York young people create new Social Media Guide

Young people across York have created a Social Media Guide to provide their peers with information and advice about using social media safely.

The guidance has been created in conjunction with child and adolescent development psychology experts from York St John University. A host of materials has been created through consultation workshops with young people, including lesson packs for schools, information for young people and a webpage for parents. It’s hoped that the materials will help young people to develop a healthy relationship with social media, enjoying the benefits, whilst recognising the potential negative impact it can have on mental health and self confidence.

The social media pack is available online at www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/parents-and-public.htm, click on the ‘Staying Safe Online – Young Persons Social Media Guide’ box at the bottom of the page.

New web page for school leavers now available, Q&A taking place June 23rd

Students finishing year 11 this year can now access a wide variety of resources designed to help make the transition from secondary school to either further education or employment easier.

On Wednesday June 23 at 5:30pm, City of York Council is hosting a Facebook Live Q and A session providing insights from senior council staff and local industry professionals. Chaired by Councillor Daryl Smalley panellists include Glyn Jones from York College and Liam Sibley from the Rebel Business School.

This event represents a fantastic chance for young people to ask any question they might have about the transition from secondary education, and learn more about the opportunities available to them.

You can tune in to the event by visiting facebook.com/cityofyork, a recording of the event will be available via the same link.

School leavers’ are also encouraged to check out a new dedicated webpage, which provides valuable links and information regarding further education and apprenticeship schemes, including where to access further information, advice and support. The page can be found at york.gov.uk/SchoolLeavers.

Post-16 experts have also pulled together a handy fact sheet capturing a wide range of different options for school leavers, which is also available on the webpage.

Budding entrepreneurs of all ages can also take flexible, online courses from Rebel Business School, to help provide information and advice on how to start and develop their own businesses. Visit therebelschool.com for more information.

6,400 local children to take part in Walk to School Week 2021

20 of York’s primary schools are set to take part in Walk to School Week 2021, which runs from 14 to 28 June. This year the event includes activities taking place on Clean Air Day on 17 June.

Locally, around 6,400 students from 20 different schools will get involved. The annual awareness-raising event aims to encourage children and their families to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school, rather than travelling by car. This year the event will have a particular focus on the impact of pollution on our health, encouraging families to make a sustainable change to improve local air quality near schools.

Coinciding with Walk to School Week this year is Clean Air Day on 17 June. Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.  The World Health Organisation and the Government recognise that air pollution is the largest environmental health risk we face today.

Poor air quality causes heart and lung diseases, is linked to low birth weight and children’s lung development and may even contribute to mental health issues*. Clean Air day is being promoted through the council’s hard-hitting anti-idling campaign, Kick the Habit: which aims to to help tackle this problem in York www.york.gov.uk/engineoff

Residents of all ages can find out more about sustainable travel options by visiting www.itravelyork.info

More information on the ‘Kick the Habit’ campaign is available here www.york.gov.uk/EngineOff

£2.67m investment in specialist York schools

Two of York’s specialist schools could benefit from a £2.67m investment if plans are approved by City of York Council’s Executive later this month (20 May).

The Executive will be asked to approve plans for capital works at Applefields Special School, which supports secondary aged students, with a wide range of special educational needs; and Danesgate which is home to York’s Pupil Referral Unit and supports young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs.

The proposals recognise the continued rise in pupil numbers at Applefields over the last four years and a need to better support the needs of children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs at Danesgate.

Members will be asked to approve plans to approve works to adapt existing office and break out space into classrooms at Applefields, ready for the September 2021 intake. The proposals would enable the school to support the increasing number of young people with highly complex needs, such as those with profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD), autism, and those with the highest level of social and emotional need.

Phase 2 of the project would see the creation of essential administrative space and, if approved, would be completed by September 2022. The total value of the works is approximately £765,000. Remodelling and reorganisation of the site at Danesgate is needed to reflect the changing needs of the children and young people using the centre, with increasing numbers of pupils having communication and interaction needs.

The proposals also recognise the rising number of children and young people who are unable to attend school with their peers due to mental health needs and an increasing need to have more bespoke provision for many students who display anxieties, including specific intervention and break out spaces.

The proposed capital works at Danesgate would see the reconfiguration of the current buildings, to create smaller classrooms and breakout spaces, enabling the centre to meet the varied needs of pupils. The total cost of the proposed works is £1.9m.

Cllr Keith Orrell, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

We know that the number of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, including those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, across the city is continuing to increase. As a city committed to supporting all our residents, it’s important that we ensure that we are able to provide the right support to enable all our children and young people to fulfil their individual potential.

