York families sought to adopt older children and siblings

National Adoption Week 2015 takes place this week from 19 to 25 October with the theme ‘Too old at 4?’

adoption week 2015

Older children waiting to be adopted are often likely to be in sibling groups or to have additional needs and there is currently a shortage of adoptive parents coming forward for these children.

Sadly, sibling groups, those with complex needs and children from black and minority ethnic families are amongst the children who wait longest to be adopted.

During National Adoption Week 2015, City of York Council is joining all its adoption partners to work together to highlight the need to find adoptive families for these children.

While it’s great news that York has no children waiting to be adopted at the moment, across the country there are brothers and sisters, older children and those with special needs or disabilities looking for forever families. Could that be you?

City of York Council is hosting an information event on 2 November from 6:30-8:30pm  in central York where you can find out more about what adoption involves and whether it could be right for you. . To book a place please contact the duty adoption worker on: adoptiondutyworker@york.gov.uk or phone 01904 553525.

Anyone interested in adopting or who would like to know more can find lots of useful information  onthe Yorkshire and Humber Adoption Consortium website: http://beingfamily.co.uk/ or can phone the national adoption information service – First4Adoption on 0300 222 0022 where the friendly advisers will be happy to answer questions. The First4Adoption information line is open Monday-Friday between 10am and 6pm. You can also find information on their website at http://www.first4adoption.org.uk/

Children’s safety in York under review

York’s 44,000 children are “safe” according to an independent report being considered by the Council next week

Safeguarding children annual report cover 2014 15The annual report of the Safeguarding Children Board is likely to receive more attention than may have been usual in the past following issues arising in South Yorkshire

The report says that the number of looked after children in the city has fallen steadily in 2014- 15 from 226 at the start of the year to 195 by the end. 124 children were on a formal child protection plan at the year end. 82% of children in care felt that they were “really safe” at home.

Fewer children now live in (relative) poverty in the City than a year ago.

Other issues considered by the board included; neglect, Child Sexual Exploitation, domestic abuse, school absenteeism and female genital mutilation.

The summary report can be read by clicking here

York still above average in education achievements

A Council report,  being considered next week, confirms that the City’s education system is continuing to  achieve above average performance results.

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Exam results at both GCSE and advance level stages show an improvement over the previous year.

OFSTED inspections reveal that, as of 9th October 2015, 89% of York secondary schools are rated “good or outstanding”, 88% of primaries are “good or outstanding” and 100% of our special schools are “good or outstanding”.

This means that overall, of the 64 schools in the city, 89% are good or outstanding.

At most education stages the difference in achievement  between less well off pupils (entitled to pupil premium) and others, has either narrowed or remained constant, although the gap widened in mathematics at Key Stage 2

Detailed performance graphs can be found by clicking here

Pupils get ready to take Walk to School week in their stride

walking bus 2Thirty one schools and over 9,000 pupils across the city are taking part in the biggest ever Walk to School Week campaign which aims to encourage even more children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

The school that gets the highest number of pupils walking, cycling or scooting throughout the week will win the coveted Jack Archer award and £300, funded by Age UK.

Cllr Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “Walk to School Week is a great opportunity for pupils, parents and teachers to look at how they travel to school and the benefits that walking can bring, such as pupils being more alert in the classroom.”

‘Scoot to School’ day will also take place on Wednesday 14 October. To encourage students to scoot the school with the most pupils who scoot to school on that day will win a Scooter Pod worth £300 donated by CyclePod.

It is recommended that children aged five to sixteen do at least sixty  minutes of physical activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual and they need to do it everyday to burn off calories and prevent them storing up excess fat in the body.

Regular activity is also important for adults and it is recommended that adults make sure they’re active for just 30 minutes each day, or 150 minutes a week.

The scheme is also targeted at families who normally take the car, and encourages them to consider walking or cycling to school instead.

Residents can find out more about changing the way they travel in York at: www.itravelyork.info/

Deadline for Secondary School applications nears

York HighWith all open days for York secondary schools now completed, parents are reminded that applications for secondary school places for September 2016 should be made before 31 October 2015.

Parents of children currently in Year 6 – the last year of primary school – should apply for a maximum of five schools and one preference should be the catchment school.

Applications can be made online at www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions

All details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.york.gov.uk/guideforparents. This guide, updated for 2016 admissions, contains information on school admissions and appeals processes as well as information on admissions statistics, oversubscription criteria and other information for parents and carers. Also online are details for service families and information on fair access.

Applicants will be advised of their allocated school on National Offer Day, 1 March 2016.

For more detailed information, please email: education@york.gov.uk or call 01904 551 554.

Free safety training for York primary school children

City of York Council is offering York primary school students’ free pedestrian safety training in partnership with the region wide 95 Alive campaign.

Green cross code“Between April and July 2015 nearly 800 children received this vital pedestrian training and over 300 children have already benefitted from training since the start of the new academic year.”

The pedestrian training is delivered by City of York Road Safety Instructors and teaches children aged from 7 – 9 how to be safer pedestrians. Road Safety Instructors take children out onto roads and show them how the right decision-making and behaviour can really help them to keep safe and is the start of life long learning about road safety.

During the training children are helped to recognise dangers and hazards and identify alternative crossing places, they are also taught about using different crossings correctly. Pupils are taught to use the Green Cross Code, with the key words being Stop Look and Listen. Children are also encouraged to wear something bright when crossing roads particularly on dark mornings and after school.

