logo
Derbyshire school shortlisted for global award

Derbyshire school shortlisted for global award

BBC News18-06-2025
A school in Heanor that was heavily criticised by inspectors a decade ago has been shortlisted for an international award in honour of its community work.Heanor Gate Spencer Academy was branded "inadequate" by Ofsted inspectors in 2013 but has been rated as "outstanding" since 2023.Now it has earned a nomination in the Community Collaboration category of the World's Best School Prizes event, organised by educational platform T4 Education, in recognition of its work with a local foodbank, care home and boxing gym.Principal Matt Jones told the BBC he wanted his school to be "at the heart of the community" rather than just being about classroom lessons.
Mr Jones said the school had stepped up its community involvement since the Covid pandemic."There have been a lot of people involved in the evolution of the school," he said."It's not just academic success, rising through the ranks Ofsted, but also developing community partnerships." "I think Covid brought us all together as a community."There was a lot of work to do to support families through that period. Money was tight and we had to do as much as we could to try and provide support that was more than education and our school did fantastically well."The school has teamed up with Heanor's Salcare Foodbank with pupils working to help cut the stigma for people using this service.They have also collaborated with a local primary school to help residents in nearby care homes and children from the school regularly have boxing coaching at the Full Power Fitness gym.Lottie, 14, welcomed the school award nomination, saying: "I think it is a great opportunity for the school to be seen and noticed and it makes me proud that I am part of the school."When I was told it [the award scheme] was worldwide I was shocked that we had made it into the top ten."
T4 Education founder Vikas Pota said: "It is in schools like Heanor Gate Spencer Academy where we find the innovations and expertise that give us hope for a better future. "Congratulations on becoming a finalist for the World's Best School Prizes 2025. Leaders and schools around the world have so much to learn from this inspirational Derbyshire institution."There are four other categories in the competition and the winners will be announced at the World Schools Summit in the United Arab Emirates in November.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Possible propane gas cylinders in Exmouth former scout hut fire
Possible propane gas cylinders in Exmouth former scout hut fire

BBC News

time27 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Possible propane gas cylinders in Exmouth former scout hut fire

A cordon is in place after a fire at a former scout hut in Devon, due to the possibility of flammable propane cylinders at the site. Four fire engines are tackling the blaze at the Imperial Recreation Ground in and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said the cordon was in place due to the "potential presence of a small quantity of propane cylinders". "Crews are working to extinguish the fire and stop it from spreading using two hose reel jets," it added.

Labour council tells staff to stop calling parents ‘mother and father'
Labour council tells staff to stop calling parents ‘mother and father'

Telegraph

time27 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

Labour council tells staff to stop calling parents ‘mother and father'

A Labour-run council has instructed staff to stop using the words 'mother' and 'father ' to refer to parents. Officials from Merton Council, in south-west London, say 'caregivers' is more appropriate as it does not make assumptions about a children's biological parents. The guidance is contained in a 27-page inclusive language guide compiled by the equality, diversity and inclusion team to encourage the use of 'gender-neutral' and 'person-centred' language. Other 'tips and suggested language' include avoiding gendered phrases such as 'man, mankind and workmanship' and instead saying, 'humans, humankind and quality of work or skills'. The guide adds that descriptive words in general – including references to race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion or age – are off the table unless they are 'relevant and valid'. In the section relating to age, the guide advises that staff 'avoid general terms as these imply that people of certain age groups or generations are a homogenous group, failing to recognise people's individuality'. Rather than 'old' or 'young', staff are advised to say 'mature individual', 'elderly person', or 'young person'. The council has even suggested banning the phrases 'man the phones' and 'man-made' in favour of 'attend the phones' and 'artificial'. Under advice to 'respect the preferences' of gender-neutral people, staff leading workshops have been warned against opening with 'welcome, ladies and gentlemen', with 'welcome to friends and colleagues' recommended as an alternative. Lord Young of Acton, the founder and general secretary of the Free Speech Union, said: 'I'm amazed that Merton council has time for this nonsense. 'I can only assume fly-tipping and potholes aren't a problem in Merton.' A council spokesman insisted: 'We aim to communicate with understanding and without making assumptions.' The council has previously come under fire as The Telegraph revealed it was the local authority with the highest percentage of minor roads in need of maintenance throughout England and Wales. According to analysis of Department for Transport (DfT) data, nearly 40 per cent of the borough's roads had potholes and were in need of major repairs. The data also showed the council had only fixed a mere 6.4 per cent of stretches needing attention.

Golden Lion pub in Birmingham's Cannon Hill Park to get repairs
Golden Lion pub in Birmingham's Cannon Hill Park to get repairs

BBC News

time27 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Golden Lion pub in Birmingham's Cannon Hill Park to get repairs

Plans for repairs to a historic pub in a Birmingham park have been approved but uncertainty remains for its Golden Lion was built in the 16th Century and originally stood on Deritend High Street but due to concerns about its condition, was dismantled and re-erected in Cannon Hill Park in the Grade II-listed timber-framed building has been unoccupied for more than 20 years and is now in a state of disrepair, scaffolded, and cordoned off from the council said it hoped the works would help preserve part of the city's heritage and avoid "future costly repairs and upkeep" but a meeting earlier heard it would need more funding for its restoration. Eddie Curry, interim head of parks, told the council's trusts and charities committee the work was "well overdue"."It's actually costing the council money to continue to make it safe and secure," he Curry said the approved work wouldn't make the building useable, only secure and watertight."It does halt the future decline of that building any further but there will need to be a future business case and more funding needed at some point that will bring the building into some functioning use," he committee ultimately agreed to grant a licence of the Golden Lion to Birmingham Conservation Trust to bring forward the programme of repairs. What will the work entail? A recent council report, published ahead of the meeting, said the trust was proposing to start work this year on repairing the external structure, roof and also wants to carry out internal repairs to walls, floors, windows and doors, as well as adding French doors at the council said the repair work would allow the removal of the trust previously said it was looking to work with the council and local groups to explore options for the future of the building so it can benefit the Thursday, the government announced historic buildings and sites across England, including four in the West Midlands, would receive grants for Golden Lion project received £344,265. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store