Ofqual data ‘significantly overstated' number of pupils given extra exam time
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South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- South Wales Argus
What Caerphilly schools will look like after summer holiday
Pupils and teachers will say goodbye to Rhydri Primary School, which has served the village of Rudry since 1902. The local authority confirmed in April the school would close down, bringing to an end a long campaign to make it viable. The council's argument focused on falling pupil numbers – blamed on declining birth rates – and their impact on the school's ability to produce a balanced budget. Some parents launched a recruitment campaign to try and drive up pupil numbers, but this failed to persuade the council that Rhydri Primary had a sustainable future. Other efforts included slashing the number of classes and federating the school with Bedwas Juniors, but the council said this work was 'not viable or sustainable moving forward'. Critics of the proposed closure argued the council should have done more to make the school survive, but this view was challenged by the local authority. At the April meeting to decide Rhydri Primary's fate, cabinet members described the move as 'difficult' and acknowledged the community's 'hard work' to try and save the school. Its pupils are expected to move to Caerphilly town's St James Primary School in September, although parents are free to send their children elsewhere. Elsewhere, some students currently at two single-sex schools will begin co-ed lessons in the new academic year. The council agreed last December to eventually shut down Lewis Girls School, in Ystrad Mynach, and transfer all pupils to the currently boys-only Lewis School Pengam by September 2027. This autumn, the proposal is for all pupils in Years 7 and 8 at both schools to be taught on the Lewis Girls School site, and for all pupils in Years 9 and 10 to have their lessons at Lewis School Pengam. Year 11 pupils preparing to take their GCSEs will remain at their current school to minimise disruption. There will be further changes in September 2026 before Lewis Girls School shuts a year later, closing the book on single-sex secondary school state education – not just in Caerphilly County Borough, but also in Wales. Meanwhile, demolition work will begin this summer at Plasyfelin Primary School, in Caerphilly town, where a modern replacement will be built in phases. Some students will learn in temporary classrooms when they return to lessons in September, as the council hopes to minimise disruption to learning. The replacement school will be larger and carbon-neutral – but a new report shows costs are already expected to rise by nearly £3 million more than initial estimates, meaning the council will have to contribute an extra £1.76 million to the project, which is jointly-funded with the Welsh Government. Also in Caerphilly town, Hendre Infants School will 'amalgamate' with Hendre Junior School in September to create a new primary. A council meeting heard the 'amicable' merger had been supported by both schools, and could lead to a 'sharing of expertise' for staff and a 'continuity of learning' for pupils. The infant and junior key stages will continue to operate at their current homes, opposite each other on St Cenydd Road, but will now be run as one school.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Gardeners could be hit with £5,000 if fox breaks into their garden
Seeing foxes running around your garden is normal in the UK but many don't know if you deter foxes in the wrong way - you could be hit with a hefty fine Gardeners across the UK are divided in their feelings towards foxes, with some welcoming the creatures into their gardens while others desperately seek ways to keep them at bay. While some green-fingered enthusiasts enjoy feeding these bushy-tailed visitors, leaving out meaty snacks for them, others are exasperated by the presence of these russet interlopers in their cherished gardens. Reddit gardeners have been swapping advice on how to deter foxes from their outdoor spaces, amidst warnings from fox control websites have issued a potential £5,000 fine warning. Reddit user u/longjumpingtoe reached out online, saying: "Hi everyone, I really could do with your help on this one!" They shared their fox woes: "A fox has taken a liking to my garden and tends to poo everywhere. In addition to that it's been digging behind my shed to get under it and I believe has created a den there. I've tried to scare it away, which works for about 30 seconds." "Any suggestions on how to stop it from coming to my garden permanently? (no shotguns allowed! )." Another Reddit user suggested an unconventional method: "We had a chronic fox poo situ in the front garden. My wife peed in a cup and chucked it out there and it stopped. Apparently it's only supposed to work for man-wee but we're lesbians so we did what we could." u/dazzling-Example, offered a more polite solution: "What worked for me was putting clipped hawthorn branches in the places they were pooing, they must've got quite a shock when they tried, some of those thorns were like nails. Never saw any fox poo again." However, gardeners are being