Consultation on future provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities in York

Young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in York, and their families, are being asked to help shape future provision by taking part in a citywide consultation.

City of York Council wants to hear residents’ views on a series of broad proposals to ensure that the right provision is available to help all children and young people with SEND fulfil their individual potential.

The review follows a sustained increase in the number of children and young people with SEND, particularly those with Speech Language and Communication Needs associated with Autism.

Maxine Squire, City of York Council’s Assistant Director of Education and Skills, explained: “It’s important that we continually review our provision for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities to make sure that we’re able to meet their very diverse needs.

“With the numbers of children and young people with SEND expected to continue to increase over the next couple of years, it’s essential that we take stock of what’s working well, how we might want to deliver provision differently or what we need to improve. It’s about making sure we have the right range of provision, which best meets the varied and complex needs of all the young people in York within the budget available.”

Families will be asked for their views on proposed changes to five key areas of provision:

early years provision;
Provision for children and young people with SEND in mainstream schools;
support for children and young people with Communication and Interaction Difficulties, including Autism;
support for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs;
Provision at Applefields School (a Secondary Special School for young people aged 11-19 with a wide range of special educational needs and/or disabilities.)

The consultation is available online at www.york.gov.uk/SENDInclusionReview. Paper copies of the consultation are also available at Explore Library and Gateway Centres. The closing date is Wednesday 30 June.

Cllr Keith Orrell, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

This is a great opportunity for young people with special educational needs, their families, and health and childcare professionals, to help shape future provision and I’d urge people to get involved.

“Proposals for change can cause some uncertainty for children, young people and their families. I want to reassure everyone that no changes will take place until a full evaluation of the consultation responses has been carried out and the proposals reviewed in light of the feedback.”

People can also ask questions on the Inclusion Review consultation as part of the council’s next Facebook live Q&A session at 5.30pm on Thursday 13 May.

Residents can interact with the session by either submitting questions in advance by emailing them to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk or commenting on the live video on the council’s Facebook page (CityofYork) from 5.30pm -6.30pm.

95.5% of children get their first choice of primary school in York

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Primary school admission figures for entry in September 2021 reveal that 95.5 per cent of York children (1,674 children) have been allocated their first preference of school.

This is an increase of just over one per cent on last year’s figures.

City of York Council’s figures published show that:

99.5 per cent of pupils got one of their five preferences
all of the 143 pupils who applied for a place at York’s junior schools (from Year 3) got their first choice

Parents who applied online can find out where their child has been allocated a place by logging into their parent portal account today via www.york.gov.uk/PrimarySchoolAdmissions.

Parents who made written applications will receive a letter confirming their admission arrangements.

Anyone who didn’t receive their first choice of school will also receive written information.

School admissions figures

We’ve provided this year’s and last year’s admission figures as a comparison.

Primary school figures 2021

Preference	Quantity	Per cent
First	1674	95.5%
Second	53	3.0%
Third	14	0.8%
Fourth	2	0.1%
Fifth	1	0.1%
Other	9	0.5%
Total	1753	–

Primary school figures 2020

Preference	Quantity	Per cent
First	1753	94.2%
Second	63	3.4%
Third	18	1.0%
Fourth	6	0.3%
Fifth	1	0.1%
Other	19	1.0%
Total	1860	–

Junior school figures 2021

Preference	Quantity	Per cent
First	143	100%
Second	0	0%
Third	0	0%
Fourth	0	0%
Fifth	0	0%
Other	0	0%
Total	143	–

Junior school figures 2020

Preference	Quantity	Per cent
First	143	100%
Second	0	0%
Third	0	0%
Fourth	0	0%
Fifth	0	0%
Other	0	0%
Total	143	–

The total size of the cohort starting school in September 2021 is 1,753 pupils, compared to 1,860 last year.

Nine pupils didn’t get any of their preferences. These were largely made up of parents or carers who did not apply for their child’s catchment school – despite being advised to do so – preferring instead to apply for schools a considerable distance from their home.

Councillor Keith Orrell, Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People, said:

I’m delighted that so many children will be able to attend their first choice of primary school this year. Starting primary school is such an exciting milestone. I wish all those starting a new school in September the very best of luck.

Any parent whose children may be eligible for free school meals – one of a number of benefits that come with applying for the pupil premium – should apply through their online account at www.york.gov.uk/ParentPortal.

York families benefit from Easter holiday activity programme

Families across the city will have access to a holiday activity programme this Easter.

The programme is being funded through the government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF), which provides healthy food and activities to targeted children.

