Consultation launched over increasing pupil numbers at Carlton Bolling College

Bradford Council is consulting on proposals to increase the number of pupils aged between 11 and 16 at Carlton Bolling College and to close the school’s sixth form. If the plans are approved the school would take on an extra 60 children in year seven each year, increasing its pupil admission number to 300 to provide much needed extra places for 11 to 16-year-olds in the area. The proposal also includes plans to close Carlton Bolling College’s sixth form from 2019. A review carried out by the Department for Education on sixth form provision proposed the launch of new tech level qualifications which are equivalent to A-levels. It is expected that schools will need additional resources to deliver these new courses. Carlton Bolling College is requesting permission to close their sixth form as it is thought it would be difficult for the school to provide this new range of technical qualifications in future. Bradford Council has also commissioned a review of post-16 education which found that the district would be better served by the creation of a small number of large sixth form colleges and a reduction in the number of small school sixth forms. The council believes this model would be more financially sustainable and able to provide a wider range of courses for young people in the district. The Education, Skills and Funding Agency has already approved the opening of two sixth form colleges in Bradford for 2019 which will provide 2,000 places. The consultation for the proposed changes at Carlton Bolling College is underway and runs until October 20. A full analysis will be carried out and a report with recommendations will be made to the Council’s executive in December 2017. If the proposals are approved the sixth form would close in 2019. Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “We are committed to ensuring we provide enough school places across the district. Carlton Bolling College is an improving school which has just moved into its new building. Allowing it to expand its intake will help to ensure we can meet the demand for places in Bradford East. “We are confident that moving towards a system where Bradford is served by a small number of large sixth form colleges will improve the results and life chances of our young people and will be a positive step for the district.” Online responses can be made on the consultation section of Bradford Council’s website: (https://www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations/consultation-and-engagement/ ) under current consultations. People can also take part in the consultation by email  to: educationconsultation@bradford.gov.uk quoting changes to Carlton Bolling College. Ends.

Abbey Green Nursery School is praised by Ofsted

Children at Abbey Green Nursery School & Children’s Centre continues to receive a good standard of education as Ofsted inspectors judge the centre to be good for the fifth consecutive time. The Bradford Council school has sustained its Good status, in every inspection, since it was inspected in 2004; 13 years ago. In a very complimentary report, the inspector found “the leadership team has maintained the good quality of education in the nursery since the last inspection” which was in April 2014, also saying “You and your staff have high expectations of what children can achieve.” Children demonstrated how “caring and inclusive” they were in their behaviour; helping other children to put aprons on for play sessions and “displayed confidence in using sign language to communicate with other children.” “The Local Authority has recognised and values this inclusivity and is currently designating the nursery as a special needs resource base.” Staff have addressed all the recommendations from the previous inspection and other comments in the report include: Phonics is taught very well.  Children enjoy the activities, and are skilled at knowing the sounds letters make. You have continued to develop the Governance of the Nursery. Partnership working with parents is very strong. …”adult classes delivered by the family and community team in the nursery have helped them in developing their knowledge of English, and so help them support their children.” Headteacher, Margot Dixon, said:  “We are delighted with this latest report as it is clear that Ofsted see the school as we do.  Pupils, staff, parents and Governors are delighted that our continued hard work has paid dividends and we are all extremely pleased with this outcome.” Chair of Governors at the School, Khalid Mahmood, said: “I am delighted that the continuing dedicated and hard work of staff has been rewarded and that the Inspector recognised that our children are making great progress.” Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said:  “This is excellent news for Abbey Green.  Five consecutive Good Ofsted inspections is a fantastic achievement and all those who have worked so hard to bring about this result should be justly very proud.”

Council seeking sponsor for new social, emotional and mental health free school

Bradford Council is looking for a sponsor to run a new special free school for pupils with social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

The new school is being created in Bradford after the council successfully bid with partners in the district and neighbouring councils for Education and Skills Funding Agency funding.

The free school will offer whole life services based around excellent education, family care and work-life support with space for 72 pupils and a 12 bed residential facility.
Bradford Council is now inviting applications to run the new school.  The council is hosting an event this week to share its vision with prospective sponsors.

Representatives from Social Care,  Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and neighbouring local education authorities will also be attending.

The event takes place at the Ernest Saville Room in City Hall from 10am to 1pm on Friday September 22.

Applications to run the new school can be submitted at any time before noon on November 24 this year.  The Council cannot grant a deadline extension. Any organisation wanting to submit a bid should register their interest first.

The new school is set to be built on the former Rhodesway playing fields site on Lower Grange, Bradford.

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member  for education, employment and skills, said: “This new free school will play a key role in our provision for pupils with special educational needs.  We are looking for an organisation which can fulfill our vision for a school which provides  whole life services based around excellent education, family care and work-life support. We believe this school can make a real difference to the lives of young people who will benefit from this support.”

