I AM delighted that the latest consultation on the future of education in Haverfordwest appears to have taken into account the views of pupils and parents alike who wish to retain sixth form education in a new 11-19 secondary school.

The consultation should pave the way to building a new 11-19 school on one site as soon as is practicable.

Should the intention be to create a ‘two centre’ site in the interim, the process would inevitably create issues such as timetabling, travel between the two sites (taking away valuable teaching time), the sharing of resources, possible delays in achieving one new school and the continuing use of unsuitable buildings.

It would not, in my opinion, raise standards. In fact it would more than likely contribute to lowering standards further.

Parents/guardians would need to be consulted initially on the viability of ‘designating Johnston CP School and Neyland CP School as feeder schools to Milford Haven School’ to take into account any siblings who are already attending Haverfordwest Schools. This suggestion may have to be ‘phased’ in.

The best option for all pupils of all ages would be to continue with Tasker Milward and Sir Thomas Picton as two separate schools until such time as the new 11-19 school has been built.

In this way there would be no disruption to timetabling, staffing, travel or education of our children. Efforts should be made to expedite the building of the new 11-19 school with the council using all its manpower to this end.

This fiasco has gone on long enough! With the crass mishandling of the previous consultations and the attendant publicity it behoves our council to ‘pull their fingers out’ and get the job done!

PHENIAH PATTERSON

Governor of a Tasker Milward feeder school