Mosque Education Scheme

No pupils have been placed in a new education centre connected to Haverfordwest’s mosque and no council funding has been transferred, Pembrokeshire councillors heard.

A question submitted to the October 9 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council by Councillor John Cole asked: “With the opening of a new educational school at Haverfordwest Mosque, can the Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language [Cllr Guy Woodham] reply to the following?

“How many children who attended mainstream schools, children due to have returned or started at a mainstream school in September now attend the Peace school, as it is known?

“How has the funding of these children, if they have transferred to the Peace school, impacted mainstream schools due to any former pupils not now attending, or were due to attend, and has those pupils funding attending the Peace school, transferred to their place of education with them?

“From a question put by myself to the headteacher of the Peace school I was told that the school would not be following the national curriculum. As the school is not following the national curriculum, is the Peace school out of the jurisdiction of Ofsted and the educational department of the council?”

A call was made for the “vexatious” and “hearsay” question to be withdrawn by Cllr Joshua Beynon, but was unsuccessful, the question being answered by Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey on behalf of the Cabinet member.

Cllr Harvey said the actual name of the learning centre was Cherry Grove Learning Centre, based at the former Cherry Grove council office building, rather than ‘Peace school’.

He told Cllr Cole no children had been placed at the centre by the council, and no funding had been transferred.

He told members independent private schools were not required to follow the national curriculum, instead following independent schools standards guidelines, but stressed, as far as the council was aware, it was not currently registered as an independent school.

Cllr Harvey suggested Cllr Cole “pop along” to the learning centre if he had any further questions about it.

Cherry Grove Learning Centre, a learning environment for children and young people aged three to 18, officially opened its doors last month.

At the time of the launch, its principal, Saj Madni, said: “Cherry Grove offers a personalised, child-centred approach to learning.

“With small group teaching, bespoke education plans, and a focus on academic achievement, wellbeing and leadership, the centre supports learners from a wide range of backgrounds – including those who are ambitious, anxious, neurodivergent, previously home-educated, or simply looking for a fresh start.”

Cllr Cole also submitted a notice of motion at the October 9 meeting, again with an unsuccessful request for it not to be heard by Cllr Beynon.

The notice said: “I call on the council to review the use of halal products in all council-controlled organisations and in facilities supported financially by the council, such as educational establishments, canteens, restaurants, and healthcare facilities.

“Research and reports have highlighted concerns regarding animal welfare in some methods of ritual slaughter, including non-stun slaughter, where animals may experience distress before loss of consciousness. Even with reversible stunning, questions remain about the welfare implications during slaughter.”

That notice of motion will be considered by Cabinet at a later date.