Covid-19 and the closure of schools means the statutory notice process for developing Welsh medium education in the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock area has not been completed.

Pembrokeshire County Council will decide this week on whether to republish the notice or apply for an extension from Welsh Government.

If schools reopen before June 30 it can be republished without further approval, a report to the council’s urgency committee next week states.

But if schools are not sure to reopen before then an application to Welsh Ministers for extra time can be made.

Following a consultation the statutory notice was issued by the director for children and schools on March 11 to establish a new Welsh medium primary school, ages three to 11, for Pembroke, Pembroke Dock and the surrounding area from September 2022.

The plan also involves turning Ysgol Gelli Aur/Golden Grove School to a fully English medium school, removing the current Welsh stream.

However, one of the requirements of the notice is that there are 15 school days within the objection period.

This could not be met due to the coronavirus-enforced closure of schools on March 20.

Councillors will discuss the plan on Thursday, May 28 with the meeting webcast online.

Categories: Education Coronavirus