With discussions set to take place today (May 8) over the future of Manorbier School, Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has written to the Local Authority’s leader, highlighting how he feels matters should have been communicated ‘more effectively’ with the community - especially given previous assurances that the school would be rebuilt.

There has been an angry reaction to news that a recommendation to ‘discontinue’ Manorbier VC School - left devastated by a fire back in 2022 - is to be put to a full meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council today - with the Local Authority accused of showing a ‘staggering’ lack of understanding and communication over the facility’s future, to those it affects.

As part of their role in reviewing education provision in the Tenby area, members of the Local Authority’s ‘School Modernisation Working Group’ have made a recommendation to be considered by full council, for statutory consultation to be commenced on the proposal, after considering the evidence on a ‘range of factors’.

The Council will at first be required to consult with the St David’s Diocese, with its subsequent response needing to be considered prior to approval to undertake general consultation.

Councillors had heard at the end of last year, that there would be hopes the school would be back open by April 2026, at a cost of around £2.6m to reinstate the facility. However, that consideration now seeems up in the air.

Ahead of this meeting, Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Samuel Kurtz has taken the opportunity to write to PCC’s leader Cllr Jon Harvey, to share his views on the matter.

“I have been a strong supporter of Manorbier VC School, and the way the school community has responded following the devastating fire of October 2022 has been nothing short of extraordinary,” stated Mr Kurtz.

“In the face of adversity, they have demonstrated remarkable resilience and commitment. As Pembrokeshire County Council considers the school’s future, I wish to acknowledge and pay tribute to the Headteacher, staff, governors, and pupils of this outstanding primary school.

“Despite extremely challenging circumstances, they have continued to thrive, not only in terms of academic achievement, but also in nurturing the emotional wellbeing, confidence, and personal development of their pupils.

“This situation is yet another reminder of how, I believe, the Council could have communicated more effectively with the community, especially given previous assurances that the school would be rebuilt.”

A report that is set to go before full council states: “There has been a 59.8% decline in the school’s pupil population during the period 2015-2025, with no indication that this will be significantly reversed during the next 5-6 years.

“This decline cannot be attributed wholly to the fire which occurred in October 2022, with a 30.7% decline from 2015 to 2022.

“In relation to the proposal for the discontinuation of Manorbier VC School, it is anticipated that the school’s catchment area would be subsumed into the catchment/s of one or more of its neighbouring schools.

“For example, subject to a decision for the school’s catchment to be wholly included as part of the catchment of St Florence VC School, or Tenby VC School, and subject to parental preference for all children on roll at Manorbier VC School to transfer to either of those schools.

“Discussions are close to concluding with insurers for a cash in lieu of repairs settlement, but it is reasonable to conclude that an insurance settlement would fall far short of the cost of reinstating the school.

“It is important to recognise that a decision to reinstate the building to enable the school to return operationally will require capital investment and that this will need to adhere to the governance arrangements in the Council’s Capital Strategy.