Latest news with #LynneNeagle
South Wales Argus
5 days ago
- General
- South Wales Argus
Free summer scheme returns to schools across Wales
The Food and Fun programme returns for the school holidays, offering children free activities and nutritious meals throughout the summer break. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the scheme, which first began as a pilot in Cardiff before expanding across Wales. Lynne Neagle, Wales' cabinet secretary for education, said: "The 'Food and Fun' School Holiday Enrichment Programme has helped tens of thousands of families over the last decade, providing free nutritious meals and enriching activities across the country. "I am very proud to mark this special anniversary by visiting the very successful and popular Pantside Primary Food and Fun scheme." The programme, now delivered in around 230 schools across all 22 Welsh local authorities, is fully funded by the Welsh Government and coordinated by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). More than 14,000 places will be available each day during the holidays, with each scheme offering at least 12 days of support. Since its launch, the scheme has provided more than 800,000 free places for children. Each day includes a healthy breakfast and lunch, along with activities ranging from cookery and sports to music and den building. Schools invite families to sign up during the summer term, and each scheme hosts a weekly family meal to bring communities together. This year, the Welsh Government has allocated more than £5.8 million to the programme, including an additional £1 million in funding. To celebrate the 10-year milestone, Ms Neagle visited Pantside Primary School to take part in the scheme. During her visit, she joined a cooking session where children made fruit kebabs, played a game of cricket, and enjoyed a healthy lunch. Ms Neagle said: "The summer holidays can be a challenging time for families and 'Food and Fun' highlights the important role that schools play in supporting children, their families and the local community. "At the heart of this scheme is the dedicated local authority and education workforce, who have formed fantastic partnerships with a variety of organizations to deliver a diverse range of activities for young people to enjoy."
BBC News
22-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
'Mystery' reptiles delay school opening in Wales
The opening of a new school building in Wales has been delayed by two years thanks to some mystery slithery creatures living at the site. Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwrwas, a Welsh-medium school (that means all the lessons are taught in Welsh) in Brackla, Bridgend, was meant to move to a new location this September, but that has now been pushed back until September 2027. The council said "the presence of reptiles at the new site has caused a delay to the completion of the ecology work". That means checking how animals, plants and nature might be affected by building the new school. The council hasn't said which reptiles are on the site, but they're likely to be either slow-worms, grass snakes, adders or common lizards which are often found in areas of the UK and are protected by law. Conservative South Wales West Senedd member Altaf Hussain said the delay was "devastating news for parents in Bridgend who wish for their children to learn through the medium of Welsh".Education Secretary Lynne Neagle from the Welsh government called the delay "regrettable" and said £500,000 had been provided for expansion of the existing school, with two temporary classroom buildings from this new school building has cost £18.6 million with room for 525 children aged four to 11. For now children at the school will have to stay put and the reptiles will soon be rehomed. A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council told the BBC: "The relocation of the reptiles is expected to take place over the coming summer period and further site investigation works will then be able to take place following the removal of the remaining scrub and brambles."
South Wales Argus
18-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Over 50 million free school meals served across Wales
The milestone comes as part of the Universal Primary Free School Meals programme, which began in 2022 and now offers every child in every Welsh primary school a free meal each day. First minister Eluned Morgan said: "Serving up school dinners to all our primary pupils for free provides vital support. "A year on from introducing the scheme to everyone, Wales is still the only UK nation to provide a free healthy meal for every primary learner. "It makes sure that no child feels hungry during the school day. "It helps their concentration and wellbeing and enabling them to achieve their full potential." The Welsh Government says the programme helps reduce health inequalities, encourages healthy eating, and supports children's learning and behaviour. The initiative also aims to source food locally where possible. Cabinet secretary for education, Lynne Neagle, said: "More than 50 million meals have been served since the introduction of Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is a remarkable milestone. "It is also a significant step in supporting Welsh families and tackling child poverty across our communities." Work is underway to review school food regulations, with a public consultation open until the end of July.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Mystery reptiles delay new Welsh school opening in Bridgend
The opening of a new school has been delayed by two years because reptiles have been found on the Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, a Welsh medium school in Brackla, Bridgend, was due to move to a new location nearby this September but the council has put back the opening date to September council said "the presence of reptiles at the new site has caused a delay to the completion of the ecology work" but is not yet revealing which particular cold-blooded creatures have been animals, who will be found a new home over the summer, are likely to be slow-worms, grass snakes, adders, or South Wales West Senedd member Altaf Hussain said the delay was "devastating news for parents in Bridgend who wish for their children to learn through the medium of Welsh".Education Secretary Lynne Neagle called the later opening "regrettable" and said £500,000 had been provided for temporary expansion on the current site. Of the UK's six native reptile species, four have been found to be living in Bridgend county borough. These are:the slow-worm (anguis fragilis)grass snakes (natrix natrix)adder or European viper (vipera berus)the common or viviparous lizard (zootoca vivipara) The move to the larger site is expected to cost around £18.6m, with 525 places expected for children aged four to 11 as well as a 90-place said in the Senedd the extra places are "much needed in the local area" and that the delay is "devastating news".Neagle responded that the Welsh government is "working with the local authority to mitigate the impact of that on young people".She said this includes providing funding of nearly £500,000 to allow the short-term expansion of Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr, with two temporary classroom buildings from this September. 'Relocation of the reptiles' A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council told the BBC: "We remain focused on progressing school modernisation plans for a replacement Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Ogwr but the presence of reptiles at the new site has caused a delay to the completion of the ecology work."With this in mind and following consultation with the school's governing body, our cabinet recently approved a new opening date of September 2027. "The relocation of the reptiles is expected to take place over the coming summer period and further site investigation works will then be able to take place following the removal of the remaining scrub and brambles."Planning and architectural design work is continuing to take place and we look forward to providing further updates in the coming months."
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
£70m net-zero carbon school officially opens in Abergavenny
King Henry VIII 3-19 School in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, is the first operationally net-zero carbon all-through school in Wales. Funded by Monmouthshire County Council and the Welsh Government through the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, the project marks a major investment in sustainable education. Cllr Laura Wright, Monmouthshire County Council's cabinet member for education, said: "This building is more than bricks and mortar. "It's a beacon for a modern education system in Wales, designed to inspire, to nurture, and to empower our young people." An official opening took place on July 10 and was attended by Welsh Government cabinet secretary for education Lynne Neagle. Ms Neagle said: "As our first operationally net-zero carbon all-through school, not only will our learners benefit from high-quality facilities, but they will also benefit from learning in a sustainable school environment. "What has been achieved here is truly inspiring for our learners." The school's through-school strategy was showcased with performances from pupils of all ages. Monmouthshire County Council was also named Client of the Year at the Constructing Excellence in Wales Awards for its leadership on the project. The council will now represent Wales at the UK National Awards later this year.
