Latest news with #StephenMorgan
The Guardian
5 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Future of world-renowned children's centre in hands of Reform UK
A world-renowned children's centre that provided the model for Sure Start is on the brink of collapse, with its future in the hands of the newly elected Reform UK leadership of its local council. The Pen Green Centre, which pioneered wrap-around care and learning for preschool children in one of the most deprived areas of the UK, was the blueprint for Labour's totemic early years Sure Start programme in the late 1990s. The early education minister, Stephen Morgan, is due to visit the centre on Wednesday amid reports the government is hoping to reboot Sure Start-style services as part of its child poverty strategy, expected in the autumn. The chair of Pen Green, Adam Cooper, told the Guardian the centre had been struggling to stay afloat financially because of 'political' local funding decisions. 'I'm incredibly worried we will lose the centre. Should it go, replacing it will be impossible,' he said. The centre has been locked in a funding dispute with its local authority, North Northamptonshire, in recent years. The council's previous Tory leadership made no bones about its disdain for Pen Green, cutting its funding from £1m to £300,000 in 2022 despite widespread public opposition. The survival of Pen Green, which is in Corby, an economically deprived post-industrial corner of a mainly affluent county, is being seen as an early test for the council's Reform leadership, which took power after May's local elections. North Northamptonshire's leader, Martin Griffiths, who was a Tory council leader in neighbouring Wellingborough before switching to Reform, has previously visited the centre and is understood to have been impressed by its services. In a statement, the council paid tribute to Pen Green and said it would 'endeavour' to help it: 'In relation to the previous Sure Start scheme, it was extremely respected and successful, and crucially it was funded centrally. When this was withdrawn, the initiative ceased. 'We would welcome long-term centrally funded initiatives to invest in our children, young people and communities … [our] finances are challenging, and our statutory responsibilities have priority. If the Labour government can provide the finances to run initiatives such as Sure Start then they would be viewed favourably by this council.' Maintained nurseries are funded by Department for Education grants but councils have discretion over how the money is shared. Pen Green argues its problems arose when the previous regime chose to redirect extra funding traditionally earmarked for the centre to other nurseries in the county. The education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, visited Pen Green three years ago. She is also believed to be an admirer of the centre, which was created in the early 1980s in a disused primary school and provides integrated nursery, health, family support and social care services for about 1,000 children under five each year. The centre, which is hugely popular locally, has trained thousands of early years professionals, operates a thriving research centre, and attracts hundreds of visitors a year from all over the world seeking to learn from its approach. Lee Barron, the Labour MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire, said: 'Pen Green really is the jewel in the crown as far as children's centres are concerned. It epitomises Labour values and it is something I will fight to protect.' While No 10 and Phillipson recognise Sure Start's popularity, especially with Labour voters, she has in the past downplayed the prospects of a return to the programme's generously funded glory days, saying change 'will not come simply from winding back the clock'. A key Labour mission is to ensure all children, especially those from deprived backgrounds, are 'school ready' by the time they reach primary age in areas such as language development, social skills and even teeth brushing – ambitions that children's centres such as Pen Green argue are at the core of the services they provide. Recent research has found the long-term impacts of Sure Start were positive and cost-effective, producing better health, education and social care outcomes for families who enrolled in the programme during the 2000s. At its peak in 2009-10 there were 3,600 Sure Start centres in England, before austerity cuts reduced government funding by two-thirds, with local authorities scaling back or closing most of the centres by 2018.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Manhattanhenge set to grace New York City skyline amidst uncertain skies
NEW YORK – While New York City eagerly anticipates Manhattanhenge, uncertain skies threaten to obscure the borough's radiant display. The first alignment of the setting Sun with Manhattan's street grid is scheduled for 8:13 p.m. ET Wednesday. However, the FOX Forecast Center said clouds would likely obscure the evening display. "Conditions … not looking so great," FOX Weather Meteorologist Kendall Smith said. For those unfamiliar, Manhattanhenge is a unique annual celestial event that occurs about three weeks before and after the summer solstice along the east-west streets of Manhattan at sunset. The remarkable sight ultimately transforms the borough's architecture into a dramatic, glowing canyon. These Photos Of The Sun Will Put Your 4K Tv To Shame The best locations to view Manhattanhenge include 14th Street, 23rd Street, 34th Street, 42nd Street and 57th Street. "It really is a sight to behold," said FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan, who has been among the many New Yorkers and visitors alike who are known to flock to prime viewing spots to capture this fleeting, magical moment. While Wednesday night's viewing might be a wash, there's good news for hopeful spectators, the FOX Forecast Center said. Manhattanhenge will occur again on Thursday evening, when there is a better chance of breaks in the rain. If this week's events are a bust, mark your calendars for July 13, when another opportunity to witness Manhattanhenge will arise. Stay with FOX Weather, as we will share any captivating images that emerge from this week's alignment. How To Watch Fox Weather Renowned astrophysicist and science expert Neil deGrasse Tyson first coined the phrase in the 1990s, and it has since become an annual tourist attraction. Tyson said he was influenced by England's Stonehenge, a prehistoric monument known for its alignment with the Sun. The 13-foot-high stones align with the solstices and some other celestial events, but their exact purpose remains unclear and is debated by article source: Manhattanhenge set to grace New York City skyline amidst uncertain skies
