Stoke Lodge: High court trial to settle 15-year playing field row
Helen Powell, from We Love Stoke Lodge campaign group, said she hoped they would be able to "make sure the land stays open for generations to come".In June 2023, the council voted to protect Stoke Lodge for public use, meaning it cannot be fenced off to the public.Cotham School, which was granted a 125-year lease on the land in 2011, said the decision would impact its ability to conduct sport lessons.
"We will be arguing that Ofsted and the Department for Education are very clear that you don't need perimeter fences," Ms Powell continued."Schools up and down the country do PE in public parks, there is no reason for Cotham to fence us out."In a statement, Cotham School told the BBC: "We are confident in our case, however since legal proceedings are now live and the decision is in the hands of the courts, it would be inappropriate to comment at this time."The trial should last about five days, but a final ruling is not expected until later in the year.
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
London and South East see largest regional drops in GCSE pass rate
London and south-east England have seen larger year-on-year falls in the GCSE pass rate than all other regions, the 2025 exam figures show. Some 71.6% of entries in London were awarded grade 4 or above this year, which is considered a standard pass. This is the highest for any region in England, but down nearly a full percentage point from 72.5% in 2024. In south-east England the proportion has dropped from 70.4% to 70.0%. Most regions have seen a drop in the standard pass rate this year, though by a smaller margin. For example, in the West Midlands the figure has fallen from 63.1% to 62.9%, the lowest for any region in England, while neighbouring East Midlands is down by just 0.1 percentage points from 65.1% to 65.0%. Only one region saw a clear year on year increase in entries receiving a grade 4 or above: eastern England, up from 67.9% to 68.0%. Four regions saw a greater proportion of entries awarded 4 or above than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019: eastern England, north-east England, London and south-west England. London is also the region with the highest proportion of entries awarded the top grades of 7 or above, at 28.4%, down slightly from 28.5% in 2024. North-east England had the lowest regional percentage at 17.8%, unchanged from last year. These regions have recorded the highest and lowest proportion of entries getting the top grades in each of the past three years, but the gap between them has narrowed over that period, from 10.8 percentage points in 2023 to 10.7 points in 2024 and 10.6 this year. The gap remains wider than before the Covid-19 pandemic, however, when it stood at 9.3 points in 2019. It is also wider than at any point in the pre-pandemic period back to at least 2009, when the earliest archive data is available, according to analysis by the PA news agency. London is one of three regions to see a year-on-year drop in entries receiving top grades, along with south-east England (down from 24.7% to 24.6%) and the East Midlands (from 18.3% to 18.1%). The East Midlands is the only region where the proportion of entries awarded 7 or above this year, 18.1%, is lower than the equivalent figure in the pre-pandemic year of 2019 (18.3%). At a national level, 31.6% of entries in Northern Ireland received grade 7/A or higher, above the equivalent figure for England (21.8%) and Wales (19.5%). For entries awarded 4/C or higher, Northern Ireland was ahead at 83.5%, some way above England (67.1%) and Wales (62.5%). Here are the percentages of GCSE entries awarded the top grades of 7 or higher, by nation and region, in 2025, with the equivalent figures for 2024 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019: – North-east England 17.8% (2024: 17.8%; 2019: 16.4%)– North-west England 18.8% (2024: 18.6%; 2019: 18.6%)– Yorkshire & the Humber 18.4% (2024: 18.3%; 2019: 17.8%)– West Midlands 18.5% (2024: 18.5%; 2019: 18.1%)– East Midlands 18.1% (2024: 18.3%; 2019: 18.3%)– Eastern England 22.2% (2024: 21.4%; 2019: 20.5%)– South-west England 21.4% (2024: 21.2%; 2019: 20.4%)– South-east England 24.6% (2024: 24.7%; 2019: 23.5%)– London 28.4% (2024: 28.5%; 2019: 25.7%)– England 21.8% (2024: 21.7%; 2019: 20.7%)– Wales 19.5% (2024: 19.2%; 2019: 18.4%)– Northern Ireland 31.6% (2024: 31.0%; 2019: 30.5%)– All 21.9% (2024: 21.8%; 2019: 20.8%) Here are the percentages of GCSE entries awarded 4 or higher, by nation and region: – North-east England 64.9% (2024: 65.2%; 2019: 63.8%)– North-west England 64.2% (2024: 64.2%; 2019: 64.9%)– Yorkshire & the Humber 63.6% (2024: 63.9%; 2019: 64.1%)– West Midlands 62.9% (2024: 63.1%; 2019: 63.8%)– East Midlands 65.0% (2024: 65.1%; 2019: 65.8%)– Eastern England 68.0% (2024: 67.9%; 2019: 67.1%)– South-west England 69.1% (2024: 69.1%; 2019: 68.3%)– South-east England 70.0% (2024: 70.4%; 2019: 70.2%)– London 71.6% (2024: 72.5%; 2019: 70.6%)– England 67.1% (2024: 67.4%; 2019: 67.1%)– Wales 62.5% (2024: 62.2%; 2019: 62.8%)– Northern Ireland 83.5% (2024: 82.7%; 2019: 82.2%)– All 67.4% (2024: 67.6%; 2019: 67.3%)
Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Press and Journal
'Stand down': Tributes pour in for Skye and Lochaber mountain rescuer Bryan Powell
Heartfelt tributes have been paid to Bryan Powell, a deeply respected member of the mountain rescue community in Skye and Lochaber. Mr Powell's sudden loss has left a profound mark on those who worked with him – and on many who never met him but were touched by the selfless work he did for others. He died last month, at the age of 54, and a celebration on Skye is being planned in his honour. A dedicated volunteer with Skye Mountain Rescue Team (MRT), Mr Powell was also a former member of Lochaber MRT. He was also a committed dog handler with the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) Scotland. Over the years, he gave his time, his energy, and his quiet strength to search and rescue operations across the Highlands. He was described as 'diligent, modest, and utterly devoted,' in a moving Skye MRT tribute. The team add: 'Bryan brought his quiet expertise to countless search and rescue operations – from the large, complex incidents to the smaller, no-less-important ones. 'He was quiet, kind, self-effacing and thoughtful, never with a bad word for anyone.' Alongside his mountain rescue work, Mr Powell was known for his special bond with his dogs, Storm and Gwen. He handled them with deep affection and skill and was rightly proud of their many achievements. In his final callout, he helped locate and rescue a young Skye Trail walker who had fallen near Scorrybreac. 