Lord Mayor launches Children’s Safety Initiative

A ground-breaking children’s safety initiative was launched at the weekend.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Coun Abid Hussain, unveiled the scheme which involves three schools taking part in the Children’s Year of Safety, which has the support of a wide range of organisations and agencies.

The schools involved are Our Lady of Victories Catholic Primary, Merlin Top Primary Academy and Laycock Primary.  Each term during the academic year they will cover different topics around safeguarding and safety.

It is hoped that if the scheme is a success, it will be rolled out to other parts of Keighley and the wider Bradford district.

Coun Abid Hussain said:  “When we work together we can give our children every chance to thrive and fulfil their potential – which is what every one of them deserves,” he said.

“The Children’s Year of Safety is a new idea and I am delighted that we in Keighley are leading the way on such an important piece of work.

“There’s an old saying, ‘it takes a whole village to raise a child’. It may be an old saying, but it’s as true now as it ever was and it means we are all responsible for keeping our children safe.

“The Children’s Year of Safety will make it clear what that actually means for everyone.”

The gala – staged by the Braithwaite and Guard House Partnership, which brings together a host of organisations and agencies – has been hailed a success and was attended by hundreds of people.

There was a lot going on, on the day and attractions included a fancy dress contest, cave bus, bouncy castle, games, team sports, face painting, under-fives messy play, crafts, food and stalls.

The police and fire service were there, Keighley Healthy Living was represented and White Rose Energy distributed information.

Mae Wilkinson, five, and Tia-Rose Curry, six, help the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Cllr Abid Hussain, brush-up on road safety at Braithwaite and Guard House Gala

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.

Ends 

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.

Rhyme Challenge award winners

 

Those who made exceptional contributions to Bradford Council Libraries’ annual Rhyme Challenge received awards at a special event this week. Over 3,500 families successfully completed this year’s challenge, ran by Bradford Libraries and Early Childhood Services at the council. It was put out to 300 childcare and library settings across the district. This year saw a 75 per cent increase in uptake. The Rhyme Challenge, which ran between September 2016 and March 2017, sets children under five and their families the task of learning five rhymes. They then receive a certificate for their hard work. Of those who took part in the challenge, 92 per cent of parents felt that it had increased their child’s speech and language development. Of the staff and volunteers who oversee the challenge in childcare, toddler groups and library settings, 100 per cent felt the challenge was beneficial to the families they work with. The awards ceremony recognised the collective efforts of individuals and groups in organising the challenge and those who have gone the extra mile. The Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Abid Hussain presented the awards and guest speaker was Christina Gabbitas, poet/author and winner of the Yorkshire Women of Achievement Award 2016.  Children from Netherleigh & Rossefield School Nursery School sang and there was a rhyme time session with Dave Morrison from BHT Education & Training The award winners were: Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Best Practice Individual Award Winner – Bridget Izod – Development Officer Support, Bradford Libraries Runner up – Lois Partington –Foundation Stage Manager, Netherleigh & Rossefield School Other nominations included: Jessika Osborne – Volunteer, Airedale & Wharfedale Children’s Centre Cluster Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Best Practice Libraries Award Winner – Idle Library Runner up – Keighley Library Other nominations included: Bingley Library, City Library, Clayton Library, Eccleshill Library, Ilkley Library Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Best Practice Toddler Group Award Winner – St Theresa’s Playgroup, Queensbury Runner up – Buttershaw Christian Family Centre Other nominations included: St Andrews See & Know Group and Wibsey Methodist Toddler Group Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Best Practice Setting Award Winner – Fagley Primary School Runner up – Sandy Lane Pre-School Other nominations included: Al Hikmah School; BHT Early Education & Training; Copthorne Primary School; Greengates Primary School; Grove House Primary School Nursery; Highfield Pre-School; Lidget Green Primary School; Netherleigh & Rossefield Nursery School; Nightingales Day Nursery; Our Lady of Victories Primary School; St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School; Strong Close Nursery School; Wibsey Methodist Pre-School Bradford Libraries Rhyme Challenge Best Practice Children’s Centre Award Winner – South Bradford Children’s Centre Cluster Runner up – Airedale & Wharfedale Children’s Centre Cluster Other nominations included: Bradford West Children’s Centre Cluster and Lister Park Children’s Centre Cluster Contact Bradford Libraries on 01274 433684 for more information on the Rhyme Challenge or check out www.bradford.gov.uk/libraries

