£2.34 million to be spent on maintenance works at York schools
The York Council is set to allocate £2.3 million to repair schools in the City.
Among the scheme recommended for approval at a meeting next week are:
- York High school – £141,000 for roof repairs
- Westfield Primary – £115,000 for heating
The full list is:
Outrage as York Tory Councillors fund school in Leeds
Tory Councillors in York have taken the unusual step of issuing a leaflet claiming credit for funding a primary school in Seacroft.
With cash strapped schools in Scarcroft in York hoping for investment to deal with overcrowding, we doubt that local parents will be too impressed with the move!
Tory leaflet March 2017
York High School OFSTED report finally published
The OFSTED report into York High school has finally been published on their web site.
Copy can be downloaded by clicking here
click for full report
York High school criticised by Inspectors
Set to become an independent “Academy”
The governments OFSTED inspecting body has released a damming report into teaching standards at York High school. The inspectorate has leaked the report to the media before posting it on their web site. This is hardly the behaviour of a responsible organisation and an action which will frustrate both teachers and parents as they seek to learn more about the “failings”.
In reality several pupils at the school have done remarkably well in recent years and the denigrating comments in The Press about the Westfield community are both ill informed and prejudiced. Unfortunately open media comments pages often provide a channel for the bigoted who usually hide behind a cloak of anonymity.
The school is judged by OFSTED to be “coasting” having received a “good” assessment from the same Inspectors as recently as 2012.
Still, recent poor exam results – particularly in science and languages – have cast a shadow on a school which started in 2009 with an impressive record of innovation and achievement.
The head teacher has already announced his resignation paving the way for a fresh start.
The government will give the school no option but to change to “Academy” status. It is looking to form a link with a group which includes Millthorpe This means a new governing body will be appointed. It may not include community representatives while even parents may lose their voice.
Academies have been criticised in the past for paying high wages to senior administrators and some teachers. On a split campus, which also includes the Energise leisure centre, good relations with neighbours are even more important.
So a sorry saga. The sooner the school is able to move on the better for all concerned.
Good and outstanding children’s services in York says Ofsted
Eleven inspectors spent four weeks at the city council in November and December, examining all areas of services provided to children in the city. They also spoke with groups of children, young people and their parents and carers.
Their inspection report is published today (7 February 2016).
It concludes “A wide range of effective services are in place to help children and families [in York] to access help and protection when they need it”.
Strong leadership, effective and committed front line staff and a well-established culture of listening to the voice of children and young people are features of York’s services singled out for specific praise by the regulator.
York’s Safeguarding Children Board was judged by Ofsted to be outstanding. It is only the second safeguarding board in the country to be given the highest rating.
The children in care council, ‘Show Me That I Matter’ also gets special mention. The inspectors highlight how it works very hard to influence how children in care are understood.
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Deadline for York primary school applications nears
Parents and carers of children starting school this September are reminded to apply for a place before 15 January 2017.
Parents may also apply at the same time for free school meals and, if eligible, their child’s school will benefit from additional funding known as the Pupil Premium.
The closing date for applications for children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013, is Sunday 15 January 2017. For a place in the reception class at their chosen York state primary school, parents and carers can apply online at www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions
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There’s a course for all in the new Learning 4 Everyone brochure
Do you want to get to grips with Windows 10, improve your creative writing, or even learn Tai Chi in 2017? Then look out for the new Learning 4 Everyone programme this month.
The brochure is being distributed throughout December to nearly 100,000 households and includes over 300 courses, with several new and expanded areas, including a beauty section and an expanded business offer. These new courses are on offer alongside more established courses including creative craft courses and modern foreign languages.
New courses on offer in 2017 include Metafit, a 30 minute high intensity workout session designed to help people who are short of time to get fit and active. Pure stretch, a combination of yoga and pilates is also on offer for people looking to get fit in the new year.
Discover Romeo and Juliet is a new course on offer for people looking to jump into the world of drama. The practical mindfulness is a three course series exploring happiness, health and being organised.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, said: “The adult learning programme gives residents the opportunity to learn a great range of new skills and gain qualifications with the help of our fantastic tutors. We’ve taken residents feedback on board and there’s now even more one day and weekend courses available. With over 300 courses including many new and expanded sections and numerous free taster sessions, I’m sure there will be something for everyone.”
For more information about the programme see the brochure being delivered to all homes, pick one up from libraries, or visit www.yortime.org.uk.
Bookings can be made online, by calling 01904 552806 or by visiting West Offices, Station Rise on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10am and 4pm.
Which school in York?
All admissions authorities in the City of York area are consulting parents and carers on new policies and the number of places available for the school year starting in September 2018.
The consultation includes all admissions policies for church schools, academies and local authority maintained schools, and includes the planned number of places available at each school in the year of entry to primary, junior, secondary schools 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 16 December 2016.
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 from participants will be forwarded to the relevant admissions authority for their consideration before the arrangements are agreed.
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York’s school attendance is ninth best in UK
Figures released by the Department for Education yesterday, show school attendance for York pupils continues to improve, and is currently the ninth best in the UK.
Of the 150 local authorities across the country, attendance data for the autumn and spring terms 2015-16 show that City of York Council is the ninth best performer of all other local authorities.
Compared nationally, York’s overall attendance level has further improved since 2014-15 when absence was 4.2 per cent. In 2015-16, it improved to 4.0 per cent for same period. York’s performance is better than the national trend which shows that levels of absence fell from 4.5% to 4.4% in the same period. Levels of pupils who are regarded as persistently absent in York – absent for 10 per cent of available sessions – are shown to be the eleventh lowest in the UK with 8.8 per cent for York compared to the national figure of 10.3 per cent.
Compared regionally, York has the second lowest figures for absence in the Yorkshire and Humber region. Regional figures are 4.4 per cent for overall absence and 10.8 per cent persistent absentees respectively.
Absenteeism can be due to a number of factors including parental neglect, truancy, holidays or non-essential appointments. Pupils who miss between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of school tend to have lower attainment levels than average, with only 35 per cent achieving five A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths.
The full data is at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/pupil-absence-in-schools-in-england-autumn-2015-and-spring-2016