'None of us knew it would be the last time we'd see him,' the team said. The post poignantly added: 'Stand down, Dog Bryan, and rest in peace.' Throughout the challenges of the Covid pandemic, Mr Powell was a steady presence – guiding his teammates with a calm, measured voice and offering reassurance when it was needed most. His legacy, say those who knew him, is one of kindness, quiet courage and unwavering service. Others in the rescue community have also expressed their sorrow and admiration. 'An absolute gentleman and a pleasure to have worked alongside,' said Kintail Mountain Rescue. 'Such a good guy,' wrote fellow MRT volunteer Mark Chadwick online. 'He certainly made a very positive and supportive contribution to my – all too short – time knowing him.' 'A true gentleman for whom I had the utmost respect,' another friend shared. 'He is sorely missed.' A memorial service to celebrate Mr Powell's life will take place at the Sligachan Hotel on Saturday September 6, from 2-4pm. A funeral notice reads: 'Please come as you are, wearing whatever makes you feel most yourself. 'Bryan valued comfort and authenticity.' Mourners are encouraged to bring stories – of kindness, adventure, humour or humanity – and to share in the memory of a man who gave so much of himself in the service of others. Sign up for our weekly newsletter, curated by Oban-based reporter Louise Glen, for top local stories and community highlights. 👉 Subscribe here Join the chat on Facebook: West Coast Chat
ITV News
2 days ago
- ITV News
Major recruitment drive underway to get more men working in nurseries
Report by Emma Sweeney A major recruitment drive is underway to encourage more men in the North West to join the early years workforce. It comes as new research, commissioned by the Department for Education, reveals the majority of parents believe it's important for children to be cared for by both men and women 9/10 parents believe young children should be cared for by both men and women 47% say their child's nursery has no male staff One man bucking the trend is J Scarisbrick, who works at Cherry Tree Nursery in Warrington. He originally trained as a chiropractor and was all set for a long career in the sports and health industry. However, after spending more and more time with his young nephews and his girlfriend's nieces, he realised he had a deeper calling - working with children during their most formative years. He said: 'Women can be incredible fire fighters and amazing police officers, so why can't men be early years educators? You just have to ignore the stigma and be there for the kids as they need men in their lives and I am so proud being a father figure for all my kids in our nursery.' Parents at Cherry Tree nursery say they feel lucky to be in the minority. Rebecca Wheeler said: "J has been an amazing asset to Romeo's experience. He's taken to him like a big brother." As part of a nationwide recruitment drive to help staff early years settings, the government are offering payments of £1000 in 38 areas to attract more men into the industry. The research, commissioned by the Department for Education, also shows that around a quarter of adults believe gender stereotypes (25%), fear of judgement or false accusations (25%) and social pressure to pursue more 'masculine' careers (24%) are major reasons why men are deterred from entering the sector It comes ahead of the September childcare expansion due to save parents up to £7,500 a year. Nurseries are under pressure to to recruit in time for the September expansion of 30 funded childcare hours for children from 9 months old. Working parents of children older than nine months are currently able to access 15 hours of funded childcare a week, before the full rollout to all eligible families in September. The Labour Government previously announced that up to 4,000 childcare places are set to be rolled out at new or expanded school-based nurseries in England from next month. Minister for Early Education, Stephen Morgan, said: 'Children thrive when they're supported by a diverse mix of role models – and that starts in the early years. 'With big changes coming in September, we're backing nurseries to recruit the staff they need and encouraging more men to consider this rewarding career. Through our Plan for Change, we're making early years careers more appealing – and reminding dads that if you've helped your own child learn and grow, you've already got the skills to make a difference to many more.' However, the expansion of the early years sector comes amid a national debate about safety, sparked by the tragic death of 9-month-old Genevieve Meehan at the hands of her nursery worker in Stockport in 2022. Her parents say if the Government is going to prioritise recruitment and promise more nursery places, it must also implement robust safety measures. Katie Wheeler, Genevieve's mother said: It's a very laudable aim and I think it's important to see more men in the early years workforce. Howerver we want to see mandatory CCTV in nurseries, a focus on safer sleep and safer sleep training and an overhaul of the Ofsted inspection process, so that this rapid expansion is also met with a call to action in terms of safety." Following their daughter's death her parents, Katie and her partner John Meehan, launched a campaign calling for major changes, including compulsory CCTV in nurseries, mandatory safe sleep training for staff and unannounced inspections by Ofsted to be routine. A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'Genevieve's death was a tragedy and should never have happened. Keeping children safe is an absolute priority and an important part of part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every child the best start in life. 'Our landmark Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is the biggest piece of child protection legislation in a generation, and we are introducing a wide range of strengthened safeguarding measures from September 2025 including enhanced recruitment practices to further prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children, and new whistleblowing requirements to help ensure that all early years educators understand how to escalate any safeguarding concerns. 'We will continue to closely monitor whether any further changes are needed to keep children as safe as possible.'
