The vision of former Secretary of State for Wales, Paul Murphy MP – now Lord Murphy of Torfaen – the Seren Network was established in 2014 to provide pupils and teachers with the support they need to ensure more students reach their academic potential and progress to the UK’s top universities. Initially comprising three regional pilot hubs, the network has expanded rapidly. At the start of the 2016-17 academic year, it will have grown to 11 hubs, covering the whole of Wales and helping more than 2000 students reach their academic potential. At the beginning of each academic year the brightest and most applied students are invited to attend their region’s hub, based on their fantastic GCSE results.
Neath Port Talbot, Powys and Bridgend founded a hub which started in December 2015. The contacts for the Local Authorities are:
Mrs Karen Thomas – NPT 14-19 Strategic Manager
Mr John Fabes – Specialist Officer: Post 16 Education and Training john.fabes@bridgend.gov.uk
Ms Jayne Bevan – Strategic Programme Manager jayne.bevan@powys.gov.uk