Latest news with #SueDuffy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Headteacher welcomes free school meal announcement
A headteacher has welcomed government plans to extend the free school meals scheme to include more children. From September 2026 all children in families receiving Universal Credit credit will be eligible regardless of their income, in a move expected to benefit more than 500,000 children. The government said the changes to free school meals would save parents £500 a year and "lift 100,000 children out of poverty". Joanna Baxendale, headteacher at Green Lane Primary School in Bradford, said: "Without free school meals, our children simply will not be able to access the curriculum, they won't be able to learn the maximum capacity, they wouldn't be able to reach their full potential." She added: "Our children come from a very deprived area and a high percentage of our children access free school meals. "We already supplement that with free breakfasts and things like that, because we recognise many of our children don't start the day with a breakfast, so they're already not ready to learn. "We all know if you've got an empty tummy, you can't concentrate. "As an adult you know that." Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said the change to the policy was a "fantastic outcome" for children and families in the district. She also encouraged families to check if they are eligible for the scheme so as not to miss out. "Free school meals offer multiple benefits to children's health, well-being, and education, as well as positive economic impacts for families," she said. "A nutritious lunch can improve children's concentration, learning, and overall academic performance, while saving families around £500 per child each year." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Free school meals to be extended to 500,000 more children Bradford Council
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bradford headteacher welcomes free school meal announcement
A headteacher has welcomed government plans to extend the free school meals scheme to include more September 2026 all children in families receiving Universal Credit credit will be eligible regardless of their income, in a move expected to benefit more than 500,000 government said the changes to free school meals would save parents £500 a year and "lift 100,000 children out of poverty".Joanna Baxendale, headteacher at Green Lane Primary School in Bradford, said: "Without free school meals, our children simply will not be able to access the curriculum, they won't be able to learn the maximum capacity, they wouldn't be able to reach their full potential." She added: "Our children come from a very deprived area and a high percentage of our children access free school meals."We already supplement that with free breakfasts and things like that, because we recognise many of our children don't start the day with a breakfast, so they're already not ready to learn. "We all know if you've got an empty tummy, you can't concentrate. "As an adult you know that." Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said the change to the policy was a "fantastic outcome" for children and families in the also encouraged families to check if they are eligible for the scheme so as not to miss out."Free school meals offer multiple benefits to children's health, well-being, and education, as well as positive economic impacts for families," she said."A nutritious lunch can improve children's concentration, learning, and overall academic performance, while saving families around £500 per child each year." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New locations for parents to register births
Parents in parts of Bradford can now register their child's birth closer to home as part of a year-long trial. Three family hubs in Reevy Hill, Barkerend and Farcliffe are offering appointments one day each week which must be booked in advance. Bradford Council said it hoped parents who opted to register a birth would learn more about other support the hubs can offer families. Parents can still register their child's birth in the usual way at Bradford City Hall or Keighley Town Hall. The first event took place on Tuesday at Reevy Hill Family Hub, where nine babies were registered. Appointments are also available on Wednesdays at Barkerend Family Hub and on Thursdays at Farcliffe Family Hub. Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said registration was an "important milestone in every new baby's life". Duffy said expanding the registration service would offer more choice. She said she hoped families would take the opportunity to visit the hubs and find out about the "fantastic programme of free support and activities available to them as they welcome their new baby into the world". The hubs offer a range of services including baby feeding support, maternity circles and baby weighing clinics, alongside family events and activities. The council said the trial would run until 2026 to enable them to gather feedback from parents, analyse usage and develop a plan for the future. Families who wish to register their baby's birth at a family hub should use the usual birth registration booking system on Bradford Council's website. Parents are required by law to register a child's birth within 42 days. Registration is free but a charge of £12.50 is made for a birth certificate. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Bradford Council Family Hubs
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bradford parents offered new locations to register births
Parents in parts of Bradford can now register their child's birth closer to home as part of a year-long family hubs in Reevy Hill, Barkerend and Farcliffe are offering appointments one day each week which must be booked in Council said it hoped parents who opted to register a birth would learn more about other support the hubs can offer can still register their child's birth in the usual way at Bradford City Hall or Keighley Town Hall. The first event took place on Tuesday at Reevy Hill Family Hub, where nine babies were are also available on Wednesdays at Barkerend Family Hub and on Thursdays at Farcliffe Family Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said registration was an "important milestone in every new baby's life". Legal requirement Duffy said expanding the registration service would offer more said she hoped families would take the opportunity to visit the hubs and find out about the "fantastic programme of free support and activities available to them as they welcome their new baby into the world".The hubs offer a range of services including baby feeding support, maternity circles and baby weighing clinics, alongside family events and council said the trial would run until 2026 to enable them to gather feedback from parents, analyse usage and develop a plan for the who wish to register their baby's birth at a family hub should use the usual birth registration booking system on Bradford Council's are required by law to register a child's birth within 42 is free but a charge of £12.50 is made for a birth certificate. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Majority of Bradford families offered preferred school places
Almost all families in Bradford have been offered a place at one of their preferred primary schools. On National Offer Day, Bradford Council informed thousands of families about their children's reception place for September. More than 99 per cent of children have secured a spot at one of their top five preferred schools, with more than 95 per cent of children offered a place at their first-choice school. Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said: "I'm really pleased that almost all families who applied for a primary school place for September have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools. "Starting primary school for the first time is a major milestone for every child. "With more than 95 per cent of families being offered their first preference, this is great news for families in Bradford district." She acknowledged that a few families may not have received the news they hoped for and assured them that the admissions team is ready to assist with any queries. More details about contacting the team can be found on the Bradford Council website. Families could log into their online accounts from midnight to find out which school their child would be attending. Those who applied online received emails from 9am, confirming the outcome and providing additional information. Parents and carers who did not apply online were sent letters by first-class post. Additionally, parents who applied online but opted not to receive an email have also been sent letters. Parents expecting letters have been asked not to contact the admissions team before Wednesday, April 23, to allow time for their letters to arrive. Allocations will not be disclosed over the phone.