Join the Animal Agents for the Summer Reading Challenge

Animal Agents is the theme of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, run by Bradford Council’s Library Service, in July and August.

The challenge is a national libraries initiative, delivered by libraries in partnership with the Reading Agency. It aims to encourage children aged four to 11 to continue to read throughout the summer holiday. Research has shown that it improves children’s enjoyment of reading, confidence and motivation and helps prevent a dip in their literacy skills after the summer break.

Last year, over 4,200 children in Bradford took part in the challenge and almost 600 joined a library especially to start the challenge, giving Bradford the second highest number of new library members in the region.  

The Animal Agents theme is illustrated by best-selling children’s author Tony Ross, author and illustrator of the Little Princess series. He has also illustrated for children’s books by David Walliams, Francesca Simon’s Horrid Henry series and Jeanne Willis’ Dr Xargle books.

All kinds of clever animals work for the Animal Agents detective agency and young readers can ‘join’ too. They will then receive a wallet and stickers. There are also bookmarks, fortune tellers, key rings and wristbands to collect. Every child who reads six books will receive a certificate and medal, featuring Tony Ross’ artwork.

Among this year’s activities include story telling sessions of Martin Waddell’s ‘Owl Babies’ by Simon Kerrigan and Sian Williams; Dogs’ Trust Workshops; The Ultimate Animal Discovery Challenge; art workshops and ‘Zoo Lab’ sessions which involve handling real live exotic animals.

The challenge will be officially launched on Wednesday 12 July at Manningham Library by the Lord Mayor of Bradford and Lady Mayoress, Coun Abid Hussain and Shahnaz Akhtar. The challenge itself begins in libraries on Saturday 15 July.

More information on the workshops, their dates and venues can be found in the Animal Agents Summer Reading Challenge Booklet, which is available to download at www.bradford.gov.uk/libraries

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Culture, said: “The Summer Reading Challenge is always a fun and interesting activity. As well as being a great way of getting children into books, it prevents them forgetting what they have learnt over the long summer break and gives them a great sense of achievement.”

Parents reminded that school place offers will be made next week

Parents of children who are set to start in reception in primary school from September this year will find out next week which school their child has been offered a place at. This year National Offer Day takes place on Tuesday April 18 because of the Easter Holidays. Bradford Council will be sending out emails to parents from 9am on Tuesday.  People should expect to receive two emails. The first will inform them which school their child has been offered a place at and the second will contain the formal offer letter, acceptance slip and important dates for parents. Anyone who has not received their emails are advised to check their spam and junk folders  before contacting Bradford Council’s Admissions Team from April 19. Parents who applied through an individual primary school’s online system or on a paper form will be sent their offer letter by 1st class post on April 18.  Allocations will not be given over the telephone. Bradford Council’s Admissions Team encourages parents to put forward five preferences to maximise their chances of getting a place at a preferred school. This year the council has handled more than 7,500 applications for reception places in Bradford district primary schools for the 2017/18 academic year. Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills Coun Imran Khan said:  “We know that discovering where a child will be starting school is a big moment for every family and we work hard to ensure that as many pupils as possible are allocated to one of their preferred schools. “Since 2010 we have also provided 8,500 additional places at primary schools to ensure the district can meet the demand and we are constantly revisiting where more places might be needed.” National Offer Day for primary school places normally takes place on April 16 but it has been put back to Tuesday April 18 this year because of the Easter Holidays.

