Lib Dems say the extra investment could help close York’s ‘attainment gap’ – the difference in education performance between children from disadvantaged backgrounds and their peers.
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All reception, year 1 and year 2 pupils will now get their meals paid for under the scheme, which was first announced by the Liberal Democrats in 2013.
Although some children previously qualified for school meals, some do not take them due to the stigma, and others who don’t qualify struggle to afford them.
Research and pilot schemes in places such as Durham and Wolverhampton show that introducing universal free school meals leads to positive improvements in health, attainment and social cohesion, as well as helping families with the cost of living.
The Labour Councillor who has responsibility for education standards in York has accused local Primary schools of being “complacent”.
Cllr Looker gives this as the reason for several schools “flat lining” on performance.
Until 2011, York was an outstanding area for education standards but some schools subsequently slipped in OFSTED checks.
Even some schools in major City’s like London overtook York in achievements.
If there was complacency then it was in political Leadership.
The Labour Cabinet member with responsibility for Education quit only 6 months after taking office in 2011.
The whole of the Education Departments management team then went off looking for alternative jobs.
They found them. Perhaps significantly, all in non Labour controlled authorities.
Cllr Looker was brought out of retirement to steady the ship.
“Steady” it appears turned out to mean “mediocre”.
“Expect Respect” is an online educational toolkit that includes one hour lesson plans for each year of school from reception to year 13, guidance on the links between the learning outcomes within the lesson plans and to the relevant parts of the Early Years and National Curriculum. The toolkit also provides supporting information and resources for teachers, access to online interactive activities and an online support service giving teachers advice and guidance about the delivery of the lesson plans.
York schools are being challenged to strive for excellence as part of a new initiative launched this autumn.
York Challenge aims to empower the city’s schools to achieve excellence in four key areas: leadership, curriculum, teaching and ‘narrowing the gap’ to accelerate the progress of under achieving children. Focusing on partnership working, schools will work in geographical groups – school improvement clusters – with the emphasis on ensuring that all schools become good and outstanding through working on improvement priorities as a cluster.
City of York Council is reminding parents of all year 6 pupils that the deadline for applications for secondary school places for September 2014 is the end of the month (31 October).
Applications for children born between 01.09.02 and 31.08.03 can be made at www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions, by contacting the School Services team on 01904 551554 or by emailing education@york.gov.uk
Information about schools, the allocation process and admission policies can all be found in the Guide for Parents available at www.york.gov.uk/guideforparents
Parent/carers will find out which secondary school their child has been allocated on the 1 March 2014.
The closing date for Primary School places is 15 January 2014.
For regular updates follow the school services team on twitter @School_Services
City of York Council members last night (10th October) agreed would advertise for a new Director of Education, Skills & Children’s Services.
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.
Teachers’ unions the NUT and the NASUWT are planning a one-day strike for their members on Tuesday 1 October 2013.
Information about the school closures is detailed below and will be updated regularly. However, if you have any queries, please contact your school directly.
Contact details for schools can be found here.
Click here for up to date list.
click for updated list
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.
