Mr James retired from his head teacher post in August 2011. He left the position having led the school to an 11% improvement on GCSE grades from 2010.
Upon receiving the honour he comments “I am obviously delighted at receiving this award, it has been a truly humbling experience. Whilst I am privileged to receive the MBE, I have worked alongside many wonderful people throughout my career who have been continuously supportive. I hope to continue my work within the sector with my role at New Directions”.

Gary Williams, Managing Director for New Directions Education Ltd adds “We were delighted to welcome Meredydd to the team. With his knowledge, passion and commitment to the education sector we knew he would add great value. The MBE is thoroughly deserved”.

The MBE award was established in 1917 by King George V. It acknowledges and recognises individuals work within their communities. Mr James has dedicated over 40 years of his career to the education sector.

Gerald Lyons, Chief Economist for Standard Chartered remarked “the UK has already slipped back into recession this quarter, and firms are thinking twice about making investments”.

In direct response to the report John Andrews, Group Director of Operations for New Directions Holdings Ltd says “As one of Wales recognised fastest growing companies, we continue to thrive despite the reported downturn. We acknowledge any change within the country’s economy cannot be ignored; so as we look to the future we try to develop new markets to keep Wales buoyant.”

New Directions Holdings Ltd continues to diversify into new markets. In recent years they have expanded into the rest of the UK with offices in Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham and London.

Head of Business Studies has set up a Christmas Fayre between the hours of 3.00pm to 4.30pm.

Pupils have created Christmas gifts, cakes and decorations in order to sell to staff, pupils and parents.

A good business work ethic and a very Merry way to start the Christmas period.

 Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Amongst many of the exciting activities planned to raise money for the charity all staff and pupils will wear fancy dress.

It is pyjama day at the Centre – lets hope they do not fall asleep and raise a lot of money for the charity!

Best of Luck from all at New Directions Education!

Lord Mayor Ioan Richard officially opened the site which stands on the old Graig Primary site.

New Directions wishes all the best to the new School and hopes the new academic year is going off with a bang.

With the support of a Kidwelly-based construction company Dyfrig Dalziel, the children helped to create vegetable plots.

Head teacher Ceri Morris said:

We would like to say a big thank you to the company for thinking of us because this has really been an exciting project for us. The children really enjoyed the day, and I'm sure that the plots they have given will be used for years to come

All donations were made to UNICEF which supported the famine in Somalia. The donations were brought to School in decorated envelopes.

I’m sure they are very proud and all enjoyed the harvest celebrations.

Well done Parkland!

Llanrhidian Primary have introduced ducks and chickens to a previously unused area of their grounds, and in addition the children are also working with a local farmer to grow vegetables which are then either cooked in school or sold at a farmers market at the school.

The farm developed out of a need to make better use of the school grounds and was started when a local farmer donated some duck eggs, some of which hatched into ducklings. This was soon followed by the donation of some chickens and a pond being dug.

The farm has proved to have huge benefits to the children, learning many new skills without even realising it. It has been the childrens responsibility to maintain and care for the farm and the animals housed on it. It has also become an area where children can be taken if they are upset as it has been found that being around the animals has a calming effect.

The lunar samples were provided by the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council and are some of 382kg of material brought back to earth by Apollo astronauts.

The pupils were thrilled to learn more about the space missions and handle the objects.

After the wedding the newly weds jetted off to sunny Mexico to enjoy their honeymoon.

A lovely evening was had by the whole Swansea team.

Best wishes to Nicola & her husband, Mr & Mrs Hopkins!