A formal federation of two rural Pembrokeshire schools has been backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors.

Back in April, a formal consultation of a potential federation was backed by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet after members noted the decisions of St Florence VC School and Penrhyn VC School to commence consultation on establishing formal federations.

A report for members at that meeting said the two schools had been in an informal ‘soft federation’ since September 2022, with the headteacher of St Florence acting as Executive Headteacher.

“Prior to this period, the headteacher at Penrhyn VC School was a longstanding appointment since the school opened in September 2017 and subsequently leaving the authority in August 2022,” the report said, adding: “In order to ‘formalise’ the collaboration that is currently taking place, the governing bodies of both schools have considered establishing a federation. The initial soft federation was set up due to challenges in recruiting a headteacher at Penrhyn VC School.”

In the report given by the Local Authority’s Cabinet member for education, Cllr Guy Woodham, it was stressed the federation is “not an amalgamation, a take-over or a route to closure,” but a partnership of the two schools “sharing a joint vision for a venture that would serve the interests of pupils, staff and both school communities”.

Following the consultation, members of the November meeting of the Cabinet were asked to implement the proposal to establish the federation, with effect from January 1 of next year, and that the Instrument of Government for the Federation of St Florence and Penrhyn Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled Schools be approved.

In a report before November’s Cabinet, again presented by Cllr Woodham, members heard the consultation, which attracted 25 responses, saw an overwhelming majority, some 88 per cent, in favour of formal federation.

It added: “The consultation demonstrates a strong case for proceeding with the federation, with clear benefits identified and manageable concerns that can be addressed through careful planning and ongoing engagement. A majority of responses commented favourably on the leadership of the collaboration since its commencement during the 2022/23 academic year.”

The responses to the consultation were considered by the two schools’ governing bodies at extraordinary meetings on September 18; each governing body resolving to proceed with the federation proposals and to recommend their approval to Cabinet, the report said.

It went on to acknowledge the concerns “of a small number of Penrhyn School parents, in particular,” but said the advice given was “based on a pragmatic approach to the recruitment challenges being faced”.

It concluded it “is considered that proceeding to establish a federation provides the most appropriate means of securing stable and formal leadership for the St Florence Church in Wales VC School and Penrhyn Church in Wales VC School”.

Cabinet members unanimously backed the federation recommendation, with Pembrokeshire County Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey saying: “The important thing is both governing bodies are more than happy, there’s no opposition to it from what I can see.”