Education

Schools across Stoke-on-Trent are looking for people to become School Governors There are a number of schools who are currently looking for new governors across the city, we have been told that there are at least 25 vacancies that need to be filled. No special qualifications are required, but you must be 18 or over on the date when you are elected or appointed. Enthusiasm, commitment and an interest in education are the most important qualities.

Berryhill and Hanley East City Councillor Adrian Knapper is shocked and outraged to read within Friday nights Sentinel that the Conservative/Independent Liberal Democrat Alliance that now runs Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants to expand Birches Head School by an extra 300 pupils when residents within the Bucknall area want a new School at the Mitchell site.

91% of parents were allocated their first choice of secondary school for their children compared to the national average of 83% Staffordshire schools did even better by allocating 95% for parents their first choice schools. Last year there were issues surrounding the allocation of places at Sandon High School. A number of parents whose children would have attended Longton High School were refused places at Sandon High on appeal even though Sandon High officially takes over Longton this year.

Local Labour MP, Rob Flello has reacted furiously after Tory Council Leader Cllr Ross Irving dashed hopes that young children in Stoke-on-Trent could get free school meals under the government pilot scheme.

Parents applying for school places in Staffordshire will have good reason to celebrate today, since 95 per cent of applicants have been allocated their first choice of Staffordshire secondary school and 98 per cent have been allocated one of their top three preferred schools.

Council Leader Ross Irving has today confirmed he is to stand firm in his resolve to see an Academy type school built on or around the Adderley Green area. He believes that Schools Minister, Vernon Coaker is happy with the City's BSF proposals.

Stoke-on-Trent’s contentious and hard fought Building Schools for the Future programme has been given a major boost with the announcement that the project’s Outline Business Case (OBC) has been approved. Confirmation of the approval means government funding is now confirmed in principle for the £250m programme, which will see all secondary and special schools in the city rebuilt or refurbished between 2010 and 2014.

Schools in Stoke-on-Trent are being challenged to come up with innovative ways of going car free. Secondary schools all over the West Midlands are being asked to take part in the Car Free Challenge, encouraging more students and teachers to walk, cycle, or use public transport to get to school. The challenge highlights alternatives to using the car, while also helping students to become healthier, and making the roads less congested and safer.