Bradford district families’ childcare needs questionnaire

Currently all 3 and 4 year olds are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week during term time.

From September 2017, some 3 and 4 year olds will be eligible for an extra 15 hours of free childcare per week.

As a local authority we are consulting with parents of children aged between 0 to 4 years to look at your current, and future childcare needs to ensure there are enough places to meet demand for the extra childcare entitlement.

Please complete the survey about your childcare needs. Thank you.

Travel Training – a step towards independence

The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford presented awards to two young people who have used a special travel training course to support their independence.

Kieron and Harris, who are both 17 years old and attend Beechcliffe Special School, undertook travel training with Travel Training Unit based at Shearbridge and have now been travelling independently for six months.

The Lord Mayor presented Kieron and Harris with a special ‘six months safe’ award at Beechcliffe Special School in Keighley on Tuesday 19 July.

Travel training is a structured and planned course of training which helps children and young people make their first step towards independence.

The Travel Training Unit works with disabled and non-disabled children and young people who require support, assistance, mentoring and training to plan and use walking routes and all forms of public transport including buses and trains.

The Travel Training Unit supports children and young people on a one-to-one basis or in small groups planning and practising journeys. They also help with learning associated tasks and skills to enable students to travel independently to and from school.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Geoff Reid, said: “It’s a real privilege to be presenting these awards to Kieron and Harris. They deserve great credit for completing the training and putting into practice what they’ve learnt.”

Debbie, Kieron’s mother, said: “Travel Training has really helped Kieron. His trainer put him at ease and explained things really well. The team work in partnership with parents so they let me know how things were going. All in all it was a great experience.”

Karen, Harris’s mother, said: “Travel training has really paid off. Harris is now able to travel independently getting two buses, going into Keighley bus station and then out to school. He has managed in all sorts of weather and even got to school on a snowy day!”

Coun Val Slater, Deputy Leader of Bradford Council and portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Congratulations to Kieron and Harris in gaining this award and travelling independently for six months. Travel training is a great way in which we can help young people gain skills that give them independence.”

St Mary’s is a Good school says Ofsted

Riddlesden St Mary’s CofE (Aided) Primary School has been judged to be good following its recent Ofsted inspection.

The school was judged to require improvement when it was previously inspected in March 2014.

In a very complimentary report, the inspectors said:  “The headteacher has high expectations of pupils and staff.  As a result, pupils’ outcomes and the quality of teaching have improved over time and are now good.Headteacher, Linda Wright, said:  “We are delighted with Ofsted’s findings as they recognised the amount of work which everyone has put in to bring about this positive outcome.

“We are particularly pleased they recognised the robust systems which we put in place to support improvement are proving efficient and that our Governors are well informed and pro-active.”

Michael Jameson, Bradford Council’s Director of Children’s Services, said:  “This is an excellent result for Riddlesden St Mary’s.  Pupils, staff, parents, Governors and the wider community who have all contributed to this achievement should be very proud.”

Other comments in the report include:

• Leaders are passionate about the school’s values and promote them exceptionally well.  As a result, pupils develop a clear understanding of democracy, law, freedom, liberty, tolerance and respect.
• Governorshave sought good training opportunities to ensure they have the necessary skills to fulfil their statutory responsibilities.
• The school is promoting reading well.
• Staff believe behaviour is good in school.  Parents agree and believe that their children enjoy school.

 

Bradford Council backs campaign to get children more physically active this summer

Children across the Bradford district are being encouraged to take part in the summer Change4Life 10 Minute Shake-up to make sure they get more active. Last year almost 4,500 families across the Bradford district signed up to take part in the campaign – the second highest figure in Yorkshire. Sign-ups were highest in Eccleshill, Bradford Moor, Tong and Bowling and Barkerend. Just 21% of boys and 16% of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day  and three quarters of children aged five to 11 (75%) want to do more physical activity. The joint Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) campaign aims to get more children achieving the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity children need in 10 minute bursts. A recent survey, commissioned by Disney, Change4Life and the ASA revealed 71% of parents say their children would likely be more physically active if they were more active themselves. Swimming was found to be one of children’s favourite activities during the summer, according to 32% of five to 11-year-olds surveyed yet 30% of mums feel too self conscious to go on families swims. The survey also said 61% of parents struggle for ideas on how to keep their children active during the school holidays. Parents looking for ideas can search for change4life on line or visit www.Bradford.gov.uk/summer. Cllr Val Slater, Deputy Leader of Bradford Council and portfolio holder for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Every 10 minute burst of exercise can make a real difference and helps children get the 60 minutes they need each day. “Increased activity is good for a child’s physical, social and mental wellbeing as well as helping your child build social skills and boost their self-confidence.” “Parents and grandparents getting involved and playing with their children not only sets a good example when it comes to exercise but also helps them learn in a fun way for everyone.” 2016 marks the third year that Change4Life and Disney have come together to inspire children to move more, with fun 10 minute bursts of activity – Shake Ups – inspired by some of Disney’s most recognisable and popular characters.

WW1 Centenary activity day at Bolling Hall

Visitors to Bolling Hall can experience what is was like to be a soldier in training for the First World War at a special event next week at the Bradford Council-owned museum.

The WW1 Centenary Activity Day, from 11am to 4pm on Saturday, 16 July includes a range of actitivities for children, such as:

• Experiencing a small tented encampment with period weapons, accessories and equipment
• Handling equipment used by soldiers during WW1
• Learning about life in the trenches by talking to ‘soldiers’ in the encampment.

Bowling Park, which is close to the Hall, was used as a training camp for the Bradford Pals during the First World War, where they prepared for life on the front line. In its time, the encampment would be visible from Bolling Hall.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: “This will be an insightful learning experience for young visitors, being able to feel part of the training camp – which is a different angle to what we have learnt in recent weeks about the lives of soldiers in this war.”