AS an ex-headteacher I was extremely interested in the debate in County Hall regarding sixth form education in Haverfordwest and attended in the public gallery.

The decision to cease to have a sixth form provision in secondary schooling in Haverfordwest will rip the heart out of the school. The senior pupils in a school provide an essential service. In the best examples they act as role models and even an additional leadership strand.

Their sporting, cultural activities and focus on academic work can be part of the inspiration that is needed by younger pupils.

It is a very big statement to decide that a better quality of education is going to be provided by Pembrokeshire College than in Haverfordwest secondary education and extremely insulting to our teachers.

The consultation exercise had shown that over 70% of pupils, parents and teachers wanted sixth form education within a secondary school, but their views were totally cast aside by the ‘Adams family’.

One councillor who had been involved in the scrutiny of standards in secondary schooling was scathing in her remarks.

I well remember the time when Pembrokeshire was well up the league tables for education in Wales and the county council bathing in the glory of the way in which they were leading education in the county. Now, when it is not doing so well it is the schools’ fault. Our council is responsible for the sun when it is shining but it is someone else’s fault when it is raining.

Any discerning member of the public who wants an analysis of where the blame lies should read the Estyn reports of the county’s administration of education and for more general analysis the Wales Audit Office reports.

I am not privy to the way in which the scrutiny process was carried out, but I wonder if any of the following questions were asked of the schools: lAre you satisfied with the support and guidance you receive from the Education Authority?

lDo you get enough provision for the small minority of pupils who are disrupting the education of the majority?

lDo you have confidence in the way the council is leading education in our county?

A very interesting scrutiny would be to find the opinion of the teaching profession in the county and see if they have confidence in the way they are being led.

Admirable councillors, and we do have some, such as Jacob Williams, Mike Stoddard, Mike Evans, Peter Stock and others made speeches of substance that were totally unmatched by the leadership, but unfortunately the ‘nodding donkeys’ won again. Over 70% of the peoples views are cast aside, it is called autocracy not democracy.

Another sad day for Pembrokeshire. When is it going to end?

WILLIAM REES

Pembroke Dock