Have you completed your Secondary School Application?

Parents of children who will start secondary school in 2018 are being reminded that the deadline for them to apply for a school place is the end of today.

Children who were born between September 1, 2006 and August 31, 2007 will be due to start secondary school in September 2018.

Parents should have already received information about making an application for secondary school from their child’s current primary school. Anyone who does not have this should contact Bradford Council’s admissions team.

Bradford Council’s online system allows people to view and amend their application at anytime until the closing date. People will receive an automated email acknowledging that their application has been received.

Only one application maybe submitted for a child but parents can choose up to five secondary schools in that application.

Coun Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: “Moving up to secondary school is a big step in every child’s life.

“It is important that applications are made on time to give people the best chance of getting into one of their chosen schools.”

To make your application or find out more information please visit: www.bradford.gov.uk/admissions

 

 

Bingley Music Live set to return in 2018

Following on from the massive success of the Bingley Music Live festival this year, the event will be back for 2018. The Bradford Council-run festival will once again return to the beautiful setting of Bingley’s Myrtle Park. A record number of revellers flocked to the festival at the beginning of September for a weekend of fantastic fun, music and entertainment. The festival was at full capacity of 15,000 each day creating a great atmosphere and giving a real boost to the Bingley economy. The event which has been going in its current format for the past 11 years is organised by Bradford Council and is set to take place on the weekend of Friday 31 August, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September 2018. Organisers are working hard behind the scenes to bring a stellar line-up for next year. This year fans were treated to an outstanding set by the Manic Street Preachers on Friday. The Kaiser Chiefs rocked the main stage on Saturday and the festival was brought to a close by The Wombats who played an amazing greatest hits set, despite having some of their instruments stuck at Heathrow airport. Fellow rockers Feeder came to the rescue lending them their equipment. A spectacular fireworks display followed to round off what was an amazing weekend. The smaller Discovery Stage showcased the best of the latest up and coming bands and this stage is set to return for 2018. Cllr Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture said: “Bingley Music Live was truly amazing this year in terms of ticket sales and the calibre of performers. Our officers are now working hard to put together another stunning festival for 2018.”

High Park School receives Autism Accreditation

High Park School is the first school or organisation in Bradford to be awarded Autism Accreditation by the National Autistic Society.

The National Autistic Society is the UK’s leading charity for people on the autism spectrum and their families.

The award was given in recognition of the school’s good autism practice.   Autism Accreditation is an autism-specific quality assurance programme. It was set up in 1992 to improve the support available to autistic people in organisations throughout the UK and across the world, including local authorities, NHS trusts, education authorities, local autism societies and private companies.

To gain accreditation, organisations have to meet a standard of excellence and follow a framework for continuous self-examination and development. Over 500 organisations are now accredited.  The National Autistic Society’s Autism Accreditation programme was launched over 20 years ago and sets extremely high standards, which the school has worked incredibly hard to meet.

Being autistic means you feel, hear and see things in a different, often more intense, way to others and may struggle in certain social situations. More than 1 in 100 people are on the autism spectrum and it will affect each one of them slightly differently – some go onto successful careers while others need intensive support to go about their daily lives.

Find out more about Autism Accreditation on The National Autistic Society website: http://www. autism.org.uk/accreditation

Principal, Ann Andrew, is pictured with one of the students who is holding the award.

Spooky goings on in the markets in Bradford

Bradford Council’s markets team has organised several events to help shoppers to celebrate Halloween.

Oastler Shopping Centre – Saturday 28 October 12.30pm-4.30pm

The Young Master’s Visual Art School will be running a ‘mummy-making’ workshop. Under threes will be able to make a masking tape mummy and older children will be able to make their very own 3D repositionable mummy.

Local artist Musarat Raza, who is based at Cartwright Hall, will be running a Halloween mask making workshop for children of all ages.

There will also be a Halloween grotto where children can have their faces painted. Scary ghoulish characters will be parading the market. 

Oastler Shopping Centre – Friday 27 October 12-2pm

The Ministry of Food will have a live demo in the middle of the market showing people how to make pumpkin, spinach and chickpea curry. 

