Milford Haven School is an English medium comprehensive

co-educational Mixed-sex education, also known as mixed-gender education, co-education, or coeducation (abbreviated to co-ed or coed), is a system of education where males and females are educated together. Whereas single-sex education was more common up to t ...

school of 1061 students (including 6th form), in Milford Haven,

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...

History and Catchment

The site of the school was the former Milford Haven Grammar School, opened in 1964. In 1988, a remodelled Comprehensive school was opened, incorporating pupils of the former Central Secondary Modern School.Wing Commander Ken McKay ''A Vision Of Greatness: The History of Milford 1790-1990'', Brace Harvatt Associates, 1989. The site had initially been the subject of some criticism of its suitability, due to both its inconvenient distance from the town centre, and also the potential danger of locating the school beside a main road.The Development of Secondary Education in Milford Haven 1902 - 1964
Johnson, Barry; Presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.Ed.UCW, 1974 Its catchment area includes the town of Milford Haven and the area extending westwards to Dale.www.milfordhavenschool.co.uk
School Website, Retrieved 4 October 2013 Just over 18% of pupils are eligible for free school meals compared with the Welsh average of about 15% for secondary schools. Very few pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes. Just under 2% of pupils have statements of special educational needs.Outcome of monitoring visit Milford Haven School 2012
Eystyn Inspection Information, Retrieved 28 December 2014

Sixth Form

In October 2019, school governors wrote to Pembrokeshire County Council requesting that a consultation be carried out to end sixth form provision. Falling pupil numbers, reduced curriculum options and provision not meeting the needs of learners were cited as contributory factors. The announcement provoked a negative reaction in the local community, the response included an online petition and concerns that pupils would have to travel long distances for sixth form education.

Accommodation and Facilities

The school is located in the northern outskirts of Milford Haven, bordering Steynton. It is surrounded by agricultural land to the north, and private housing estates to the east and west. In addition to the original buildings which comprised the grammar school, four newer blocks are integrated into this structure. Sports facilities include a multi-purpose sports hall and a gymnasium, tennis courts and an all-weather pitch with flood-lighting.

Staff

There are 61 teaching staff, including the Headteacher, two Deputy Heads and two Assistant Heads. Headteacher Mr Islwyn Morgan retired in December 2012, and in January 2013 was replaced by Mr Rod Francis. Rod Francis left the position in September 2017 and was replaced by Acting Headteacher, Beverley Davies. Ceri-Ann Morris took up the position permanently in April 2018.

Controversy

The school became the subject of controversy in October 2013 when a pupil was punished for shaving his head to raise money for charity. This led to a protest on Friday 4 October 2013 attended by 353 pupils, which resulted in the pupil being permitted to return. A joint statement was released by Miss O'Neill (parent of the pupil) and Milford Haven School following the incident. In January 2019 the school became the focus of media attention due to two alleged incidents of bullying. Police were called to the school site on 11 January, responding to an incident in which a male pupil was filmed appearing to be assaulted by a large group of children. The video was shared widely on social media. Later in January, a fourteen year old vegan pupil at the school claimed that he was assaulted, and force fed bacon. The boy was left with post-concussion syndrome. The school's spokesman said: 'the matter has been dealt with in accordance with the Governing Body's approved policies and procedures', but according to the pupil's mother, they still feel let down by the school. In 2017, 14 year old pupil Megan Evans committed suicide at her home, after allegedly being bullied. Her parents accused the school of inaction, in spite of claiming they made it aware of the situation, contributing to her death. A coroner's decision is anticipated in 2020.

Notable alumni

Sarah Waters Sarah Ann Waters (born 21 July 1966) is a Welsh novelist. She is best known for her novels set in Victorian society and featuring lesbian protagonists, such as '' Tipping the Velvet'' and '' Fingersmith''. Life and education Early life Sa ...

, an award-winning novelist. * John Cooper, a serial killer from Milford Haven attended the Grammar School. * Andrew Salter (born 1993), cricketer * George Winter, actor who appeared in the films Scum, and All Quiet on the Western Front. *Rosalyn Wild, finalist in Britain's Kindest Kid. *

Sarah Howells Sarah Howells is a Welsh singer-songwriter and photographer also known as Bryde. She was previously one half of the Welsh folk / indie band Paper Aeroplanes. She has been performing as the solo project 'Bryde' since 2016. Biography Howells formed ...

, a British singer-songwriter and trance vocalist.Meet The Band Special: "Paper Aeroplanes' Sarah Howells Discusses Little Letters"
Milford Mercury, 10 May 2013

External links

Milford Haven School

The Development of Secondary Education in Milford Haven 1902 - 1964
Johnson, Barry, 1974

References

{{authority control Secondary schools in Pembrokeshire Educational institutions established in 1988 Milford Haven 1988 establishments in Wales Buildings and structures in Milford Haven