THE headteacher of Ysgol y Preseli in Crymych, Michael Davies, has been named as the first headteacher of the Welsh-medium school for three to 16-year-olds currently being built in Haverfordwest.

Mr. Davies will remain in his present post and become executive head of both schools.

The appointment is the result of an agreement between the temporary governing body of the new school and governors at Ysgol y Preseli.

In a letter to parents and guardians of pupils at the Haverfordwest’s school’s four feeder schools, the chairman of the temporary governing body, Tegryn Jones, wrote: “It has been agreed to appoint Mr. Michael Davies, the current headteacher of Ysgol y Preseli, as executive head of the two schools over the next few years to support the establishment and development of the new school.

“The temporary governing body is delighted to have appointed Mr. Davies, who brings a wealth of experience in leading a successful Welsh medium school.

“We have confidence that he will bring the vision and the leadership skills to ensure that pupils attending the school will receive an excellent standard of education in a state-of-the-art building.”

In a letter to parents of pupils at Ysgol y Preseli, chairman of governors, Des Davies, said: “This will mean a re-organisation of responsibilities within the senior leadership team and the appointment of an additional teacher to ensure that the high standards achieved by the school are maintained.

“The above arrangements will be reviewed monthly by both governing bodies and the local education authority.”

Mr. Davies added that it had been agreed to establish a formal partnership between the two schools to ensure the continued success of Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire.

Mr. Michael Davies said: “It is a privilege to have been invited to become the executive headteacher of both Ysgol y Preseli and the new Welsh-medium three-16 school at Haverfordwest.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of establishing and developing the new school while ensuring that current standards remain high at Ysgol y Preseli.

“Building an effective partnership between the two schools will be key to the future success of Welsh medium education in Pembrokeshire.”

Meanwhile, a series of open evenings is being organised during the first two weeks of December and prospective pupils at the new school and their parents are invited to attend. Details will be announced shortly.

In order to accommodate those parents who have yet to decide on a preference for a secondary school place for September, 2018, the deadline for receipt of applications for all secondary school places in Pembrokeshire has been extended. This will allow valuable additional time for parents to express their preference.

Parents are therefore encouraged to submit their applications by January 5 via the county council website.