Latest news with #BurtononTrent
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Yahoo
Plea for exam feedback change after girl's suicide
In a woodland glade, in dappled sunshine, Sharron and Glen Markey are arm-in-arm beside the tree they planted in memory of their beloved 17-year-old daughter, Helena, their only child. The teenager, from Burton-on-Trent, loved performing arts, dazzling in the spotlight at her local theatre school, while helping younger children find confidence and their own voice. But she felt she was losing hers. In September 2015, Helena Markey took her own life shortly after a meeting at her school – The de Ferrers Academy - to discuss her future studies, following her A-Level results. Her parents say she had become distressed when discussing her options with teachers, particularly over suggestions she might need to change subjects to reach university. Her dad Glen Markey said: "The first thing was that there wasn't a breakout room for children if they became distressed, there was nobody there that had designated pastoral responsibility. "So, they were all good senior teachers, but none of them had that sort of specific skill set." The De Ferrers Academy later implemented pastoral and safeguarding changes and told the BBC those approaches continued today. But at the time of his daughter's distress, there was no such provision, said Mr Markey, who pointed to an issue that arose during Helena's inquest; a hearing that touched upon protocol, or lack thereof, in circumstances where pupils faced such struggles. "The most important thing the coroner said was that in law, there was no process for calling parents," Mr Markey explained. A decade on from Helena's death, and as exam results loom for teens this month, the couple are now petitioning the government for change, asking for "specific statutory guidance" that requires schools, colleges and universities to notify parents if a pupil is distressed by results feedback. Helena's mum Sharron Markey said she and her husband would have gone straight to the school had they been made aware of their daughter's experience. "It is really a simple thing, a phone call. Schools ring parents for example if a child turns up at school and hasn't got the correct uniform. "It's just common sense – a duty of care", she said. The inquest into Helena's death, which recorded a verdict that she had taken her life, heard that staff at the school believed the teenager had calmed down after the meeting, and stated that positive aspects of Helena's school life were also discussed. One staff member told the inquest that they believed Helena was heading home to discuss it further with her parents. The de Ferrer's Academy said Helena was "a bright, happy and talented pupil" and was regularly in their thoughts. A spokesperson said: "We support any initiative or conversation that helps raise awareness of the support that young people need – particularly at key milestones in their lives, such as the end of their exams. "Following this tragedy, we further enhanced how we help students transition through different stages of their education… "In fact our last independent Safeguarding report concludes that "children and parents can feel assured that the wellbeing and safety of all pupils is taken extremely seriously [and] there are effective processes and policies in place to uphold this." The Markeys worry that not enough is happening nationwide to support children. Mr Markey said: "There's a mental health crisis out there with young people, but a new national policy [is] something we think will benefit teachers. "I think [young people are] under as much pressure these days as they've ever been. This is really important – it could save lives." Ahead of A-Level and GCSE results days this month, their campaign for statutory guidance is being backed by the Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier, who attended The de Ferrers Academy in the year above Helena. "I still remember the smile that Helena had, that lit any room that she was in. And I thank Glen and Sharron for the bravery that they're showing in wanting to make a difference for parents," the MP said. "The key thing in this campaign is that we see action from the government, so I'll be taking this to the minister and raising the case of Helena and the campaign to hopefully bring about the change that we want to see." DfE statement A Department for Education spokesperson said in any circumstances, schools and colleges must carry out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. "Through our Plan for Change, we are rolling out access to a mental health professional in every school, as well as our new [Relationship, Sex and Health Education] curriculum, which has made clear that secondary schools should work closely with mental health professionals to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way." Pastoral support across most secondary schools has shifted considerably after the pandemic, with extra investment in mental wellbeing, and more support staff being employed in some cases. Today, the thought of a phone call home seems an obvious thing, Mrs Markey suggests. "We don't want this to happen to other families," she said. "Helena was such a beautiful person. Caring, thoughtful, generous. Just perfect." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Universities must do more to prevent suicides, ministers say Student suicide prompts 'cancel culture' warning Student's wrong results suicide prompts support call Related internet links Petition The de Ferrers Academy Department for Education
BBC News
11-08-2025
- BBC News
Parents' plea for exam feedback change after girl's suicide
In a woodland glade, in dappled sunshine, Sharron and Glen Markey are arm-in-arm beside the tree they planted in memory of their beloved 17-year-old daughter, Helena, their only teenager, from Burton-on-Trent, loved performing arts, dazzling in the spotlight at her local theatre school, while helping younger children find confidence and their own she felt she was losing September 2015, Helena Markey took her own life shortly after a meeting at her school – The de Ferrers Academy - to discuss her future studies, following her A-Level results. Her parents say she had become distressed when discussing her options with teachers, particularly over suggestions she might need to change subjects to reach dad Glen Markey said: "The first thing was that there wasn't a breakout room for children if they became distressed, there was nobody there that had designated pastoral responsibility."So, they were all good senior teachers, but none of them had that sort of specific skill set."The De Ferrers Academy later implemented pastoral and safeguarding changes and told the BBC those approaches continued at the time of his daughter's distress, there was no such provision, said Mr Markey, who pointed to an issue that arose during Helena's inquest; a hearing that touched upon protocol, or lack thereof, in circumstances where pupils faced such struggles."The most important thing the coroner said was that in law, there was no process for calling parents," Mr Markey explained.A decade on from Helena's death, and as exam results loom for teens this month, the couple are now