The action is without precedent in a City which has always prided itself on having the best schools in the country.
Ofsted report Oct 2015
Both staff and governors are criticised in the report.
Recently a temporary head was appointed to run the school
No response from the York Council has yet been published.
All admissions authorities in the City of York Council area are consulting parents and carers on new policies and the number of places available for the school year starting in September 2017.
The consultation includes all admissions policies and the planned number of places available at each school in the year of entry to primary, junior, secondary school and sixth forms. The views of parents, carers, schools as well as governors, teachers and other interested parties are being sought before the closing date of 15 December 2015.
The fairness and accessibility of information available, application processes, planned admission numbers, admission policies and oversubscription criteria are all currently being consulted on. All comments will be forwarded to the relevant admissions authority for their consideration before agreeing these arrangements
Following consultation, each admissions authority will formally set its admission arrangements by 28 February 2016. These will be published on each admissions authority’s websites by 15 March 2016 after which date objections can be raised to the Schools Adjudicator.
Three Coordinated Admissions Schemes are being consulted on for entry into all Primary (Reception), Junior (Year 3) and Secondary (Year 7) schools. The consultation also includes policies for York’s Community and Voluntary Controlled schools, as well as the 12 Admissions Policies for Academy and Voluntary Aided schools in the city. All documents offered for consultation are in their draft (pre-determined) form.
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Pupils from Archbishop of York Junior School have received national recognition for their involvement in a school safety campaign.
The pupils won the award for partnership working for schools in Yorkshire and Humber at the National School Travel Awards for their Modeshift STARS work.
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click to view video
While the region has the highest adult smoking prevalence in England (20.1% compared to an England average of 18%), only one in eight 15-year-olds smoke and the proportion of young smokers is dropping.
Within the next decade there could be a generation of children that don’t smoke. .
City of York Council’s Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health Councillor Carol Runciman said: “We want children who have started school this year to be the pioneers of a smokefree generation: today’s five year olds can be smokefree at 15 when they are preparing for their GCSEs and so can all the year groups following them.
“They can be smokefree when they leave school or college and as adults. Breathe 2025 is about how all of us can inspire and help them to make that happen.”
The campaign is being run by a collaboration of partners across Yorkshire and the Humber, including City of York Council and Public Health England.
People and organisations are being asked to show their support by going to the campaign website or Facebook page and signing up to one or more simple, practical actions. This could be pledging to watch and share the Breathe 2025 video, or promising to display a Breathe 2025 poster. There are a range of simple actions to choose from, as individuals or on behalf of an organisation such as a school, GP or local business.
Councillor Runciman continues: “Giving children and young people the best start in life is a priority for City of York Council, parents, family members and many other organisations and communities in York – and not smoking is a great start so please go to the Breathe 2025 website and show your support.”
City of York Council’s Interim Director of Public Health, Sharon Stoltz said: “Evidence suggests that if young people don’t start using tobacco by the age of 26 they will almost certainly never start, so we have a great opportunity here to transform the health of our region and we can do it within the next 10 years.
“It is estimated that smoking in York costs society around £50.1m annually and smoking breaks cost businesses in York £24.2m each year. Around one in two smokers die from a smoking-related illness. If we can prevent young people from smoking that’s not just an investment in their health as individuals, it’s an investment in a healthier future for everyone.”
The Breathe 2025 website is at www.Breathe2025.org.uk
The governing bodies of Joseph Rowntree School and Canon Lee School have agreed to appoint Richard Crane as the new Executive Headteacher of both schools, as it is a requirement for all schools to have a permanent substantive Headteacher.
Current Acting Headteacher Frances Johnston will continue to play a vital role as Associate Headteacher in the leadership of Canon Lee School.
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Clifton Without Junior School
A preliminary report says, the building, which is on the site of Canon Lee School, has been unused by the school for over a year due to the school no longer needing the space and the accelerating costs of maintaining the site.
It is a Children’s Services Education and Skills (CSES) asset that has condition issues that are a cause for concern. Inclement weather exacerbates this deterioration.
