Nearly two and a half years after a devastating fire forced the closure of Manorbier Primary School, students, parents, and staff are still waiting for answers, and action.

The fire, which broke out on October 10, 2022, thankfully resulted in no injuries, but rendered the school building unusable.

In a remarkable show of resilience, staff and the local community rallied immediately, continuing lessons the next day, first in the village pub and then at Jameston Village Hall, where the school remains to this day.

However, the journey toward rebuilding has been mired in delay, confusion, and poor communication, according to parents, stating that the cause of the fire remains officially undetermined, and negotiations between the church (which owns the building), Pembrokeshire County Council, and insurers have dragged on with little clarity or transparency.

Parents state, that it took six months for Pembrokeshire Council to provide any official communication to them, and that only came after they lodged a formal complaint regarding the lack of updates.

A glimmer of hope arrived in October 2024, when PCC issued correspodence stating: ‘We have an estimated cost for the school’s reinstatement and this has been shared with the Council’s insurers. However, negotiations with the insurers remain ongoing regarding their contribution.

‘The draft business case has been completed, and pending the value of the insurers’ contribution towards the school reinstatement, this will form the basis of a Cabinet report in the next month or so.’

However, April 2025 has arrived, and not a single brick has been laid. When a parent followed up with the Council last month, the response was unexpected and deeply concerning.

According to an email dated March 27, the business case, while completed, is now unlikely to be considered until after the Council reviews findings from the newly formed School Modernisation Working Group.

This group, established in August 2024, is evaluating school organisation across Tenby and Preseli based on pupil population, available school places, and levels of surplus capacity.

This announcement blindsided parents, staff, and governors alike. The existence of the working group had not been publicly communicated. Many in the community feel that this latest delay is simply an excuse to postpone or avoid rebuilding the school.

The decision to tie Manorbier’s future to a broader organisational review has sparked frustration and fear that financial considerations - not educational needs - are driving the agenda.

While the Council insists that it is meeting its obligations by providing temporary accommodation in Jameston Village Hall, parents argue this is far from a long-term solution.

The hall, while functional, restricts the school’s ability to grow, limits facilities, and creates job insecurity for staff. It also deprives Jameston residents of a vital community resource.

“It would be a tragedy to see it become a permanent ruin,” said one concerned parent. “This delay isn’t just bureaucratic - it’s harmful to our children, our teachers, and the future of our community.”

With the Council’s review report not expected until May, and no guarantee of swift action thereafter, the future of Manorbier Primary remains uncertain.