Education Roundtable

The Open Party warmly invites education professionals from across the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency to join an Education Roundtable at the Mercure Hotel, Newport, on Wednesday 4 March 2026 from 7:00pm to 8:30pm. Headteachers, senior leaders, and other education staff are all very welcome to attend.

The Open Party is a policy neutral platform focused on improving the democratic process by helping politicians better understand specialist fields such as education. This event will provide a constructive and respectful environment where education professionals can share their experience and insights directly with prospective Senedd candidates.

This is not a campaign event. Candidates will attend in a listening capacity only. Their role is to learn from your experience, ask questions, and deepen their understanding of the realities facing schools today. They will not be making speeches, promoting policies, or advancing party agendas.

The session will be a guided discussion exploring topics such as:

• The biggest challenges facing education nationally
• Frontline challenges affecting schools locally
• What is and is not working in current public policy
• Policy changes that could positively impact schools, staff, and pupils

Four Open Party candidates for the Casnewydd Islwyn constituency will be present. As independent candidates without a fixed party manifesto, they have the freedom to listen carefully and reflect on what they learn from local education professionals. Invitations have also been extended to candidates from other parties so that the benefit of the discussion can be shared as widely as possible.

To encourage open and honest conversation, the event will not be recorded, minuted, or transcribed. There will also be opportunities for informal one-to-one conversations with candidates during breaks and after the session.

This roundtable offers a valuable opportunity for education professionals to help inform the understanding and priorities of future Senedd representatives.

Parking is available nearby at Friars Walk Car Park (NP20 1EA).