Sir,

Over the summer I have waited to read in the local papers some reports of the progress on the building of our new Primary School.

I know there have been numerous site meetings because of problems, but no mention to the general public!

When the then Director of Education introduced the idea of this new build, it was to be a ‘state of the art’ Primary School, and when many staff members of the Infant School raised concerns, we were told we would be ‘disadvantaging our children if we turned this wonderful opportunity down.’

Now there are grave concerns over the new build, firstly lack of play areas. All schools now follow an ‘outside learning’ curriculum, and this experience will be limited for the English medium children because of lack of areas in which to provide this experience.

Secondly, I have heard that the build is already £800k over budget. This means that the furniture from the Infant School will have to be used to furnish the new build! Having been shown around the new builds in both Narberth and Pembroke Dock, I remember being impressed by the modern, up-to-date furniture and equipment on display! Why should Tenby be different to them?

I’m surprised that Tenby Town Council hasn’t been monitoring this new development, making sure that if we have to have it, it should be up to standard.

Where are our local Pembrokeshire councillors? Shouldn’t they be making sure that the English speaking children have the same facilities as the Welsh speakers?

I am sure that most people realise that each Welsh medium child receives more money per head than English speaking children (a fact that I strongly disagree with); now they also end up with a building not fit for purpose.

The saddest part of all this waste of money is the demolishment of the Infant School, a purpose-built building with three large playgrounds - well equipped for outdoor education.

Looks like another Cottage Hospital - a building that pretends to be a hospital, but was never intended to work as one. We will now have what looks like a new school - costing millions, but is never going to be as good as what we had before.

Sandra Williams,

Tenby.