Good work evident in Westfield as schools return

Road resurfaced, white lines refreshed and a “gateway” painted on the highway near the entrance to Westfield School. School crossing patrol also working efficiently. Good work by the school and ward Councillors

Hardcore has been put down under the access gate to the Westfield Place sports field. Previously the area had been subject to flooding. More good work by the Council

Reported full paper and can banks at Acomb car park at 3:15pm today. Also some fly tipping. Message back from the Council at 3:30pm saying “issue solved” Gasp!

School closures in York following snow

Several schools in York will be closed today following overnight snow. Those affected include:

  • All Saints RC School is closing at 13.15
  • Applefields School
  • Archbishop Holgates CE Academy
  • Badger Hill Primary School is closing at 15.15 (parents can collect their children anytime from 13.00)
  • Bishopthorpe Infant School
  • Carr Infant School
  • Copmanthorpe Primary School
  • Danesgate Community to all except Year 11
  • Fulford School
  • Hob Moor Oaks School
  • Huntington Primary Academy
  • Huntington Secondary School
  • The Joseph Rowntree School
  • Manor CE Academy
  • Millthorpe School
  • Naburn CE Primary School
  • Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy
  • St Aelred’s RC Primary School is closing at 12.30
  • St Paul’s Nursery School is closing at 12.30
  • St Paul’s Primary School is closing at 13.00
  • Vale of York Academy
  • Wheldrake with Thorganby CE Primary School
  • York High School

Also North Yorkshire Schools – Easingwold School and Tadcaster Grammar School

An up to date list can be found by clicking this link

Lowfields on list of possible new mental health hospital sites

After over 4 years of neglect by the York Council, the derelict former Lowfields school site has emerged as one of the options for the location of a new mental health hospital.
Lowfields school site is now overgrown

Lowfields school site is now overgrown

The hospital will replace the obsolescent Bootham Park facility which was forced to close last year following a damming inspectors report.

In total 12 possible locations are being considered by the NHS.

The hospital will cover a wide catchment area so – with limited public transport services available – it is surprising that sites away from the City centre are apparently being considered.

The expectation had been that the new hospital would be built next to the existing facility in Bootham – although the traditional facility at The Retreat might have provided an alternative location.

Consultation meetings have been scheduled by the NHS with the nearest being at The Folk Hall, Hawthorn Terrace, New Earswick, on Tuesday 31 May (two events 2.00 – 5.00pm and 5.15 – 7.15 pm).

The NHS trust say,

We are in the early stages of planning for the new facility, which is due to open in 2019, and are inviting people to attend one of four events which are being held in the area.

The workshop style sessions will focus on three main areas – the size and number of beds needed, potential sites for the new hospital and best practice in building design.

Residents had been expecting the latest version of the Local Plan (set to be revealed on 15th June) to confirm that the school site (the footprint of the buildings) would be allocated for the construction of accommodation mainly aimed at older people. The site is ideal for retired people as it is located within walking distance of a full range of facilities in Acomb Village.

Residents were also hoping that any plans to build on the school playing field would finally be quashed. In surveys conducted by local Councillors the majority of residents said that they wanted the field to be retained as open space.

New deaf school planned for York

York’s new centre specialising in teaching primary school-aged deaf children from York, has been commissioned by City of York Council and is under construction.

Hempland school

Hempland school

Currently, some deaf children and young people living in York have go to schools outside the city because there is no central provision in York where they can be taught and communicate together in English and British Sign Language. 

Following research, City of York Council is creating a new centre which will provide deaf education for local children in a primary school setting. Hempland Primary School was identified as having the right location, school environment and ethos to host a new centre for primary school-aged deaf children, the school has agreed to host the project. Deaf pupils have been on its roll for a number of years.

The Centre for Deaf Children at Hempland will cater for a core group of deaf children who will join the school roll. They will be taught the mainstream curriculum where appropriate, with support from specialist teachers of the deaf and teaching assistants. Deaf adults will also work as specialist support staff and, on a voluntary basis, to provide deaf role models. There will be opportunities for other professionals such as audiology/speech and language therapists, to provide support within school meaning the deaf children and their families will have a single, familiar location where a variety of appointments can be held.

The centre will also be an informal meeting point for deaf children, their families and teachers to build on the social and educational opportunities in the city with plans for early years groups, lunch clubs and Sing and Sign sessions which build on the social and educational opportunities in the city.

 

The school will reopen after the summer holiday as usual, when all external construction should be complete. The centre is due to open after half term in October 2015.