School closure plans ‘slap
in face for local people’
by Gary Skentelbery
THE row over controversial proposals to close Woolston High School is a “slap in the face for local people” according to Warrington North MP Helen Jones (pictured).
The MP launched a scathing attack on the LibDem/Tory controlled council saying:”I find it amazing that having been given nearly ?24 million through the Building Schools for the Future programme, with the promise of more money to rebuild or refurbish all local schools, that the LibDem and Tories are responding by closing a school down.
?This wastes the money that has already been invested in Woolston High which has provided, amongst other things, a new science and technology block, improvements to the Computing Design and Technology room, and an extension to the dining hall. It is also a slap in the face for local people. ?The way in which the council have undertaken this review and their refusal to look at other areas of the town has proved once again that they do not care about the north of Warrington.”
Meanwhile Poulton South local councillor Colin Froggatt claims that a proper consultation exercise has not taken place regarding the current Education Review which recommends the closure of the high school.
He said two local primary shools in Central and Eastern Warrington had not been asked whether they would like to partner with either Woolston or Padgate High, which are their nearest Secondary Schools.
This would give an extra potential of 90 extra pupils to the area.
Coun Maureen Banner Labour Spokesperson for Education is disappointed that consideration has not been given to keeping all the schools in the area open ,recognising that there are currently two schools in Warrington with even less pupils than either Woolston or Padagate.Both of which are are doing well.
The latest published documents show 670 pupils at Cardinal Newman RC High with 676 at Sir Thomas Boteler CE High. This compares favourably with the figures for Woolston,815 and Padgate High, 715.
“Nobody is suggesting that these two schools close,” she said.
“Under these circumstances and with higher school populations than Cardinal Newman and Sir Thomas Boteler,the Labour Group believe that it is possible to avoid any school closure whilst being able to deliver a good education for the people of Woolston and Padgate.
“If the ruling Liberals and Tories decide to accept the recommendations at Monday’s meeting, the Labour group will consider calling in the decision for further public scrutiny,” she added. Since warrington-worldwide highlighted the closure plans on Tuesday more than 200 people have signed an online petition.
Council leader Ian Marks and his deputy Keith Bland were invited to comment on the closure row but declined to make any comment until after Monday night’s meeting.
Anyone wishing to sign the petition to save the school can do so by following the link http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveWoolstonHigh
Drama takes to
world stage
by Mark Hemmings
DELEGATES from across the world converged on the University of Chester?s Warrington campus for a two-day convention exploring how drama is used in schools both at home and abroad.
Entitled ?Thinking Through Practice?, the event featured 65 representatives from across the Northwest, as well as practitioners from as far a field as Finland, Italy, Portugal, Japan and Palestine!
Organised by the University?s Faculty of Education and Children?s Services and the Department of Performing Arts, in collaboration with Arts Learning Consortium North West, the event examined how drama could invigorate learning and teaching.
As part of the ongoing relationship between the Warrington campus and the University of Bethlehem, the two days included an interactive drama performance, which was also staged, in schools and other venues across the North West. The production was designed to increase understanding of the Palestine-Israeli conflict.
The project was one of a number set up by the recently formed University of Chester Palestinian Project Group, which has been working to create a continuing stream of international links with institutions and organisations.
Professor Owens said: ?The performance allowed local discussion of the concepts of freedom, home, return and hope, and the event was a way of involving colleagues internationally, nationally and regionally in the conversation.?
Centenary set to
stage classic
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON-based theatre company, Centenary will present Jim Cartwright?s play ?The Rise and Fall of Little Voice? nightly at The Brindley in Runcorn from September 18-22 from 7.30pm.
This classic production made it to Hollywood, when Jane Horrocks, Ewan McGregor, Michael Caine and Brenda Blethyn took the story to the big screen in 1998.
This is the story of a painfully shy girl who takes comfort escaping the harsh world of her overbearing mother by enclosing herself in a world of music.
The peace she finds while playing her late father’s records is the only world she’s at home in.
She sings the songs to her father’s memory with an unbelievable ability to capture not just the voices of artists such as Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, and Marilyn Monroe but also the tone, the passion and the quality that made them legends.
A talent agent who sees fortune in her voice overhears this ability. He tries to rip her out of her private world and force her into the terrifying spotlight.
Now, nine years later this local award winning production company are presenting the story that will have the audience laughing, crying and singing along!
Transport seminar
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON?S transport professionals are to be put through their paces when The Freight Transport Association’s annual seminars come to the town on October 3.
Keeping transport workers up-to-date with the latest changes in regulations applying to lorries and their drivers, the event also gives updates on recent transport developments, which impact operations.
Subjects to be dealt with this year include driver licensing and the new Certificate of Professional Competence, which imposes new training obligations. Workplace transport safety; delivery access issues; the management of shifts – how to avoid driver fatigue; and engine technology will all also be up for discussion.
Attendance is open to members of FTA at ?299 plus VAT and to non-members at ?360 plus VAT.
Call the FTA Member Service Centre on 087178 112222 for registration.
Youngsters invited to
join awards project
by Marking Hemmings
YOUNG people in Warrington who are looking to develop new strengths and skills are being invited to find out more about the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme.
Warrington Youth Service’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award team is holding a meeting in The Gateway on Sankey Street, between 4.30pm-6.00pm on September 19 for any young people who would like to find out more about the project.
A whole host of activities are available, as well as the opportunity to undertake community work, volunteering, and new hobbies.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a prestigious accreditation programme that has been running successfully for the past 50 years.
By gaining a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, young people gain recognition for skills that they have developed that can help them increase employment opportunities.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt,Executive Board Member for Children?s Services says said: “The Duke of Edinburgh?s Award is a fantastic scheme for young people and it has really stood the test of time.
?It can open up new opportunities and career paths for many, so I fully support the scheme and urge all young people to join up.?
Further information can be found on the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website: www.theaward.org
To join, contact Sarah Tickle or Caroline Weston on 01925 443883.
Council seeks to help
pupils with special needs
by John Hendon
CHANGES are being proposed to the way pupils in Warrington with special and additional needs are supported.
Following a public consultation with schools, parents and governors, the council?s Executive Board will be considering a number of recommendations at its meeting on Monday.
Special Education Needs (SEN) provision in Warrington is already considered as good and in some cases, outstanding. The SEN review highlighted a number of areas where improvements could be made.
As a result of the SEN review, the local authority will now consider how to allocate funding for pupils with special needs, to best meet the needs of the widest group of children and young people.
If approved by the Executive Board, the recommendations will be implemented from April 2008.
