THE proposed change of Fishguard High Schools name to Ysgol Bro Gwaun has prompted fears among parents of a hidden agenda.

Some are concerned that the new name will eventually lead to Fishguard becoming a Welsh-language school.

Haverfordwest councillor Peter Stock spoke of their worries at Pembrokeshire County Councils first cabinet meeting on Monday.

He said: Ive had quite a few telephone calls and the concern of a lot of parents outside Fishguard is that this is the first step in making Fishguard a Welsh school on the same lines as Crymych (Ysgol y Preseli).

Some parents are looking at sending their children to Haverfordwest if thats going to happen.

He asked for assurances from the cabinet that this was not going to be the case.

Councillor John Davies, cabinet member in charge of Young People and the Welsh Language, said there was certainly no hidden agenda. I think we need to reassure people this is a name change - nothing more, nothing less, he said.

This provides a new identity for a very successful school. It reflects the environment of Fishguard. What this does is underline the ethos of Ysgol Bro Gwaun - that it is a school for Fishguard and the surrounding area. He said that if there was a significant change to the curriculum the council would have to issue a statutory notice.

Councillor Brian Howells said that the new name was put forward following full consultations with parents and student representatives. With few exceptions, they support the change, he said.

The governing body felt that the new name better reflects the catchment area, which has a family of 12 schools. The schools wants to identify itself with the larger community.

The cabinet approved the proposal to change the name.