Keighley Market Hall – Saturday 28 October 10am-3pm

There will be a Halloween themed grotto where children can have their faces painted and spooky characters will parade the market hall. Traders will also getting into the spirit of the occasion by dressing up and handing out sweets.

Kirkgate Market, Bradford – Saturday 28 October 12-4pm

Kirkgate Market’s Joke Shop will be creating a large Halloween themed stall in the market providing a wide range of Halloween related items, including great fancy dress and accessories at great prices.

Children will also be able to get their faces painted and scary characters will roam the market floor to bring goose-bumps to shoppers.

Coun Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “Our markets team have lined up a great range of attractions to help families to celebrate Halloween, with something for everyone at these events.” 

Introduction to Directing – Taster Sessions for 18-25 year olds

Are you aged 18 -25 and living in Bradford? Are you creatively curious and have something to say to the world? Ever thought about directing for theatre?

Sign up for a taster session to our second Introduction to Directing Course!

This November, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Common Wealth will lead a course exploring what directing is and can be. Sessions will be led by West Yorkshire Playhouse’s Associate Artist, Mark Rosenblatt, and Common Wealth’s Co-Artistic Director, Evie Manning. Over five days, we want you to come and be curious with us; 11,12, 23, 25 & 26 Nov. The course is free and there will be some small stipends to cover travel expenses.

There will be a FREE taster session on Tue 17 Oct from 6pm – 8pm at Speakers Corner, Ivegate, Bradford BD1 1SA.

Email jenny.sullivan@wyp.org.uk for more information or to book for the taster session.

If you can’t make the taster, don’t worry – you can introduce yourself however you’d like. Send us a blog, a video or an email to jenny.sullivan@wyp.org.uk by Wed, 25 Oct.

@WYPlayhouse

Civic Reception held for the Bradford Bulls Ladies Rugby League Team

Bradford Bulls Ladies’ Squad made history this weekend by becoming the winners of the first Women’s Super League Grand Final.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Abid Hussain, welcomed the team to City Hall on Tuesday 10 October for a Civic Reception to mark their all-conquering season.

The Ladies beat Featherstone Rovers 36 points to six in the Women’s Super League Grand Final at Manchester Regional Arena, last Saturday.

The Bulls completed a league and cup double after also beating Featherstone 50-16 in the Women’s Challenge Cup final in July, and went through the whole season unbeaten.

Bradford Bulls Ladies Rugby Squad Civic Reception

Coun Abid Hussain said: “Bradford has a long and proud tradition in rugby league. It is therefore fitting that the fantastic Bradford Bulls Ladies  team have become the winners of the first ever Women’s Super League Grand Final, writing a new chapter in our district’s sporting history.

“I hope their achievements will inspire others to take up this great sport.”

In addition, several of the Ladies have been selected to represent England Rugby League at the inaugural Women’s Rugby League World Cup.  We wish them all the very best of luck!

 

Get in early and snap up the best Christmas cards!

Get in early and choose your favourite charity Christmas cards from the excellent range on sale at the visitor information centres (VICs) in Bradford, Haworth, Ilkley and Saltaire. Every year the Council supports cards for good causes which pays the charities at least 70p in every pound from their card sales. Charities to benefit include the British Heart Foundation, Epilepsy Action, Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK, Macmillan and NSPCC. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: “Start shopping now and take advantage of the wonderful selection on offer. The popular designs do sell out quickly so get down to the VICs as soon as you can.” The Visitor Information Centres are open 10am – 4pm Monday to Saturday with Haworth and Saltaire also open on Sundays from 10am – 4pm. To keep up to to date with what’s new from the Visitor Information Centre and what is happening around the district follow them on Twitter @VisitBradford, Facebook/visit bradford and Instagram VisitBradford. To see more details about the Christmas events planned around the district, log on to www.visitbradford.com/christmas.

