Education news: huge boost to school funding

Posted by Now Cardiff on Oct 4, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, Cllr Julia Magill has welcomed the Welsh Government’s announcement to invest millions in the 21st Century Schools programme in 2013-14 which will contribute £1.75m towards developing secondary education in the East of the city.

The funding of £1.75m has been allocated to Cardiff as part of the project to develop of a secondary school in the East of the city and comes on the back of the Council’s recent decision to consult on establishing the first Education Improvement Partnership (EIP) in Wales in the area to drive up standards.

Cllr Magill said, “I am absolutely thrilled that this extra investment will be directed towards such an important project, and will support us in providing a high quality learning environment for future generations of children in the east of Cardiff. The 21st Century Schools Programme is a chance for us to take another stride forward towards improving education standards for children and young people, while offering them the best possible opportunities.”

The Council’s own consultation is already underway on the establishment of the EIP in the east, which will cover the schools’ catchment areas there and will be made up of representatives from the school, local authority, and the community as well as key partners.

The focus is on improving quality in leadership, teaching and learning with clear emphasis on addressing the causes of under performance, so that pupils have the best possible chances to achieve their potential.

Cllr Magill said: “Work has to begin now to raise school standards and performance, including improvements in attendance and ethos, for young people in the area.  Previous plans to address the issues in the east have all fallen by the wayside but the time to act is now, which is why this additional funding is so important to help us to move forward with plans to establish an EIP and build a brand new, modern high school, with provision for academic and vocational courses for students over 16.

“This is great news; this type of investment is going to make a real difference to the lives of many pupils.”

CARDIFF NEWS: Education Improvement Partnership to boost standards

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 13, 2012

Plans to establish the first Education Improvement Partnership in Wales to transform life chances for pupils, and address concerns about standards of education are to be discussed by Cardiff Council’s Cabinet.

The EIP, which will cover the city’s east schools’ catchment areas and will be made up of representatives from the school, local authority, the community as well as key partners, will focus on improving quality in leadership, teaching and learning with clear emphasis on addressing the causes of under performance, so that pupils have the best possible chances to achieve their potential.

The model, which is being introduced first in the area where there is most need, could be used as a blueprint for improvements across the city.

Proposals to deliver a new secondary school in the east will also be considered by the Cabinet, which will be determined after a full public consultation. The previous suggestion to build on the site of the Eastern Leisure Centre has been ruled out by the Cabinet and will not be an option.

Cabinet Member for Education, Lifelong Learning and Libraries Cllr Julia Magill said: “It’s crucial that education standards in the east of the city are addressed and raised without further delay. Both schools have dedicated staff and Governing Bodies who have worked hard, however, there is a real need for a fresh approach which must begin at the earliest opportunity to ensure we are helping pupils achieve their full potential.

“Previous plans to address the issues in the east have all fallen by the wayside but the time to act is now and we cannot wait until we build a new school to start the process of turning these schools around which is why we need an Education Improvement Partnership which will involve representatives from the schools, the community and other key organisations to work together to start making a real difference.”

Previous proposals to build a new school in the east of the city have so far failed leaving two schools with falling rolls in poor accommodation and while a long term approach to establish a brand new school on a suitable site, with both academic and vocational provision for over 16s has already begun, there is a need for immediate action to raise school standards and performance in the east of the city, before this new school is built. The previous suggestion to build on the site of the Eastern Leisure Centre has been ruled out by the Cabinet and will not be an option.

An EIP would enable the Council to tackle the causes of educational under-performance and place resources and decision making at the heart of the community in the east of the city in order to ensure students have every opportunity to achieve the best of their potential.

It is planned that the EIP will gradually transfer pupils from poor accommodation in Llanrumney High School to Rumney High School. If the Cabinet agrees with the proposals a full public consultation will take place which will help and inform the plans as they move forward.

Cllr Magill continued: “We want to work with schools, parents and other professionals and also the wider community to develop sustainable long-term arrangements for schools in the east of the city. It is important that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their potential, supported by the right environment and culture.”

Teen wing sensation Robinson signs for Blues

Posted by Now Cardiff on Sep 2, 2012

Cardiff Blues have confirmed that teenage winger Harry Robinson has signed a senior contract with the region.