petitioning the government for change, asking for "specific statutory guidance" that requires schools, colleges and universities to notify parents if a pupil is distressed by results feedback. Helena's mum Sharron Markey said she and her husband would have gone straight to the school had they been made aware of their daughter's experience."It is really a simple thing, a phone call. Schools ring parents for example if a child turns up at school and hasn't got the correct uniform."It's just common sense – a duty of care", she said. The inquest into Helena's death, which recorded a verdict that she had taken her life, heard that staff at the school believed the teenager had calmed down after the meeting, and stated that positive aspects of Helena's school life were also staff member told the inquest that they believed Helena was heading home to discuss it further with her de Ferrer's Academy said Helena was "a bright, happy and talented pupil" and was regularly in their thoughts.A spokesperson said: "We support any initiative or conversation that helps raise awareness of the support that young people need – particularly at key milestones in their lives, such as the end of their exams."Following this tragedy, we further enhanced how we help students transition through different stages of their education…"In fact our last independent Safeguarding report concludes that "children and parents can feel assured that the wellbeing and safety of all pupils is taken extremely seriously [and] there are effective processes and policies in place to uphold this." The Markeys worry that not enough is happening nationwide to support Markey said: "There's a mental health crisis out there with young people, but a new national policy [is] something we think will benefit teachers."I think [young people are] under as much pressure these days as they've ever been. This is really important – it could save lives."Ahead of A-Level and GCSE results days this month, their campaign for statutory guidance is being backed by the Burton and Uttoxeter MP Jacob Collier, who attended The de Ferrers Academy in the year above Helena."I still remember the smile that Helena had, that lit any room that she was in. And I thank Glen and Sharron for the bravery that they're showing in wanting to make a difference for parents," the MP said."The key thing in this campaign is that we see action from the government, so I'll be taking this to the minister and raising the case of Helena and the campaign to hopefully bring about the change that we want to see." DfE statement A Department for Education spokesperson said in any circumstances, schools and colleges must carry out their duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children."Through our Plan for Change, we are rolling out access to a mental health professional in every school, as well as our new [Relationship, Sex and Health Education] curriculum, which has made clear that secondary schools should work closely with mental health professionals to discuss suicide prevention in an age-appropriate way."Pastoral support across most secondary schools has shifted considerably after the pandemic, with extra investment in mental wellbeing, and more support staff being employed in some the thought of a phone call home seems an obvious thing, Mrs Markey suggests."We don't want this to happen to other families," she said. "Helena was such a beautiful person. Caring, thoughtful, generous. Just perfect." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
10-07-2025
- BBC News
Burton-upon-Trent man charged with murder over woman's death
A man has appeared in court accused of murdering a woman who died at a property in Cole, 38, is charged over the death of 39-year-old Lisa Holland at a house on Victoria Crescent, Burton-on-Trent on 20 October has also been charged with engaging in controlling/coercive behaviour in a Cole, from Burton-on-Trent, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday, and at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday. He was remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance on 11 September, with a trial provisionally set for February. Ms Holland's family continued to be supported by specialist officers, police said. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Teesside company celebrates first anniversary of French takeover
The North East based Paralloy Group has celebrated the first anniversary of its historic takeover of France's Manoir Industries. The future of more than 550 Manoir employees had been uncertain until Paralloy's acquisition. This included Hi-Tech Fabrication, a UK business with 65 Burton-on-Trent employees. Over the year, Paralloy's senior staff have worked closely with their new French colleagues to develop best practice. Paralloy Group's chief executive officer, Robert McGowan, said: "Our UK and French colleagues have worked so well together to create a world class team at all levels of the group. "It has been such an honour and privilege to lead this major development in our exciting journey of growth. "I am proud of what we are building and excited about the future." Teesside-based Paralloy and Manoir both cast precision steel components for heavy industries including petrochemical, aerospace, and defence. Manoir also has a foothold in France's nuclear power sector. Managers and union representatives celebrated the anniversary in Normandy by serving food and drink to Manoir employees. Mr McGowan said: "We took the time this week to pause and look back on a remarkable year full of challenges but also many wins and so much progress." The celebration in France followed a similar event in Middlesbrough last month, where Paralloy was honoured with the King's Award for International Trade. Since the change of ownership less than six years ago, Paralloy's revenues have increased by £30 million to £230 million. The number of employees in Middlesbrough, Billingham, and Sheffield has risen from 220 to 560. More than 90 per cent of its specialist stainless steel products are exported. Paralloy is now ranked second in Europe and third in the world in its sector. Mr McGowan predicted: "The best is yet to come." He highlighted the company's growth despite a series of global economic disruptions, including Brexit, Covid, soaring inflation, the energy crisis, and President Trump's tariffs. He added: "We should recognise that there are not many companies around who have been able to grow consistently year after year in this context."
BBC News
28-06-2025
- BBC News
Pedestrian dies in A38 crash involving goods vehicle near Burton
A pedestrian has died following a crash involving an articulated lorry near Police said the crash happened on the A38 southbound, near Shobnall Bridge, between Clays Mills and the Branston junction, at 20:20 BST on Friday. A man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene, and has next of kin has been informed, the force added. The lorry driver remained at the scene, and the road was closed overnight before it reopened at 06:40 BST on Saturday. Police appealed for anyone who saw the pedestrian before the crash, witnessed the incident, or had relevant dashcam footage, to contact the force. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