Children’s Year of Safety campaign to launch in Braithwaite and Guardhouse

The Children’s Year of Safety, an innovative child safety campaign, is set to launch in Keighley’s Guardhouse and Braithwaite neighbourhoods . The launch will take place at the Braithwaite and Guardhouse Gala which runs from 11 am – 2pm on Saturday, September 16 at Merlin Top Academy. Schools, organisations, residents and children are being asked to commit to six simple steps that will reduce risks of all kinds for children and help them get off to the best start in life and fulfil their potential as they grow. The campaign’s pioneering Six Steps to Safety will be covered in schools each half-term and will be mirrored by activities in the wider community. The first step, and the focus for the first two months of the campaign is: Children need to come to school every day, and on time. This will be followed each half term by the other five steps: 11 or under ? Be home by 8 pm for a good night’s sleep Be safe online – stay up to date with what you need to know Worried about a child ? – speak out, stay safe Alert today, alive tomorrow – safety around roads and cars Play safe in the holidays Staff from the primary schools serving the area have worked together with Bradford Council officers and councillors, police, churches and voluntary organisations to develop the campaign. Year 5 pupil Tiannie Jessop, from Our Lady of Victories Primary School, won a competition to design the campaign’s logo which will be used throughout the campaign. As part of her prize she met the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Abid Hussain, who will attend the campaign launch at the Gala. John Devlin, headteacher at Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary School, said: “Children’s safety is a top priority for us so the Year of Safety is a very exciting project. We live in a wonderful community, and by everyone working together I am confident that we can make Braithwaite and Guardhouse a really safe area for all of our children.” Cllr Val Slater, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing, said: “Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility. It’s great to see this initiative bringing parents, schools and community organisations together to help deliver an innovative campaign to keep children safe.”

Easier Access Event postponed

An event planned this week in City Park has been postponed due to severe weather warnings.

The 10th anniversary Easier Access event, organised by Bradford Council’s Disability Partnerships and supported by Sovereign Health Care, was due to be held on Wednesday 13 September.

But severe weather warnings of high winds have forced organisers to postpone it. They are hoping to reschedule the event to Tuesday, 3 October.

The annual event raises awareness of disability issues. It is aimed at carers, voluntary and statutory organisations and their employees, local businesses and the general public.

This year’s event will feature inclusive sports and activities, live bands, short films on the Big Screen, a climbing wall and stalls around City Park with information and advice. Over 70 different local organisations are contributing to this well loved, inclusive and valued event.

Coun Dale Smith, Co-Chair of the Strategic Disability Partnership, said: “This is not a decision we have taken likely, but it is something we have had to do on safety grounds. We look forward to holding this popular event at a later date.”

Bradford Opportunity Area is launched to boost social mobility

A programme to boost social mobility for young people across the district has been launched as Bradford became an Opportunity Area. Bradford has been selected by the Department for Education as one of 12 areas nationally to receive extra funding to improve the life chances of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. A local partnership, including Bradford Council, will work to ensure that young people are equipped with the qualifications and skills they need to fulfill their potential. The focus of the programme will be to ensure children and young people in every area can access high quality education and opportunities at every stage. This work will involve a partnership between central Government, Bradford Council and other stakeholders and communities across the district. This will include schools, academy sponsors, local and national businesses, Local Enterprise Partnerships, further education colleges, universities, the voluntary sector and more, including government backed organisations such as the Careers and Enterprise Company and National Citizen Service. As part of the Opportunity Areas Programme, an Education Endowment Foundation research school has been established in Bradford to find the best ways of raising standards and improving education in the district. This will be run by Dixons Academies who will gather and share evidence of best practice on social mobility to help Bradford teachers tackle this issue in their schools. Bradford will receive a share of an extra £72 million in total which is being invested in 12 opportunity areas over the next three financial years: 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-2020. Bradford Council leader Coun Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Giving the young people of Bradford, regardless of their background, the best possible start in life is a top priority to me, the Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.  As the youngest city in the UK, Bradford has the potential to produce our region’s next generation of productive, highly skilled people, who will drive forward the growth of tomorrow. “The Bradford Opportunity Area offer we are launching will help us to unlock that amazing potential and support our children need to achieve. By providing vital skills development we will ultimately enable young people to find fulfilling, good quality employment. “We are delighted that the Department for Education and the Careers and Enterprise Company have recognised the strength of opportunity here in Bradford. Through this initiative, and the work we’re already doing as a Council and as a Combined Authority, I’m confident that we can make Bradford and the wider City Region a place where every young person can have a good education, a good job and a good quality of life.” Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “The launch of Bradford as one of the country’s Opportunity Areas is great news for the district. “The focus of this work will help us to achieve our ambition for all our young people to have the best start in life, access a good education and achieve the qualifications they need to ensure they and the district can have a bright future.” The 12 Opportunity Areas are Bradford, Blackpool, Derby, Norwich, Oldham, Scarborough, West Somerset; Doncaster, Fenland and East Cambridgeshire, Hastings, Ipswich and Stoke-on-Trent.