Robinson, 19, impressed Welsh selectors and was called up to the Wales 35 man senior squad for the training camp in Poland prior to the 2012 Six Nations Championship. He made a try-scoring debut for his country in June, in the test against the Barbarians.

In 2010/11 he won the Cardiff Blues Academy Player of the Year Award having had an outstanding season and became the youngest ever player to represent the Cardiff Blues, when, aged 17 years and nine months, he lined up against the Ospreys in the LV= Cup.

Speaking of the signing Robinson said,

“I’m really pleased to get to stick around for a few years.”

“It was an easy decision to make and I took the offer with both hands.”

“This is the best rugby environment for me to be in and I’ve got a good group of friends here also, so I’m excited to be here.”

“It does feel like a fresh start with Phil coming in and all the boys who are here feel it’s a good environment to be in.”

“It was a bit of whirlwind last season for me but things have sunk in now but now it’s a new season and I’m just putting my head down and working hard.”

“My ambition is to establish myself in the Blues team but competition is going to be tough with the quality back three players we have in the squad at the moment.”

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Britax Baby Safe Infant Carrier recall

Posted by Now Cardiff on Apr 18, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Trading Standards is warning owners of certain Britax Baby-Safe infant carriers that were purchased between 1st February & 31st March 2012 about a voluntary recall due to a quality issue.

The reason for the recall is that the handle of a number of the infant carriers could be damaged or, in adverse circumstances, detach, if sudden force is applied to it. This may cause the infant carrier to swing, to separate, to fall to the ground or to arrive in other unsafe situations when carrying the product and can pose a risk of injury to the occupying child especially if the child is – against the user instructions – not harnessed. The defect may not be recognised by the consumers instantly.

Cardiff Council’s head of Regulatory and Supporting Services, Dave Holland, said: “Cardiff Council takes the issue of child safety very seriously. We ask consumers in possession of these particular infant carriers to stop using them with immediate effect and contact the manufacturer.”

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Dreams come true at the Cardiff big weekend

Posted by Now Cardiff on Jul 18, 2011

In the words of the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend Saturday headliner, Gabrielle, dreams can come true, especially for Big Gig Winner Ffred Jones.

The Big Gig competition gave local unsigned acts the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend and play in front of thousands in the heart of the capital.

Singer songwriter FFred Jones from Newport was crowned the Big Gig Winner on Thursday, July 14 at The Globe music venue following a three day battle of the bands.

Ffred has already appeared on BBC Introducing and 6 Music. Using unusual instrumentation, his great voice and beautiful songs have a haunting quality reminiscent of a 21st Century Nick Drake. On his win last night, Ffred, said: “So stoked, it’s outrageous. I was so nervous before going on, and I’m never nervous. I didn’t think I had a chance, I mean to get through the first round was unreal, but to win? It’s mind blowing.”

The Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend takes place on the 5 to the 7 of August and features three nights of free live music. On Friday in conjunction with the SWN festival the cream of the Welsh crop will perform with Welsh rockers Funeral for a Friend taking to the stage as headliners.

Saturday’s festivities start with the annual Cardiff Mas Carnival and end with multi platinum selling Gabrielle singing new and classic hits.

On Sunday Ffred will kick-start the night and perform in front of thousands. Sunday’s headliners are The Feeling who will bring their feel good music to the Civic Centre.

Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Cllr Nigel Howells, said: “Congratulations to Ffred  for winning the Big Gig, I am delighted the inaugural Big Gig competition has captured the attention of so many great new bands and their fans. I hope the performance at the Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend will help him onto the road to success and hopefully he will come back and perform as headliner for the Big Weekend.

“I am also pleased to see Funeral for a Friend and Gabrielle join the already impressive Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend line up. It’s fantastic to see home-grown talent and Brit award winners taking centre stage at one of Wales’ favourite free live music events.”

The confirmed acts for this year’s Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend are:
Friday August 5
Death Before Sunrise
OK
Attack Attack!
Funeral For a Friend

Saturday August 6

Zong Zing
Dom Duff
Jazz Jamaica with Special Guest Myrna Hague
Hayley Scarlett
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble
Vintage Trouble
Gabrielle

Sunday 7th August
Ffred Jones
Edei
King Charles
Friends Electric
Dodgy
Nerina Pallot
The Feeling