Latest news with #KatyCole
BBC News
21-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough City Council proposes changing school travel policy
A month-long consultation started on proposals to change financial support for pupils eligible for transport City Council wanted stakeholders, including parents, carers and schools, to have their say on proposals about increasing allowances it provided for some families doing the school run. This included a cycling allowance raise of £70 per term and a mileage payment increase of 30p in some consultation ends on 20 June and, if the changes are adopted, would take effect from the new school year in Cole, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said people's views would be "vitally important" in helping them make a final decision. "Your feedback will also ensure these policies support young people needing transport assistance and help inform us about how we could work differently," she said. 'Environmental benefits' The council provides travel assistance for children in Peterborough in some situations, but eligibility can depend on the child's age, distance from school and family eligible families, the council has proposed increasing mileage payments from 40p to 45p, with an enhanced rate of 70p for pupils with special educational needs and authority said it hoped this would encourage parents and carers to make their own arrangements to transport children to school, "that meets the child's individual needs".A cycle allowance for secondary-age children of £30 per term would be increased to £100. This was introduced as a temporary policy after 2020 to promote "health and environmental benefits".The council has also suggested changing its eligibility for students who do not get into their nearest or designated receive travel support, it said students must remain on a waiting list for the closest or designated school and would need to reapply at the start of each academic year. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Peterborough City Council plans to expand schools to meet demand
Four schools in a city are set to expand to meet rising demand from local families for pupil City Council has agreed to fund the works, with some construction already under four schools are: Stanground Academy, Marshfields School and NeneGate School in the city, and the Duke of Bedford Primary School in Cole, the council's cabinet member for children's services, said the authority based its decision to extend the schools on "current and forecast pupil demand in these areas". 'Work and investment' She said: "The council has a statutory duty to provide a school place for every child living in its area of responsibility who is of school age and whose parents want their child educated in the state sector."We want every Peterborough child to attend a school within the city and these projects demonstrate the hard work and investment the council are making in achieving this aim."Peterborough is one of the fastest-growing cities in the population was 215,700 according to the last census in 2021, a 17.5% increase from 2011 compared with 6.6% for council also said the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) was continuing to rise, particularly for children with severe learning difficulties and mental health needs. NeneGate School, a specialist school for pupils aged eight to 16, is expected to have a new teaching block with five classrooms by September approved by planners, this will accommodate an extra 40 pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs at the school, phased over two School in Dogsthorpe, which specialises in pupils who have learning difficulties and additional needs, will get two additional classrooms to create 16 places for primary-aged children with severe learning works are expected to start in July and be ready to use from are already under way at Stanground Academy, a secondary school and sixth form, to get additional dining room space that should be finished by Duke of Bedford Primary School in Thorney will have two mobile classroom units with toilets, which will increase its capacity by 15 pupils for each school year, which should be completed by of this project is being funded using contributions from Allison Homes, which has a housing development in the BBC asked the council how much funding it would provide for the expansion, and how much pupil demand was expected to increase by. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trust appointed to run new city primary school
An academy trust has been appointed to run a proposed 420-space primary school on a new housing development. The Hampton Academies Trust was appointed by the Department for Education to operate the new school in Great Haddon, south of Peterborough. The school is expected to be finished by September 2026 and serve the development, which will eventually have more than 5,000 homes. Katy Cole, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We have good faith in them to run this as a good quality school that will be essential for the township as it grows." She said Peterborough was a fast-growing city and needed to have the right facilities to keep up. "We are committed to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to meet the demands of a growing population, which will need additional school places." Great Haddon is a new development south of the city between the A1(M) and Hampton, west of Yaxley, and its first residents moved in last year. Once finished it is expected to have 5,350 homes, three primary schools, a secondary school, three shopping centres and sports facilities. Construction on the primary school is due to begin in late summer, but this depends on permission being granted by city council planners at a meeting in July. The school will be a state-funded academy independent of local authority control and get funding directly from the government. Hampton Academies Trust, which operates schools in Hampton and Dogsthorpe, were chosen after trusts were invited to bid to run the site. Dr Helen Price, the trust's executive headteacher, said information events for parents and carers would be held ahead of the school's opening. "From our many years of operating on the Hampton development, we understand how schools can put the heart and soul into new communities," she said. "Our vision is to combine a strong emphasis on learning and progress with an inclusive ethos, which fosters respect, well-being and the rounded development of the whole child." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Bid to run new school is open to academy trusts New development putting pressure on local services New primary school could open by 2025, say council Hampton Academies Trust Peterborough City Council
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Academy trust appointed to run Great Haddon primary school
An academy trust has been appointed to run a proposed 420-space primary school on a new housing Hampton Academies Trust was appointed by the Department for Education to operate the new school in Great Haddon, south of school is expected to be finished by September 2026 and serve the development, which will eventually have more than 5,000 Cole, Peterborough City Council's cabinet member for children's services, said: "We have good faith in them to run this as a good quality school that will be essential for the township as it grows." She said Peterborough was a fast-growing city and needed to have the right facilities to keep up."We are committed to ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place to meet the demands of a growing population, which will need additional school places." Great Haddon is a new development south of the city between the A1(M) and Hampton, west of Yaxley, and its first residents moved in last finished it is expected to have 5,350 homes, three primary schools, a secondary school, three shopping centres and sports on the primary school is due to begin in late summer, but this depends on permission being granted by city council planners at a meeting in school will be a state-funded academy independent of local authority control and get funding directly from the government. 'Heart and soul' Hampton Academies Trust, which operates schools in Hampton and Dogsthorpe, were chosen after trusts were invited to bid to run the Helen Price, the trust's executive headteacher, said information events for parents and carers would be held ahead of the school's opening."From our many years of operating on the Hampton development, we understand how schools can put the heart and soul into new communities," she said."Our vision is to combine a strong emphasis on learning and progress with an inclusive ethos, which fosters respect, well-being and the rounded development of the whole child." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
09-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Easter holiday scheme launched for Peterborough children
Children are being encouraged to take part in free sports and creative sessions during the Easter Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, led by Peterborough City Council, aimed to provide healthy food and activities for primary and secondary school pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).Between 7 and 21 April, eligible children could enjoy free, four-hour sessions, at 50 venues across the with children who are eligible for free school meals can book a slot from Monday. All sessions are funded by the Department for Katy Cole, cabinet member for children's services, said: "I'm delighted that we are once again offering these sessions which have previously proved very popular. There are a wide range of different activities on offer throughout the Easter holidays which children of all ages can enjoy."These sessions provide healthy food and activities that enable children to interact with other children and encourage them to try out new things. "If your child is eligible, then please have a look at what is on offer near you. For parents with children with Send, I'd urge you to look on the website and call those providers you are interested in to see what they can offer you and your child." Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
