A PETITION calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to keep Manorbier School open has attracted nearly 400 signatures in just over a week.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire on October 11, 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

A ‘school from school’ has been set up in Jameston Village Hall.

At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, members backed a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which included statutory consultation with the St David’s Diocese on proposals to discontinue Manorbier School.

At the July meeting, a response from the St Davids Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF) said: “It is vital that PCC, council members and the public are aware the DBF have always required that the school be reinstated and that this has been put to PCC on a number of occasions, in writing and in meetings.

“From the date of the fire up until May 2025, the DBF has always been led to believe that the school would be reinstated by PCC.”

The DBF stated it was against the proposal to discontinue Manorbier, asking: “Would a consultation on the closure of Manorbier VC School have been proposed had it not been ravaged by fire?”

The recommendations to enter into general public consultations on the two schools were passed at that meeting.

Since then, an e-petition, on the county council’s own website, has been set up by Rebecca Williams, gaining nearly 400 signatures to date.

The petition says closure of the school “will have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of our children, their families and the wider community.” It states: “Ysgol Maenorbyr believes in our pupils being at the heart of what we do, and as such we offer support for each and every individual, regardless of ability.

“From 8 am until 4.30pm our school is open, offering Breakfast club, Ducklings Playgroup, and After School clubs alongside the normal school day. These extra curricular activities are all free.

“Our school has direct transport links, train and bus, which ensures families who don’t have transport can attend. This is quite unique for a rural school.”

The school has been open since 1873. The petition adds: “We would have been celebrating our 150-year anniversary there in January 2023, had it not been for the fire that damaged the building,” and concludes:

“We, the undersigned, beseech Pembrokeshire County Council to reconsider its decision to close Manorbier Church in Wales School and instead honour its promise to rebuild the school; prioritise the needs of the community by rebuilding the school; allowing the dedicated staff and families the opportunity to open its doors to everyone once again…

“We urge you to rebuild our school, as promised; to engage in a meaningful dialogue with the community; listen to our concerns, and work with us to find a solution that supports the needs of our children and families.”

The petition, runs to November 26, 2025 and is accessible on the council’s website.