cautioned to exercise restraint when encountering foxes - as you could face a whopping £5,000 penalty per animal if you harm a fox. The Fox-A-Gon website cautions: "Foxes are protected under a series of wildlife protection laws against poisoning, gassing, asphyxiating, maiming, stabbing, impaling, drowning, clubbing and most forms of snaring, with anyone convicted of carrying out such acts liable to 6 months imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine per animal. "Most fox 'nuisance' experienced by people in urban and suburban areas falls into three categories; digging, fouling and noise." These represent typical fox instincts and behaviour patterns. Depending on the season and whereabouts, excavating might be to create a breeding den, an escape route, a pathway between locations or merely to hunt for insect and invertebrate food. "Foxes are not and never have been classified as 'vermin', so local authorities have no legal obligation to act against them. They are also well aware there is little point. Private "pest controllers' who offer such a service often omit to inform you there is no such thing as a vacant territory. "Remove one fox and another will take over the territory within weeks. Removal or destruction of foxes is, at best, an expensive confidence trick and at worst, an act of cruelty." Experts suggest that since foxes are adept at self-regulating their population, removing or killing a fox from an area won't affect the overall numbers. This is because foxes naturally manage their species numbers to prevent overcrowding, so there's little point in removing them as they'll simply be replaced. A more compassionate approach would be to use a deterrent. The website recommends scatter granules, such as those available for purchase from Asda, as an effective deterrent. These work by eliminating scent marking smells which foxes use to delineate their territory, ensuring they won't return while the granules are present in your garden.
Western Telegraph
4 days ago
- Western Telegraph
New learning centre to open in Haverfordwest in September
Cherry Grove Learning Centre is an innovative learning environment for children and young people aged three to 18. Its principal, Saj Madni, said: 'Cherry Grove is a centre of excellence, where young people rediscover a love of learning, rebuild confidence, and develop a strong sense of identity and purpose.' And this coming weekend, families are invited to attend an open day at the centre at 1 Cherry Grove, Haverfordwest SA61 2NZ on Saturday July 26, from 11am to 3pm. The learning centre will open its doors on September 8. (Image: Cherry Grove Learning Centre) Ms Madni, who was the deputy head of an independent secondary school and also a Head of Sixth Form for eight years, added: 'Every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and inspired – and that's what we aim to provide.' Ms Madni outlined the ethos of Cherry Grove. She explained: 'Cherry Grove offers a personalised, child-centred approach to learning. 'With small group teaching, bespoke education plans, and a focus on academic achievement, wellbeing and leadership, the centre supports learners from a wide range of backgrounds – including those who are ambitious, anxious, neurodivergent, previously home-educated, or simply looking for a fresh start. Out-of-classroom experiences will also be important for learners at the centre. (Image: Cherry Grove Learning Centre) 'Learners follow tailored pathways to GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational qualifications, supported by Cherry Grove's in-house examinations centre." Ms Madni emphasised that academic success is just one part of the experience. She said: "The centre also offers outdoor learning, creative subjects, sports partnerships, and a unique programme of community organising, where learners build confidence through real-world projects." The centre is officially launching on September 8, 2025 and more information ahead of that date can be found by going along to the open day; by contacting info@ or visiting Learners from the age of three to 18 are welcome to attend the centre. (Image: Cherry Grove Learning Centre) Families whose children are set to start at Cherry Grove in September have already shared their experiences after visiting the centre: Said one parent: 'My daughter is aiming for a top university, but she needed somewhere that could challenge her and support her as a person. Cherry Grove offers both – and after a few visits, she felt right at home.' Another told how her son had always found mainstream school 'overwhelming. They commented: 'At Cherry Grove, the calm setting and welcoming staff gave us real reassurance. He's actually excited about learning again.' Another parent of a 'very anxious' child praised the 'brilliant' Cherry Grove staff. They explained: 'They let him visit a few times, meet the team, and explore the space slowly. He loved it. Knowing he feels comfortable there has given us real peace of mind.' The open day will give families the chance to tour the site and meet staff; learn about the curriculum and learner support and ask questions about the admissions process and next steps. For more information, contact the centre, linked above.