Bradford Council to boost voter registration

Bradford Council is urging residents not to get caught out and ensure they are registered to vote. Throughout October the council will send out reminder letters and canvassers will visit properties where people haven’t responded. The local authority will run an online and street poster campaign encouraging groups which are traditionally under represented on the electoral roll. Registration allows people to vote in elections and referendums, positively contributes to credit scores and is a legal requirement. Bradford district’s voter electoral registration rates are higher than the national average of 2.5% and have increased by 4.9%. However, Bradford Council wishes to ensure as many people as possible take part in democratic processes. Registration only takes a few minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote or by calling 01274 43 2287. All people need is their name, address, date of birth and National Insurance number. Kersten England, Electoral Registration and Returning Officer for Bradford district: “We are working hard to ensure as many people as possible are able to vote in elections and referendums. “If an election is called and you’re not registered, you won’t be able to vote. “Registering only takes a few minutes. “Your vote matters! Don’t lose it.”

 

Chewing gum campaign

Shoppers outside the Broadway shopping centre tomorrow (Thursday, 5 October) will see the launch of a new campaign to tackle the problem of chewing gum on pavements and roads. Bradford Council will align with a national campaign organised by the Chewing Gum Action Group to change behaviour and make people think twice before dropping their gum on the floor. Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Culture and Sport, said: “Dropped chewing gum is a significant messy problem for Bradford. “It is very costly and time consuming to remove and the process of removing it can also damage the pavement or road.” Since mid-July, eight private enforcement officers have been patrolling the streets of Bradford and issuing Fixed Penalty Notices to people who drop litter, urinate and spit, as well as Dog Control Order offences. They have already fined people for discarding gum and the new campaign will explain that discarded chewing gum is litter. Following the city centre launch, the campaign will be rolled out to Shipley and the rest of the district. Coun Ferriby said: “This is a problem affecting every urban area. Bradford is no different than any other town or city. “Chewing gum is harder to remove than litter that can be swept up, and this campaign is intended to raise awareness to people that chewing gum is litter – once it goes down on to the pavement it stays there.” “It doesn’t look good, it’s sticky, it takes some removing and people may not realise that this type of littering is harder to remove.” She added: “The solution is to put it in a piece of tissue, put it your pocket or put it in the bin.” Council officers will be using posters, banners, lamppost stickers and other promotional material to try and raise awareness of the problem and to make people think about helping with the solution.

Bradford City Runs invite children to join in!

Bradford City Runs on Sunday 29 October is Bradford’s annual festival of running with a unique choice of three distances: a 5km, a 10km and a half marathon along with a special kids’ mile run, all on closed roads in and around City Park in the city centre.

The one mile run for children, allows them to get involved before the adult races begin.

The race will use the same start and finish as the adults race, using Thornton Road and City Park.

Open to all children, children age 5 and under MUST be accompanied by an adult, whilst children age 6 and over MAY be accompanied by an adult.

The main route which was introduced last year, takes in parts of Little Germany and the Broadway Shopping Centre, as well as the University of Bradford, Bradford College, City Hall and the multi-award winning City Park.

Before the run Ajay L Mahajan, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Director of the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit will be presented with a cheque for £7,000 which was raised by the event last year.

Bradford City Runs will once again raise money for the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, based at the University of Bradford. The unit was set up after the tragic Bradford City fire disaster thirty two years ago and continues to explore ground-breaking treatment techniques for burns sufferers.

Hundreds of people including many children and young people have already signed up to take part in this year’s Bradford City Runs, which is designed to welcome everyone from the Bradford district and beyond, no matter how fit and how fast!

The event, which is delivered in a partnership between Bradford Council and Bradford Athletics Network, is also being hugely supported by Bradford City football club and the Bradford Bulls as well as the University of Bradford, Bradford College, St Bede’s School (pupils will oversee the water station) and many of the RunBradford running groups, running clubs and hundreds of participants from across the district.

Mr Ajay L Mahajan, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Director of PSBRU, said: “We are delighted that the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) at the University of Bradford has once again been chosen as the charity for this year’s Bradford City Runs. Last year, Su Shergill from our unit participated in the run and this year I am pleased to say that our new research fellow, Lucy Trevor will be taking part in it. I want to wish everyone taking part the best of luck whichever distance they’re running and thank them for their support, which is vital in helping us continue our work in the unit.”

For more information and to sign up to take part visit: www.bradfordcityruns.co.uk and follow @RunBradford on Twitter or Bradford City Runs on Facebook.