The Easter sessions, which will be held at a number of schools in York, will be used as pilots, with plans to roll the scheme out to more children during the summer holidays.

Cllr Keith Orrell, City of York Council’s Executive member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “School holidays can be a difficult time for some families, particularly with increased food and childcare costs.

“The Easter break marks the first time York has received HAF funding and I hope that this will be the start of a much bigger programme of targeted, enriching activities and healthy food for children and young people, building on the fantastic work that is already taking place across the city.”

Children and young people who are eligible to take part in the programme will be contacted directly by their school.

Coronavirus York updates; 8th March 2021

Deaths

One additional death has occurred at the York Hospital Trust. It took place on Saturday

Test results

Twenty additional positive test results announced today. Brings cumulative total up to 11,979

The number of cases in the City has reduced from the 105 seen yesterday to 96 today.

The infection rate /100k population has fallen to 45.58. This is the lowest rate seen since 21st September 2021.

However, no further fall in the infection rate is expected before the end of the week.

Neighbourhoods

There has been a big reduction in the number of cases in South Bank/Dringhouses.

No neighbourhood now has an infection rate above 200.

Sixteen of York’s 22 neighbourhoods now have fewer than 4 cases in each

Vaccinations

Tests

4070 PCR tests were carried out during the week ending 3rd March 2021.

Of these, 2.1% were positive. This represents a reduction on the previous days figure of 2.4%

3403 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 7th March.

Hospitals

York Hospital Trust is treating 50 confirmed and suspected Covid-19 in patients. Case numbers peaked at 242 on January 26. Six Covid patients are in intensive care. A total of 2,036 Covid patients have been discharged since the start of the pandemic.

University Students

There is no general return to in person learning for university students, other than those studying specialist courses such medicine/health, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Education and Social work

Many students have, of course, remained in York during the lockdown.

The only change is that, from today, in-person learning can resume for students who are studying practical or practice-based (including creative arts) subjects and need specialist equipment and facilities.

The Government has said that it will review, by the end of the Easter holidays, the options for timing the return of remaining students.

More here

University of York here

93 per cent of young people get their first choice of secondary school in York

Secondary school admission figures for entry in September 2021 reveal that 93 per cent of York children – 1793 – have been allocated their first preference of school.

This is an increase of 4.4 per cent on last year’s figures.

City of York Council’s figures published today (1 March) show that 98.2 per cent of pupils got one of their five preferences, an increase of 1.9 per cent on last year’s figures.

Parents who applied online can find out where their child has been allocated a place by logging into their parent portal account today via www.york.gov.uk/SecondarySchoolAdmissions. Parents who made written applications will receive a letter confirming their admission arrangements. Anyone who didn’t receive their first choice of school will also receive written information.

This year’s admissions figures, compared with last years are outlined below:

	2020	2021
Choice	Quantity	%	Quantity	%
1st	1731	88.9	1793	93.3
2nd	122	6.3	77	4.0
3rd	26	0.5	15	0.8
4th	10	0.5	2	0.1
5th	2	0.1	0	0
Other	56	2.9	34	1.8
Total	1947	100	1921	100
Applied Online	1931	99.2	1844	96.0

34 pupils didn’t get any of their preferences. These were largely made up of parents or carers who did not apply for their catchment school, despite being advised to do so, preferring to apply for schools a considerable distance from their home.

The total size of the cohort starting school in September 2021 is 1921 pupils, compared to 1947 last year.

Councillor Keith Orrell, Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People, said:

“I’m delighted that so many young people will be able to attend their first choice of secondary school this year.

“I know it’s been an incredibly difficult time over the last few months and I hope that knowing their plans for September will help young people start to look to the future.

“I wish all those starting a new school in September the best of luck with the next phase of their learning journey.”

Coronavirus York updates; 1st February 2021

Deaths

SIX additional hospital deaths have been announced today.

They bring the cumulative total number of fatalities at the York and Scarborough hospitals up to 283 since the start of the second wave of infections.

Test Results

FORTY SEVEN (47) additional positive test results announced today. Brings the cumulative case total to 11,136.

Rate /100k population has now reduced to 205.12. Trending to fall below the 200 case benchmark tomorrow.

The case rate in York continues to reduce more quickly than is being seen in other parts of the country

Neighbourhoods

There are now three neighbourhoods with a case rate of below 100. They are Dunnington/Elvington/Wheldrake (6 cases), the City Centre (12 cases) and Poppleton/Rufforth/Askhams (5 cases).

Haxby remains the only area with a rate over 400 (400.4 with 23 cases).