Council seeks views on the expansion of Low Ash Primary

Bradford Council is consulting on its proposed plans to enlarge Low Ash Primary School in Wrose. 

The consultation begins on Friday 8 September and runs until 20 October. A full analysis will be carried out and a report with recommendations will be made to the Executive of the Council in December 2017. 

The proposal would see the expansion of the school building to enable the Published Admission Number (PAN) to be increased from 60 to 90 pupils.  The school currently has capacity for 420 children which would rise to 630 if this proposal is agreed. 

The demand for places in this area continues to increase particularly with regard to the number of housing developments approved or awaiting a decision.  Some homes have been completed and children have been accommodated in other recently expanded schools. 

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said:  “Low Ash Primary is a popular school and usually receives more applications than it has places for. 

“The school has adequate space for it to be expanded, and subject to the consultation and appropriate planning permission, would look to commence the increased intake with effect from September 2019.” 

The consultation is on the Council’s consultation webpage and responses can be made in various ways: 

• Online via (SNAP) https://www.bradford.gov.uk/consultations/current-consultations/consultation-and-engagement/
• By email at educationconsultation@bradford.gov.uk quoting “changes to Low Ash Primary School”
• By post using the reply form sent out with the consultation document.

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Contact:  Nina Mewse, Senior Provision and Places Officer, T 01274 439346. 

Notes to Editors:

The link provided  above takes you to the current consultations page.  Please scroll down to : 

Consultation on the Expansion of Low Ash Primary School in order to increase the Published Admission Number.

Tim Peake’s spacecraft to land in Bradford

The spacecraft which transported Tim Peake, the UK’s first European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, to and from the International Space Station, will be landing at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford for public viewing from Wednesday, 27 September 2017.

The Soyuz TMA-19M capsule, complete with equipped interior and char marks on its outer body from its re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere, will displayed along with its 25m diameter parachute.

The display of the iconic craft will be accompanied by an inspiring and immersive range of activities, including the Space Descent VR experience, narrated by Tim Peake himself.  Space Descent VR uses Samsung Gear VR headsets to recreate the experience of travelling over the International Space Station (ISS) and the incredible 250-mile journey back down to earth inside the Soyuz TMA-19M.

The VR imagery has been created by the award-winning Alchemy VR studio for the Science Museum Group, and is experienced with the latest Samsung Gear VR headsets in a bespoke VR lounge inside the museum.

The museum’s October half-term activities (21 – 29 October) will also be dedicated to Tim Peake’s Principia mission, featuring out-of-this-world experiences such as astronaut-training, taking the helm at mission control and launching self-designed rockets. And the museum’s popular series of Lates events for adults returns on 28 September with an evening of interactive space-themed entertainment.

Museum director, Jo Quinton-Tulloch, said: “The Science Museum Group acquired the Soyuz TMA-19M capsule last year, and we’re the first venue to display it outside the capital. It’s hard to express how excited we are to be bringing it to Bradford. The Soyuz capsule represents one of history’s most incredible technological feats, and this is an unmissable opportunity for visitors young and old to see the craft that took Tim Peake all the way to the Space Station and back.”

Soyuz TMA-19M carried Peake and crewmates Yuri Malenchenko and Tim Kopra in ESA Expedition 46/47 to the ISS on 15 December 2015, returning on 18 June 2016. It was acquired last year by the Science Museum Group.

Commenting on the acquisition, ESA astronaut Tim Peake said: “You do become very attached to your spacecraft because it definitely does save your life. I’m absolutely delighted that my Soyuz spacecraft, the TMA-19M, is going to be returning here to the UK and may serve, hopefully, as inspiration for our next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Details of visiting arrangements and special events, including the Space Descent VR experience and half-term activities at the National Science and Media Museum will be announced at a later date.

Space Descent VR with Tim Peake and the presentation of Tim Peake’s spacecraft have been made possible with support from Samsung and the generous co-operation of Tim Peake and the European Space Agency.

Heritage Day at Keighley Library

Visitors to Keighley can discover more about the town’s heritage at Keighley Library this coming weekend. The annual Heritage Day at Keighley Library will take place on Saturday, 9 September. There will be local, family, schools and military stands and this year the event will take on a musical theme reflecting Keighley’s musical heritage. People can meet local and family history groups including Keighley Local History Society, Keighley Family History Society, Men of Worth, Keighley Schools Heritage and Airedale and Haworth writers. At 11am there will be a special Rhymetime for children of all ages with guest presenters ‘Little Notes’.  The sing-along will feature woodwind instruments and fun and games. From 11am until 4pm there will be music from local musicians Foxes Faux, Dayner Sim and Niamh Mirfield and Keighley group The Presidents. There will be displays of Keighley’s musical heritage since the 1950s from the local studies library collections. At 1pm musician and historian Gary Cavanagh author of ‘Noise of the Valleys’ will give a talk with musical clips from the CD that accompanies the book. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said:  “People can drop in throughout the day and discover more about the heritage of the local area.” Admission to the event is free and everyone is welcome.