For more information on road safety visit www.itravelyork.info/journey-planning/road-safety-and-skills/

Cllr Ian Gillies, Executive Member for Transport and Planning, said: “Road safety training with school pupils is an important part of their learning. By teaching pupils to keep safe and negotiate risks on the roads it gives them essential skills that they will continue to use for years to come.

Event to help young people make Steps to Success

Job-Search-AppsCity of York Council’s annual Steps to Success event is back at York Racecourse on Tuesday 20 October.

Held in the Knavesmire Stand from 3.30pm until 8.00pm, the event will provide information about the range of education and training opportunities available (including apprenticeships and other work based training).

The event looks to support young people in the city as they consider their options for Key Stage 4 and Post-16 education, training or employment, particularly as all current year 11 pupils now have to remain in training or education until the age of 18.

Young people will be able to access information from five different information zones at the session; Key Stage 4, Post-16, Progression to Higher Education, Career Pathways and Support Services, as well as the opportunity to hear about the experiences of current learners.

Attendees will also be able to view a series of presentations of around 15 minutes offering advice on Options for Key Stage 4 and Beyond, Options for Post 16 Education and Training, apprenticeships, Progression to Higher Education and Future Job Opportunities will run throughout the event.

Councillor Jenny Brooks, Executive member for Education, Children and Young People said: “This popular annual event provides young people and their parents and carers with information and advice about their options for the future. As a council we are committed to supporting young people across the city and helping them meet their aspirations. Through work with a range of schools, employers, training providers and universities, Steps to Success looks to offer the opportunity for young people to consider their next steps as well as the longer term progression routes and higher education options that are available to young people.”

City of York Council has worked in partnership with the University of York and York St John University to stage the event, as part of its commitment to widening participation in Higher Education.

For any additional information please contact Beverley Wills, 14-19 Support Adviser, City of York Council on 01904 553008 orbeverley.wills@york.gov.uk .

What’s small, green and could help you survive York?

The latest edition of the Young People’s Survival Guide to York has just been published ready for the academic year ahead.Teenagers suvival guide 2016

This pocket-sized guide – also available online at http://www.yorksurvivalguide.co.uk/ – lists places to go to and people to contact for help and advice, and is aimed at people aged 16-25 in York although it could help anyone.

It’s got clear and up-to-date facts and hints from how old a babysitter should be to where to go if you are have to leave home. Who to talk to about feeling anxious? How to claim Universal Credit? Where to look for volunteering opportunities? How to open a bank account? Find out about local courses or the minimum wage – the Young People’s Survival Guide to York has it covered.

Split into different sections covering rights, health – including mental health – relationships, parenting, housing, money, learning and working and so on, it has a directory at the back of local and national agencies.

The guide is published by a local charity, York Action on Young Homeless, and produced in partnership with Castlegate, part of City of York Council’s support and advice services for young people.

“It is given out free to young people in York each year through lots of local organisations including schools, housing workers, youth workers and GP surgeries. Do pick up yours.”

To pick up a free copy, call in to Castlegate, 29 Castlegate, York YO1 9RN on Monday to Thursday 1- 5pm and Friday 1- 4.30pm.

What’s on: Chatterbooks from today (Saturday)

chatterbooks

Check out York Explore events for children aged 5 plus in Chatterbooks week.

Peg Out Poetry Sat 3 Oct

Free drop in event at York Explore 2.30pm – 4.00pm

Every Picture tells a Story Sun 4 Oct

Come along and have a go at illustrating a scene from your favourite book with local artist Adele Karmydzn on hand to offer hints and tips.

This is a free event, booking is essential. 1.30pm – 3.00pm

The Armpit of Doom , by Ken Nesbit Thur 8 Oct

Poetry activity session based on the poem by Ken Nesbitt , make your own air freshener! Free drop – in event. 4.00pm – 5.00pm

For booking and more information contact York Explore on 01904 552828, or email york@exploreyork.org.uk

 

Eligible for up to £1,300 for your child to do even better at school?

School childrenEligible residents could have up to £1,300 spent on helping their school-age child to do even better for this and for the next six academic years if they apply before January 2016.

As the new terms starts, applying for free school meals could not only mean a daily hot lunch if the child wants one, but the Government will give £1,300 every year for each eligible pupil at primary schools and £965 per year per student at secondary schools.

With an estimated 400 children eligible in York but whose parents are not claiming, this could mean that up to £380,000 of Government funding is being missed out on by York pupils and their schools.

The Pupil Premium, as it is known, is paid to the child’s school and is used to help them do even better with their schoolwork. It could mean extra help with homework, uniform vouchers or buying extra books.

The Pupil Premium will be paid whether or not the pupil takes the free meals. If they prefer, they can choose to have them on certain days or even if they prefer to take a packed lunch every day. School meals provide a tasty and nutritious choice of hot or cold lunch every day.

Successful applications made before the school census in January 2016 will mean that the school will get this funding every year for the next six academic years, but applications can be made at any time throughout the school year. Parents or carers can apply through the school or online at www.york.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.

While all children in school Reception and Years 1 and 2 currently receive free school meals, eligible parents and carers still need to apply for the Pupil Premium to be allocated to their child.

To qualify for free school meals, parents or carers must get one of the following income-related benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit combined with both a household income below £16,190, and not in receipt of any Working Tax Credit
  • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  • Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.

Contributions-based benefits, including contribution-related Job Seekers Allowanceare not qualifying benefits. Parents or carers who have just started to work less than 16 hours a week, or immediately after employment has ceased for a temporary four week ‘run-on’ period only may be eligible.

For more information, to check eligibility or to apply, please go to www.york.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or contact School Services at West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA or call 01904 551554 or email education@york.gov.uk