Vaccinations

National

Nationwide 9,296,367 people have now received their first vaccinations. 494,209 have also received the second dose.

319,038 people were vaccinated yesterday 31st January (first dose) . This was lower than the rate achieved during the previous three days.

3156 people received the second dose.

Regional

Local

According to a post by Nimbuscare on social media

“Over 12,000 patients received their Covid vaccinations at the York’s National and Local Vaccination Centre between the 25th and 31st January.

In the over 80s group Humber, Coast and Vale (which includes the York area) had vaccinated 68% by 17th January and 87% by the 24th January.”

Testing

Number of tests

5,431 PCR (laboratory) tests were conducted in York during the week ending 27th January (the latest figure available).

Of these, 9% provided to be positive .

That is the lowest positivity rate found since 24th December 2020.

In addition, 1526 lateral flow tests were completed on 31st January. That brings the total number of such tests to 35,270.

Sites

A TEMPORARY Covid testing site will be set up next week in Haxby which has seen high infection rates in recent times.

The testing will be held by appointment only at the Ethel Ward Playing Fields in Calf Close, Haxby, from Monday until Sunday February 6, from 9am to 3pm.

Tests can be booked by going to www.nhs.uk/Coronavirus or by phoning 119 and selecting the option that you were asked to attend by your local council.

The facility is similar to the one operating on the Thanet Road rugby club car park tomorrow.

It also was set up when virus infection rates in Woodthorpe and Westfield were very high.

York Council staff absence

A York Council committee will be considering the levels of sick absence at the authority. next week.

A report says,

“At the start of the pandemic staff absence increased significantly with a
number of staff not available to work. This was directly linked to coronavirus where staff were displaying symptoms and self isolating and
unable to work from home. The sickness absence rates across the council follows the national and local infection rate patterns, as can be seen, with a slight peak in wave 2 October time and then wave three being end of December into January 2021.
There is some confidence though that whilst rates have increased since
end of December, they are not near the level we experienced in March /
April. There are staff that are self isolating but are able to work fully from home and therefore those will not appear in the figures, also those staff who have tested positive for covid but are well enough to continue to work from home”.

Around 900 staff working in the social care sector are being vaccinated.

Schools

The same meeting will hear that there are pressures on some schools. All York schools are still open catering for the children of some critical workers.

The meeting will be told that the number of teaching staff absent since January 5th has fluctuated but has been between 95- 85, with the numbers absent due to being Covid positive being under 10 individual cases on any given date.

“The staffing levels in individual schools have not so far reached a
level where schools have been unable to deliver on site provision or
their remote learning offer”.

The impact on schools varies according to their size, staffing structure
and the physical space within their buildings.
In particular, small primary schools are finding it more difficult to manage high numbers of children on site and to manage the remote learning offer.
During the first week in January, a small number of parents contacted the Council’s education team to highlight problems with accessing school places, each case was worked through and solutions found.

The meeting takes place next Monday

York Councils children’s services facing £5 million overspend

Image result for vulnerable children images

It looks like the budget for children’s specialist services at the York Council will be overspent by 25% during the current financial year.

Much of the deficit arises from increased fostering and adoptions although an extra £1.1 million has been spent on placing vulnerable children in accommodation outside the City.

The Looked After Children population had been stable, in the range 190-210 at any one time, for several years.

However, a report being considered next week reveals a big increase in numbers over the last 2 years.

“In October 2018 there were only 4 individual children in care proceedings. As at the end of September 2020 there were 55 sets of proceedings on 93 individual children in place”.

The report goes on to say, “Safeguarding Interventions are predicted to overspend by approximately £1,139k, mainly due to increases in the Court and Child Protection Teams who are dealing with the increase in cases. Legal fees are predicted to overspend by approximately £220k. Children protection numbers, following a recalibration spike, have now returned to national average levels”.

The projected costs of the local Community Hubs, which were set up at the beginning of lockdown (and have transitioned into a new method of working), is £131,000. This will be funded from the Covid 19 emergency budget provided by the government.

It also looks like the home to school transport budget will also overspend by around £2 million.

“The main increase in numbers have been at post 16/19 where because of the city now being able to provide more specialist education provision for this group of students more locally, subsequently we have had to provide more transport to the likes of York College, Askham Bryan, Choose 2 and Blueberry Academy. The changes in legislation to allow Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) to ages 19-25, resulting in significantly more students accessing this option, has significantly increased our transport spend accordingly”.

The overall net overspend is expected to be £2.5 million after cost savings and a £1.1 million investment from COVID support funding are factored in.