Fantastic family February half-term holiday swim offer

Families can take advantage of a fantastic swim offer from Bradford Council and swim from just £8 during the half term holidays next week.

The family swim offer will be available between 20 and 26 February at all Bradford Council pools.

The £8 offer is available for one adult and up to three children for swimming at all council-run pools in the district. Families of two adults and up to two children will be able to swim for £10. The offer is available at Richard Dunn Sport Centre, The Leisure Centre Keighley and Bingley, Bowling, Eccleshill, Ilkley (indoor pool), Queensbury and Shipley pools.

Richard Dunn Sports Centre also has a special offer of £15 for families wanting to both swim and slide.

Coun Sarah Ferriby Bradford Council Executive Member for Environment, Sport said: “It can be hard to find inexpensive things to do as a family during the half term holidays and this offer really cuts down the cost of a trip to the swimming pool.”

Children are classed as under 16. Please check exact times as they may vary slightly at different pools.

Follow Sport Bradford on Twitter: @SportBradford 

Opportunities for children to get active over the February half-term

Children across the Bradford district are invited to try out some new sports, reignite an interest in more traditionally popular sports or bust some moves dance at classes over the February half-term holidays.

Bradford Council’s sport and leisure service is organising the Base Camps and Dance Camps which are the ideal way to keep youngsters occupied during the school break.

The Base Camps offer the opportunity for children aged 5 to 13 to try out activities like trampolining, dodge ball and volleyball as well as have a go at more popular sports such as football, cricket, basketball and athletics.

The camps will take place at Zara Sports Centre Heaton from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February and at Richard Dunn Sports Centre from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23.

The sessions run from 9am to 3.30pm and kids will need to bring suitable kit with trainers and a packed lunch with drinks.

Children can attend the full five day or three day camps or can just do individual days.

The five day camp cost £56 for the first child and £42 for additional children. The three day camp costs £34 per child £26 for additional children and day sessions cost £14 a child. Bradford Leisure cardholders (formerly Passport to Leisure) can take part in day sessions for £11.

The Dance Camps are being led by Dance for Life and include street dance, break dance and musical theatre. On the final day of Dance Camp the youngsters will hold a performance to show off their newly acquired skills.

The Dance camps will be at Zara Sports Centre Heaton from Monday 20 to Friday 24 February from 10am – 3.00pm. Children can attend the full five day or can just do individual days.

The five day camp costs £50 for the first child and £38 for additional children and day sessions cost £12. Bradford Leisure cardholders (formerly Passport to Leisure) can take part in day sessions for £9.

Coun Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Environment, Sport and Sustainability, said: “Our Base Camps and Dance Camps are always very popular and are a great way for youngsters to try things, improve their skills and make new friends in a safe and enjoyable environment. I’m sure they will have lots of fun.”

Places are limited so booking is essential. People can book online at www.bradford.gov.uk/sport or telephone Bradford Council’s Community Sports and Activities Development Unit on 01274 522750 or email sportsunit@bradford.gov.uk
 

Feb half term Dance Camp information

Tour de Yorkshire Roadshows starting in Bradford

The first of four Tour de Yorkshire roadshows in the Bradford district will take place at Bradford City Hall on Thursday 2 February from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The roadshows give local residents and businesses everything they need to know to make the most of this year’s race.

Bradford Council is working with Welcome to Yorkshire to run the roadshows to share information on how to get involved, build excitement and maximise the benefits of the global media coverage.

Stage Three of the Tour de Yorkshire starts in Bradford city centre and goes through the district on Sunday 30 April.

Other roadshows in the district are at:

• Ilkley King’s Hall on Tuesday 28 February from 6pm to 8pm
• Victoria Hall in Saltaire on Wednesday 1 March from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
• Victoria Hall in Keighley on Monday 6 March from 2pm to 4pm.

Details on road closures, the annual sportive and Welcome to Yorkshire’s various cycling legacy projects will all be discussed, along with ways people can become an official Tour Maker or take part in the popular land art competition.