Trustees of a Community Hall that is providing a temporary learning base for local pupils whose school was devastated by a fire last year, have said that the children are welcome to use the facility for as long as it takes to benefit their education.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s director of education has now written to parents of Manorbier Church in Wales VC School that was closed over three months ago after a fire broke out at the building, to reassure them, after fresh concerns were recently raised by councillors for the future of the facility.

County Councillor for the ward Cllr Phillip Kidney showed County Councillor Huw Murphy, chairman of PCC’s schools and learning scrutiny committee the scene of the fire damaged school earlier this month.

School staff and Cllr Kidney were assured by Cllr Murphy that he would raise questions with the local authority’s director of education Steven Richards-Downes as to when renovation work would commence and when pupils and staff could expect to return to their much missed school, as they continue their studies at their temporary base at nearby Jameston Community Hall.

Ray Hughes, chair of Jameston Community Association also wanted to reassure families that the building would be a learning facility for as long as it is needed.

“Obviously we all look forward to the day when the school's children, staff and parents are back in a secure situation, and the Jameston Community Hall can return to it's original role - but the Community Association is not in any way asking the school to move out, or pressurising them to leave,” he said.

“The Management Trustees responsible for the Hall’s policy, strategy or operation, are categorically and unanimously in favour of supporting the local community through this emergency situation.

“Things clearly had to move quickly in response to the fire, and some of the details had to wait until the immediate crisis was over. Now that it is, the Community Association is working with Pembrokeshire's director for children and schools and with local councillors to try and identify the most productive and efficient way forward.

“The bottom line is that so many parents and children have said how grateful they are to be in the village, and the last thing anyone wants is for them to face even more traumatic uncertainty. So while we do miss the Hall being in use for other groups, the management committee is clear that the short-term good of the families in our community has to be paramount,” he added.

In correspondence sent out last week to parents and guardians of pupils attending Manorbier VC School, PCC’s director of educationMr Richards-Downes stated: “Further to the events of 10 October 2022 and the fire which caused so much damage to the school, I wish to provide you with an assurance that work remains ongoing behind the scenes in to what is a complex situation.

“Needless to say that I am extremely grateful to the proprietor of Buttyland Caravan Park in providing assistance as part of the school’s evacuation arrangements, and allowing the school to continue to operate in the immediate aftermath of the fire, and to Manorbier Community Council for the use of Jameston Community Hall in the subsequent period.

“I am aware that the last three months have been difficult, but that the availability of Jameston Community Hall has meant that the school has been able to continue with its work. Indeed, I am grateful to the governing body, the Headteacher and all staff for their work in ensuring that any adverse impact on the children has been kept to a minimum.

“I’m sure you will appreciate that the aftermath of the fire has been challenging and has included the fire investigation work, building safety, matters involving the St David’s Diocese, and of course, insurance.

“In relation to the latter, there are a number of outstanding issues which are ongoing and which will need to be resolved before matters can be concluded. In view of this I envisage that the school will need to continue to operate from Jameston Community Hall for the time being.

“Sadly, I was informed earlier this week that the school building had been broken into with damage sustained to an isolated area; we are working closely with the police as part of their enquiries.

“Naturally I will ensure that parents and members of the governing body are kept appraised of the situation regarding the school and will provide further updates in due course,” he added.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council said that the matter surrounding the school was a ‘complex one’ with a number of parties involved. 

“The Council’s priority from day one has been ensuring that the school is able to operate for the benefit of the children attending the school. The Council reiterates its ongoing appreciation to Manorbier Community Council for the use of Jameston Hall,” they explained.

“We reviewed the situation concerning the ongoing use of the hall prior to the end of the autumn term 2022, and will do so again before the end of the current spring term.

“It remains too early to attempt to put any timescale on any restoration of the school to its previous state but the school community will be provided with further updates in due course.”