councillors that the "procedure followed in relation to the statutory consultation is considered to be challengeable, and that it is advisable to discontinue statutory consultation and recommence formal consultation with the Trustees of the Tasker Milward and Picton Charity prior to commencing a new consultation."

If the Director’s recommendation is approved by Councillors, this will be the third statutory consultation on secondary education in Haverfordwest.

“We are very aware that this is the third time we are seeking to consult on education in Haverfordwest, but we are determined to get this process absolutely right for the sake of our children’s education,” said the director, Kate Evan-Hughes.

“As ever, we are very grateful for the public’s input to the process and ask them to persevere with us as we endeavour to get the very best outcome for our schools.”

As a result of the new recommendations to be put to members, the public meetings due to take place in Haverfordwest on the current consultation have been cancelled.

The meetings were due to take place on 23rd and 30th November at the Archives. All those who have reserved places are being contacted.