Row over York Education Director’s £115,000 salary

City of York Council members last night (10th October) agreed would advertise for a new Director of Education, Skills & Children’s Services.

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The move was challenged by opposition Councillors who argued that a £15,000 a year salary supplement was unnecessary against the Councils difficult financial position.

Liberal Democrats argued against high guaranteed salaries although recognised that there could be a bonus arrangements to recognise outstanding performance. (The Council’s Chief Executive is already on performance related pay).

Labour Cllr Williams told the Council that the cost of the supplement would be taken from the education budget. A view which parents may find somewhat alarming.

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Careers event at York racecourse on 22nd October

Steps to Success – start planning your future today

The event supports 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.

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Held in the Ebor 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).
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.

A series of presentations on Options for Key Stage 4 and beyond, Options for post 16 education and training, Apprenticeships and Progression to Higher Education will also run throughout the evening.

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 their commitment to widening participation in Higher Education.

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

Walk to School Week

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Walk to School Week that is taking place from 7 -11 October.

27 schools will by vying for the coveted Jack Archer trophy which will be on offer to the school that gets the most pupils walking, cycling and scooting.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Jack Archer Trophy the council will be matching Age UK’s prize of £200, giving the winning school £400 to spend on sports equipment. The runners up will receive £200 for sports equipment and third place will win hi-viz jackets for their class.

On Wednesday 9 October there will be a bonus prize given to the school with the most people who ride a scooter to school. The prize is a Scooter Pod for the school which is worth £300.

Walking to school has many benefits, helping both the environment and health. Children who walk to school are proven to be more alert in lessons, parents too at work. A 15 minute walk will provide a child with a quarter of the 60 minutes of recommended daily exercise.

To find out more about changing the way you travel in York go to http://www.itravelyork.co.uk/

Adoption numbers up in York

National data is showing that the number of adoptions in England and Wales increased by almost ten per cent last year compared to 2011.

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Figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that there were 5,206 adoptions in 2012 compared to 4,740 in 2011.

The number of children adopted in York has also increased in the same period, with 13 adoptions in 2011/12 and 14 in 2012/13. A total of 20 children are preparing to be placed for adoption during 2013/14, once arrangements with their new families and the courts have been finalised.

The figures from the ONS are made up of adoptions that took place following court orders in England and Wales in 2012 and apply to adoptions by relatives and step-parents as well as adoptions from care. More information is available at http://www.statistics.gov.uk/

For information about how to adopt in York contact the council’s Family Placements Team on 01904 555333 or email adoptionandfostering@york.gov.uk

York GCSE results

Pupils, parents and teachers are celebrating today!

Whilst it is being reported nationally that results are down on last year, York pupils have bucked this trend with schools showing a 4 per cent improvement on last year’s results.

Provisional results show that 67 per cent of young people achieved five or more A*-C grades including English and Maths GCSE, compared to 63 per cent last year.

This result is the highest ever for the city. Fulford school, Huntington school, Archbishop Holgate’s school and All Saints school all achieved over 70 per cent.