The Welsh kids condemned
to learn in limbo.
Reporting by Hayley Jones
There are 27 children at the heart of this story and I loved being involved in journalism that could make a real difference to lives…
My investigation is already making an impact with those that have read it.
On first glance, this seems simply a story about a local school closure, but it is about much more than that. It is reflective of much wider issues.
It is about the decline in community infrastructure in the name of efficiency saving. It’s about the rapidly aging population of rural Wales because it’s simply very hard to parent in a community with little provision.
It’s about how delays by authorities leave the communities they serve more harmed by the inaction than the ultimate decision.
Read Will Hayward's sub stack here
In October 2022, builders working on a housing estate opposite Manorbier Church in Pembrokeshire noticed smoke rising from the roof of the school.
A fire quickly spread across the old part of the school, leaving a trail of destruction.
But this happened in 2022? Why is the being investigated now?
Well this is because we are now more than that three years on from the fire.
And… those children are still in a temporary hall and, far from being rebuilt, the council are now saying that they want to permanently close the school and amalgamate it with two others.
One local woman, Annie Brougham, wanted to send her child to the school but believed they weren’t taking on students because of the fire.
However, after she sent her child to another local school and he struggled, her health visitor recommended Manorbier school.
Annie says that her child has since thrived due to the experienced teaching skills in additional learning needs education there
I’m happy that my passion for Welsh politics and stories affecting Wales, has been recognised by the brilliant Will Hayward.
Hayley Jones is a journalist from Flintshire in North Wales, she speaks seven languages including Welsh and has worked as a foreign correspondent in Madrid.
Hayley returned to training in 2024 and did a TV Journalism Masters at City University in London.