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Portsmouth naval base: Defence minister confirms investment funds
Portsmouth naval base will increase its number of operational jetties and ship berths thanks to new government investment, a city MP has Stephen Morgan said the details were confirmed in a letter from Defence Minister Maria investment, known as Project Bentham, also includes replacing and regenerating aging buildings and infrastructure with more modern Rachel Reeves pledged a £2.2bn increase in defence spending during the Spring Statement. Mr Morgan said: "It is great to get further confirmation from the Defence Minister of the Government's ambitious commitment to building on our city's proud history to deliver a modern, resilient and productive naval base." He added that money would also be provided to protect against forecast sea level rises, as well as improve ship Morgan wrote to Ms Eagle following the Chancellors announcement in her response she said the funding would secure "the long-term future of Portsmouth Naval Base, building on the city's proud maritime heritage to deliver a modern, resilient and productive home base that will enable and sustain the Royal Navy long into the future". You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Watch: Intense lightning bolt strikes Oklahoma police vehicle
NEWCASTLE, Okla. – A police vehicle in Oklahoma was damaged after it was struck by lightning Monday, and the moment was caught on video. "Just minutes ago, lightning struck a Newcastle police car during the storms," Newcastle Emergency Management said in a Facebook post. "No one was hurt, but that could have been anyone." How To Watch Fox Weather Powerful storms raced across the central U.s. on Monday, including Oklahoma. These thunderstorms produced vivid cloud-to-ground lightning, strong wind gusts and even tornadoes. "(The video) is a scary reminder of the dangers of lightning," FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres said. "Who knows where it's going to strike?" Download The Free Fox Weather App Cars, however, are a safe place to be when lightning is flashing around you during severe weather because the vehicle is grounded. "The physical phenomenon, it's called the Faraday cage," FOX Weather Meteorologist Stephen Morgan said. What Happens When Someone Is Struck By Lightning? According to the National Weather Service, about 20 lightning fatalities occur each year on average. Last month, a North Carolina corrections officer died after being struck by lightning. He was the first known lightning fatality in the U.S. this year. To help Americans remain aware of the dangers of lightning, the agency developed the slogans: "When thunder roars, go indoors" and "See a flash, dash inside."Original article source: Watch: Intense lightning bolt strikes Oklahoma police vehicle
Scottish Sun
07-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Major change to GCSE results day to be trialled this summer with thousands to get results in VERY modern way
The change should 'reduce administrative burdens on schools' APPY RESULT Major change to GCSE results day to be trialled this summer with thousands to get results in VERY modern way TENS of thousands of GCSE pupils will receive their results in a very modern way this summer. A pilot to scrap the usual paper certificates is being tried in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands ahead of a planned nationwide rollout. 2 The app could help reduce admin work for thousands of teachers Credit: Getty 2 Students receiving their GCSEs this summer will see a big change Credit: Getty Images - Getty The trial will affect 95,000 teenagers this year who will get their grades on the new Education Record app. Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: 'It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy. 'This government is slashing red tape through our Plan for Change to drive growth, cut admin for teachers and give tens of thousands of young people more opportunities to get on in skilled careers.' Hathershaw College school has been testing the app since last spring and gave it a thumbs up. Principal Mark Giles said: 'We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools, and in the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school.' This comes as academic Becky Francis unveiled her review of the national curriculum tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, earlier this year. Her report suggests slashing the amount of 'intensive, high stakes assessment' that is taking a toll on pupils' wellbeing. It highlights how British teenagers are the most tested in the western world, with Year 11s sitting up to 31 hours of papers. While exams force pupils to 'rote learn facts', she said shifting to more coursework could provide better assessments. Schools Minister Nick Gibb says he's optimistic about the GCSE results as students face 'shock' over grades Tory Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott last night slammed the proposals as 'dumbing down school standards'. She said: 'In moving away from examinations and towards coursework, qualifications will be less rigorous and less credible.' Ms Francis also said the curriculum needs to 'increase diversity in representation' and cited reports calling for more ethnic minority authors to be included. One of the papers that influenced the review was a study called Lit in Colour that bemoaned an education system where 'the literature deemed most worthy of study disproportionately represents a whiteness in a multiracial society.' Ms Francis' review said: 'Pupils told us that not being able to see themselves in the content they learn, or encountering negative portrayals, can be disempowering and demotivating, a point supported by wider evidence.' But it sparked fears of woke teachers foisting their views on young kids in the classroom. Tory MP Nick Timothy said: 'Our schools should absolutely promote tolerance and mutual understanding. 'But we must be very careful to ensure this is not exploited by those who wish to promote divisive identity politics, teaching children to be ashamed of their country and its heritage. Ms Francis - an academic tasked by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson with carrying out the review - also suggested adapting the curriculum to teach kids about artificial intelligence. Her polling also showed parents wished their children had spent more time learning about finances and budgeting. Ms Phillipson said: "I welcome the important progress Becky Francis and her expert review are making to drive forward work to take the curriculum into the modern era and help deliver on the government's Plan for Change."