The building is also a security risk because it is unoccupied.
The Executive Member will be asked for their approval to demolish the Clifton Without Junior building apart from two storage areas used by Canon Lee School.
8,000 families in York will lose out under Conservative plans to cut tax credits.Figures produced by the House of Commons Library show over three million low-income working families currently in receipt of tax credits will see their entitlement reduced, as part of the Government’s proposals.
Despite claims from the Conservatives that those affected will benefit from plans to increase the minimum wage, the independent Institute for Fiscal Studies has said Tory figures don’t stack up. IFS analysis shows a £750 average annual loss for families in York will only be offset by £200 as a result of the new minimum wage.
Liberal Democrats have opposed the move and said it undermines the work of the Coalition Government, to make sure it always pays more to be in work than on benefits.
Cllr Sue Hunter (pictured), Liberal Democrat Councillor for Westfield, said:
“The changes to tax credits will hammer families inYork. The move completely undermines any claim the Tories have of being on the side of working families.
“What makes this even worse is that 12,200 children in our area will now be forced to live in poorer households, reducing their life chances and making it harder for their parents to make ends meet.
“Study after study have shown that the Conservative’s claim to be supporting low income families through a minimum wage increase nowhere near make up for these cuts. It’s time for them to come clean and be honest with those doing the right thing and going out to work.
“I am pleased that Lib Dems are opposing this measure. We worked hard in the Coalition to ensure that work would always pay more than choosing to remain on benefits. It is a disgrace the Conservatives are now undermining this.”
The Lib Dems are currently opposing the plans in the House of Lords: http://www.libdems.org.uk/lib-dems-table-fatal-motion-tax-credits
Steps to Success, held in partnership with York St John University and The University of York, was held on Tuesday 20 October with the aim of providing attendees with information on education and training options, as well as career routes.
The event housed 58 stands at the racecourse providing a wealth of information on Sixth Forms, Colleges, Universities, Apprenticeship Training Providers, Employers and other Support Services.
Running throughout the evening was a rolling programme of presentations including; Options for Key Stage 4 and Beyond, Options for Post 16 Education and Training, Apprenticeships, Progression to Higher Education and Future Job Opportunities.
Anyone parents or young people unable to attend the event who would like a copy of the parents’ guides or more information from the event please contact Beverley Wills on beverley.wills@york.gov.uk or call 01904 553008
Woman talking on phone and using laptop computer
Part of the ‘It’s not OK’ campaign to raise awareness of child sexual abuse and exploitation being delivered by City of York Safeguarding Children Board and the NSPCC, the ‘champions’ will deliver free workshops to parents providing information and practical tips about keeping their children safe online.
The workshop will address some of the online issues that parents say they are concerned about including online bullying, sexting, excessive gaming, setting boundaries and where to go for further help and support.
Schools, community and faith groups, sporting organisations and others such as Brownies and Beavers groups will be able to arrange for workshop facilitators to come to a venue of their choice to deliver the 45 minute workshop to a group of parents.
Helen Westerman, NSPCC Campaigns Manager, said: “The ‘champions’ have a great mixture of skills, experience and knowledge and all work with children and families as part of their ‘day jobs’. They’re looking forward to working with parents and carers across the city to help them gain more confidence and knowledge about keeping their children safe online.”
Workshops will be starting in October and run until the end of the campaign in April 2016.
For more information about the workshops visit www.yor-ok.org.uk/parentingonline or to book a session for your organisation or group email hwesterman@NSPCC.org.uk
Operation Liberate, led by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Police, and other partners, aims to keep young people feeling and being safe. Police, local authority officers and healthcare professionals offer young people support and help, and where necessary take action to prevent anti-social behaviour or offending.
Between 24 July and 5 September on Friday and Saturday nights during the summer holiday, Operation Liberate targeted areas where anti-social behaviour has been an issue in the past. Police response teams identified 18 young people at risk and vulnerable aged between 10 and 18, of whom 75 per cent were female. Of them, 25 per cent were in danger of getting involved in anti-social behaviour and 75 per cent were considered vulnerable.
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