Category: News

Community News, News, Politics

MP warns closure will lead to Wythenshawe school places squeeze

SaveNewall

Wythenshawe  MP  Mike Kane is calling on the government to reverse the controversial plans to close Newall Green High School.

The Shadow School’s Minister has told Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, he opposes the DfE decision to shut the school saying it could lead to a shortage of school places.

In a letter to the DfE boss he said: “Manchester City Council’s place planning shows the secondary school population in south Manchester will increase in the next two to three years. With the school closing, how will the DfE ensure the area has enough school places for our community’s children in the years ahead?”

Parents were told earlier this month that the DfE will close the academy school because of falling numbers.

A petition to save the school has been launched, signed by more than 650 people and students staged a protest calling on the decision to be reversed.

The school had been put in special measures following an OFSTED inspection, but in its latest monitoring report, inspectors said the school had made improvements.

Mike Kane was involved in establishing a Wythenshawe Education Board with the Regional Schools Commissioner, Vicky Beer.

All four Wythenshawe high schools are on board, aiming to raise standards and give a ‘good offer’ for schools in the town. The schools board aims combat o raise OFSTED.

The MP says  he is very disappointed the school is being closed while we’re in the middle of this project.

 

In his letter to education bosses, Mr Kane has also asked: “How did this once desirable and popular school end up being so under-subscribed that it is no longer financially viable to remain open?

“When the school closes and the land returns to the Department for Education, what will become of the buildings and large open spaces?”

The Department for Education has been approached by the Wythenshawe Reporter for a comment.

Community News, News, Politics

Save Newall Green High School

The Wythenshawe Reporter is backing a campaign by parents, students and councillors to save Newall Green High School, earmarked for closure by the Government.

Parents were told this week that the Department for Education will close the school because of falling numbers.

A petition to save the school has been launched and students staged a protest calling on the decision to be reversed.

newall green school

And today, Manchester City Council’s executive committee pledged to fight the DfE’s decision.

The council’s deputy leader and Wythenshawe councillor, Sue Murphy tweeted: “We need to oppose the closure. Potentially devastating for young people in school there.”

Baguley councillor,  Tracey Rawlins led the calls for the council to fight the closure.

Dawn Fairweather, who started the petition which has already attracted nearly 400 signatures, says the closure will impact on other schools in Wythenshawe, by increasing class sizes and piling more pressure on teachers.

She said: “This is not acceptable for children in the Wythenshawe area who through no fault of their own may not get the education they rightfully deserve which could affect their future employment prospects.

“This could also mean that children have to travel further to and from school and cost more money that some parents do not have.Please sign this petition to stop the closure of this school.

“The education minister and Prime minister need to know that the people in Wythenshawe will do their upmost to stop the closure of this school.”

Sign the petition here.

Newall Green School was put in special measures following an inspection by the schools watchdog, OFSTED.

But following the school’s latest monitoring visit in November last year, inspectors said there had been improvements in their report.

Inspector, David Selby said: “Leaders and managers are taking effective action towards the removal of special measures.”

The report summarised the strengths in the school’s approaches to securing improvement as:

  • Leaders have continued to develop the wider opportunities that the school offers
    to pupils. These opportunities often involve local businesses.
  • Leaders have continued their careful focus on the urgent priorities identified at
    the previous inspection. However, they have now started to widen their view and
    to identify and enhance aspects of the school that were already working well.
  • Leaders are seeking ways for pupils to be more involved in their school. Leaders
    intend to find out more about what pupils think of the school. Staff have just
    introduced a prefect system and they intend that a pupil council will soon be reestablished.
  • The reducing role of the executive principal in supporting other leaders has
    allowed leaders within the school to become increasingly more confident and self reliant.

And the weakness was summarised as:

  • Despite the improvement in the school and the increasing number of things that
    pupils can be proud of, some pupils lack pride in what the school offers them and
    is achieving.

 

News

Wythenshawe police investigating attempted rape


Detectives are appealing for witnesses after an attempted rape in Wythenshawe.
Shortly after 8:30pm on Wednesday 9 October 2019, police were called to Simonsway, to reports of an attempted rape on a 43-year-old woman.
Officers responded and the victim is now being provided with support from specially trained officers.
Further enquiries have since established that the incident took place in Hatchett Woods on Simonsway, close to the junction with Ruddpark Road, at around 8.20 pm.
The suspect is described as a white male, of skinny build, who was wearing a grey hoody and black pants.
Detectives are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area between 8pm and 9pm and has information that may be able to assist the investigation.
They are particularly interested to speak with any potential witnesses or anyone who has dash cam footage or CCTV footage of the area during this time.
Detective Inspector John Robb, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “We have launched an investigation following the attempted rape of a 43-year-old woman in Hatchett Woods, Wythenshawe.
“We believe this to be an isolated incident at this stage, but we aware that this will understandably cause some concern in the community. I want to take this opportunity to reassure local residents that we are treating this as a priority.
“Although we are making good progress with our enquiries, I must stress that we are in the early stages of the investigation and we would urge people to pass on any information, no matter how small, so that we can progress this investigation further.”
Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 6018, quoting incident number 3094 of 09/10/19, or the independent

“Although we are making good progress with our enquiries, I must stress that we are in the early stages of the investigation and we would urge people to pass on any information, no matter how small, so that we can progress this investigation further.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 6018, quoting incident number 3094 of 09/10/19.

