York High school film encourages people to vote

City of York Council has launched a video campaign with students from two local schools to encourage young people to register to vote in the upcoming Council elections which take place on Thursday 2nd May.

Students aged 14-15 from Millthorpe School and York High School were tasked with creating marketing campaigns to increase voter registration and engage young people in York.

The students created the concept for both videos, in addition to writing their own scripts and recording the initial presentations of the campaign, following the Project Dare workshops held at West Offices.

Two groups were invited back to shoot their winning campaigns from the four groups taking part. The videos will be shared by City of York Council until the last day of voter registration (12 April), with participants and partners encouraged to share on their own social media channels.

The videos encourage students and young people to take part in the democratic process by registering to vote, a message the council are keen to support.

Both videos will be available on the council’s social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube from Wednesday 20 February 2019.

To view the videos, visit City of York Council YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/cityofyorkcouncil

The council aims to give everyone within the city the opportunity to have their say in local democratic decisions with rolling registration continuing until 12 April 2019.

The Project Dare workshop and voting campaign was put together with York Cares and National Collaborative Outreach Programme (NCOP) as a part of student participation in Project Dare; a two day workshop held at west Offices in 2018.

Project Dare is run by York Cares and aims to inspire young people aged 11-16 about possible future careers motivating them to aim higher and work towards qualifications in school. They do this by working with local employees to set the young people real world challenges whilst showcasing different types of employment across the city.

The project has been funded by the National Collaborative Outreach Programme, a government initiative which aims to increase the number of young people from under-represented groups in higher education by 2020.

What’s on in York: Pilates Barre

Nov _11Pilates

York High School :

Mon 12 Nov – Mon 10 Dec :

6.15pm – 7.10pm :

£30

Join tutor Norelle Garlick in an exciting new Pilates and ballet-based class. Using music and choreographed routines, this class will help you to improve your core strength, stamina and coordination. It focuses on alignment, conditioning and stretch and is suitable for everyone. Become aware of your posture whilst engaging in balletic exercises and have fun!

Suitable for anyone aged 19+ years and all abilities. (To take part in the course, you must be comfortable standing)

You will need to bring a towel and a water bottle and wear non-restrictive gym-wear, ballet shoes or bare feet. Learners should arrive for the first class 10 minutes early to allow time to complete the health questionnaire and identify to the tutor any contra indications to exercise. Before starting any exercise programme it is advisable to seek advice from your GP or a health professional if you have any health concerns, such as a health condition or an injury.

To find your classroom, please come to the community entrance at York High School (at the bottom of the drive next to the Energise sports centre entrance) and not the main school reception.

York High School
Cornlands Road,
Acomb,
York
YO24 3WZ

£30 for five weeks. Enrol online at www.yortime.org.uk or phone the York Learning bookings line on (01904) 552806.

What’s on in York: Ballroom Dancing for Beginners at York High School

Nov _6BallroomWest York Adult Education Centre, Cornlands Road

Mon 6 Nov (start – lasts for 6 weeks)

6.15pm – 7.45pm

£52

During the course you will learn to Waltz & Foxtrot with the option to progress to Quickstep.  Each dance will incorporate basics and development figures as well as basic technique, posture, hold and history of the dance.

Dances will be taught in classes which are aimed at couples, so dancers are advised to come with a friend or partner, though this does not have to be male/female couples.

Lessons are active, with a short break included.

Suitable for anyone aged 19+. Aimed at absolute beginners.

Suitable footwear is advised and if dancers have ballroom shoes, this would be appropriate.  If not, day shoes can be worn but men must avoid heavy shoes or boots, and women should wear shoes which are comfortable with a heel no higher than 3”.

West York Adult Education Centre, York High School, Cornlands Road, Acomb, York, YO24 3WZ.

(Fully accessible, ground floor classroom)

Starts Monday 6th November 2017 for 6 weeks and the cost is £52 for all.

Book online by clicking here or call us on 01904 552806.

