Save our Schools!
The future of two Church in Wales Schools is under threat in Pembrokeshire. Diocesan Director of Education, Canon John Cecil, outlines the Diocese’s opposition to the proposal.
Pembrokeshire County Council has gone to public consultation to determine the future of two Pembrokeshire Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled Schools despite objections from the Diocese and the local community.
- Manorbier
In October 2022 Manorbier Church in Wales VC School was destroyed by fire and the children were forced to continue their education at the nearby Jameston Community Hall. Staff at the school have worked tirelessly to create a stimulating learning environment for the children and this was recognised by Estyn when they inspected the school in December 2023.
Pembrokeshire County Council reassured the Diocese and the local community that the school would be rebuilt and that the children would return to their much-loved school building. These reassurances continued to be made as late as December 2024. However, the position changed shortly after with total rebuild costs and falling pupil numbers being cited as reasons to consider closure.
The Diocese is of the opinion that Pembrokeshire County Council must honour their agreement to reinstate the school. The fire damaged building belongs to the Diocese and as such must be returned in a fully repaired state. It makes no sense for the children not to return to a school that has served its community for over 150 years. Diocesan Officers have attempted to work with Pembrokeshire County Council to resolve the matter, but to no avail.
- Cilgerran
Cilgerran VC School is another that is under threat. The reason given for closure by Pembrokeshire County Council is to allow the school’s Voluntary Controlled status to be removed meaning that the school would reopen as a County Primary School (CP).
This would make it easier for the school to be federated with neighbouring schools to help resolve the headteacher recruitment crisis which is evident throughout Wales. Cilgerran VC is a thriving school with stable learner numbers and good outcomes achieved by the children who attend there. The local community very much values the links that the school has with the Church and parents feel that their children benefit from the Christian values that the school teaches.
The Diocese has objected to the proposal as the nearest Church in Wales School from Cilgerran is over 23 miles away in Letterston and this places a significant burden on families who wish their children to continue their education in a Church in Wales School.
The matter of federation can be resolved by welcoming more County Primary Schools into the Church School family and changing their status from CP to VC. There has been a precedent for doing this in Pembrokeshire in the past, with several successful Church in Wales schools being created this way in the recent years.
The Diocese remains firmly against both proposals and Bishop Dorrien visited both schools in February 2026 to offer his support and gratitude to the staff and governors for all their hard work in challenging circumstances.
He was impressed with the standard of education in both schools and in the Christian values displayed by the children. The Education Directorate is proud of all the Church Schools in the Diocese and remains committed to ensuring that faith-based education continues in Pembrokeshire and that more schools have the opportunity of working with the Diocese of St Davids in the future.