Crime, News

Travel disruption caused by suspect package at Manchester Airport coach station

2643922800_962838c834_z-e1539845490898793143050513031791.jpg

A controlled explosion has been carried out at Manchester Airport’s transport interchange after a suspicious package was discovered.

Officers from the Bomb Disposal Squad carried out the explosion as a precaution and are assisting Greater Manchester Police with inquiries.

Police say a man has been detained at the scene and a cordon was been put in place while inquiries  are carried out.

Trams trains and buses were suspended to and from the interchange, but the majority of road closures have been lifted and the area is returning to normality.

A small cordon remains in place on the ground floor of the coach station as investigations continue.

News, Politics

Brexit: Wythenshawe MP, Mike Kane condemns Parliament shutdown

wp-1478947269179.jpegWythenshawe MP Mike Kane has condemned Boris Johnson’s shutdown of Parliament as “an affront to our democratic principles”.

Earlier this week, Wythenshawe church leader, Dave Warnock, urged the Labour MP to share his views on what he calls a “democratic crisis” following the decision by Prime Minister Boris Johnson to prorogue (suspend) parliament, seen by many as an attempt to prevent MPs from blocking a no-deal departure from the European Union.

And in a statement to the Wythenshawe Reporter, Mr Kane today condemned Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament.

The Labour MP said: “Given the situation facing our country as we approach the Brexit deadline of 31 October, and the impact it could have on people’s jobs and living standards, I believe it is deeply concerning to suspend Parliament and I am opposed to it.

“The Labour Party and Parliament must do everything we can, working on a cross party basis to block a No Deal Brexit. I cannot sit back and allow the Prime Minister to drag us out of the EU without a Withdrawal Agreement because we have seen the potential economic consequences for the country.

“I believe we’re at the stage in our history where party advantage must be put to one side, we must look at the long-term interest of our country.

“Prorogation at this time is an affront to our democratic principles. Long prorogations raise fundamental questions about whether the Government of the day commands the confidence of a majority of MPs and whether it can legitimately govern.

“Finally, I want to reiterate my opposition to a No Deal Brexit. Businesses, trade unions and the Government’s own analysis have warned about the disruption No Deal would result in and the damage it would do to our economy. I am committed to working across Parliament, to do whatever is necessary to stop it happening.”

Mr Kane has previously voted against No Deal in Parliament and abstained on proposals for a second referendum and to cancel Brexit.

What does proroguing parliament mean?

A Parliament lasts for the time between general elections – supposedly five – but it is divided into sessions, usually lasting about a year. The current session has lasted 26 months.

At the end of a session, a Prime Minister formally advises the Queen to prorogue  Parliament, usually for a few days, after which a new session will begin with a state opening of Parliament and a Queen’s Speech which will outline the laws the Government intends to introduce. During the suspension the Government can continue to do its job, but MPs cannot debate in Parliament, pass laws or scrutinise what the Government and Prime Minister is doing.

Proroguing  Parliament is different to recess, when the session continues but MPs do not attend the House of Commons, usually during the summer and when the parties take part in their conferences.

Proroguing Parliament is a power exercised by the PM, officially held by the Queen. MPs have no say in the matter. MPs do have a say in whether a recess can take place, and there was speculation that Parliament would vote against a recess for the upcoming party conferences so that MPs could debate Brexit ahead of the UK’s scheduled departure from the EU on October 31.

MPs from all parties have condemned the suspension, some calling it a coup and some an attack on parliamentary democracy.

The move has sparked demonstrations across the country,  a legal challenge and a petition signed by 1.6 million nationwide so far, including 2,331 people in Wythenshawe and Sale East. A protest is planned for Monday at 6.30 at the Peterloo Memorial in Manchester.

Cabinet minister Michael Gove, who had previously opposed prorgation said the suspension,  was “certainly not” a political move to obstruct opposition to the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

The Leader of the House of Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg said this parliamentary session had been one of the longest in almost 400 years, so it was right to suspend it and start a new session.

Ruth Fox – director of parliamentary experts the Hansard Society – said this prorogation was “significantly longer than we would normally have” for the purpose of starting a new parliamentary session.

Ms Fox said that depending on the day the suspension began – and on whether MPs would have voted to have a party conference recess at all – the prorogation could “potentially halve” the number of days MPs have to scrutinise the government’s Brexit position.