What’s on in York: Ballroom Dance for Beginners … Introductory session

 York High School:

Mon 18 Sep :

6.30pm – 8.30pm :

£15

Sept _18BallroomdanceAn introduction to Ballroom Dancing.  Workshop is aimed at couples, so dancers are advised to come with a friend or partner, though this does not have to be male/female couples.  Lessons are active, with a short break included. The session will cover basic Waltz and Rhythm Foxtrot for social dancing.

Suitable footwear is advised and if dancers have ballroom shoes, this would be appropriate.  If not, day shoes can be worn but men must avoid heavy shoes or boots, and women should wear shoes which are comfortable with a heel no higher than 3”.

West York Adult Education Centre, York High School, Cornlands Road, Acomb, York, YO24 3WZ. (Fully accessible, ground floor classroom)

£15 for all

Booking via our website: www.yortime.org.uk or the York Learning bookings line: 01904 552806

 

Public meeting to discuss controversial Lowfields playing field development plans

The agenda for the next Westfield Ward committee meeting has been amended  to include an item on the proposed development of the playing field at Lowfields.

The Council’s development plan has provoked a lot of opposition in the area and a “Save Lowfields Playing Field” action group has been set up.

The meeting on 29th March will hear an update on the Councils plans which have yet to navigate various planning hurdles.

In 2007, when the Lowfields and Oaklands schools were merged to form a “York High School” the Council gave assurances that only the built footprint of the former Lowfields school would be redeveloped.

The Council reneged on that promise last summer when it published comprehensive redevelopment plans which would see 162 homes built on the site.

The new High school buildings in Cornlands Road were occupied in September 2009 but the Lowfields playing field continues to be used for sporting activities to this day.

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.

 

 

Better GCSE level results at York High School

The Press is today reporting,

York High SchoolStaff and students at York High School are celebrating hugely improved GCSE results after a very challenging year in 2015.

Headteacher David Ellis said: “I am thrilled that the proportion of Year 11 students who have gained 5 good GCSE grades has almost doubled this year compared to 2015, even surpassing our results from two years ago. This is a result of the hard work of our young people and the determined and supportive work of my colleagues. We were extremely disappointed with the way that grade boundaries were moved in 2015 which had a negative impact for our students a year ago but I am incredibly proud of the way that the whole school community has risen to the challenge in the last 12 months resulting in the progress we have made this year”.

Associate head teacher Rod Sims, who is responsible for achievement at York High commented on the great spirit within Year 11 in 2016. He said: “The very pleasing improvements this year are in large part due to the way that the students responded to all of the extra demands that staff have put on them. They have turned up for extra revision sessions in large numbers, in some cases very early in the morning! The young people recognised that as the examination boards continue to raise the bar the challenge of gaining high grades is ever increasing and they worked with staff incredibly hard to gain the very best grades that they could. Our students can be very proud of their achievements and it has been a real pleasure to work with them and their Head of Year Mrs. Harrison to enable us to achieve the outcomes we have.”

One pupil celebrating results is Chloe Stead who achieved 7 GCSEs at grade C. Chloe was the first baby born in York in the new millennium and her results epitomise the effort that the year group as a whole have made this year.

Mr Ellis said “We are delighted for Chloe and the whole year group. Many pupils of all abilities have fulfilled their own individual targets and potential which will allow them to move successfully on to the next stage in their education and careers. We wish them all the very best.”

For photos click here

What’s on in York – Cookery for fun & health – Superfood suppers!

York High School :

Wed 20 Apr –  Wed 4 May (three weeks) :

7.00pm – 9.00pm:

£40 for all  (plus £10-£15 a week for ingredients)

Apr 20_Simple Superfood SuppersSimple, super-healthy nutritious dishes, ideal for midweek suppers.  A fun, informative and practical cookery course.

Follow our tutor, a qualified chef, as he guides you through a selection of nutritious recipes prepared knowing you are giving your body some essential goodness. Using fresh ingredients you will gain an understanding the importance of flavour balance and learn presentation and cutting techniques.

Develop your skills each week and try out your new knowledge at home and impress your family and friends.

Please bring an apron, oven gloves, selection of knives (guidance will be given at beginning of course), a folder for recipes, a pen and suitable container to transport food home. You will be required to bring your own ingredients.

Click here to find out more.

Minimum age for attendance is 19.