A crowdfunding campaign launched in the name of the threatened Vernon Oak is set to distribute the children’s book The Lost Words to Sheffield schools and libraries. The book of spells and spelling looks at words from nature that are falling out of use and seeks to give them new life through writing and illustrations. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The £10.5 million University Centre Rotherham has opened its doors to students offering degrees and higher education qualifications accredited by Hull University and Sheffield Hallam University. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
The University of Sheffield call centre took 1400 calls within the first two hours of opening as students across the country received their 2018 A-level results. For some the results will confirm admission to their chosen course and university while others will to look to the clearing system in the hope of securing a university place. Sheffield Live spoke to Dr Christina Edgar, director of student recruitment at the University of Sheffield.
Hundreds joined a rally from the University of Sheffield to Barker’s Pool in support of university staff on strike in a row over proposed changes to their pension scheme. Lecturers, represented in the dispute by the University and College Union, say the changes could leave them thousands of pounds out of pocket. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
University staff on strike together with students and other supporters held a rally outside the University of Sheffield on Western bank in a protest over changes to staff pensions which would see many worse off after retirement. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Craig Brandist, president of Sheffield University branch of the University and Colleges Union.
Sheffield mental health charity Interchange is supporting proposals for mental health education to become part of the schools curriculum. Counsellor and education services manager at Interchange, Leah Booker, said education is needed in schools to increase awareness and understanding of mental health. She spoke to Sheffield Live! after a debate in Parliament to discuss whether mental health education should be a compulsory part of the curriculum. Over 100,000 signed a petition started by Adam Shaw of Sheffield supporting the idea. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Liesje Dusausay, chief executive of Sparkle Sheffield, the autism charity, has accused Sheffield Council of “abusing” children with special educational needs by failing to provide the right educational environment. Dusausay told Sheffield Live! that many children are still waiting confirmation of their school placements while others are so distressed at their current schools that they are self-harming. Sheffield Council released a statement last week admitting mistakes had been made which the authority said it “truly” regretted. Sheffield Live! reporter Simon Thake spoke with members of Sparkle and concerned parents.
Thousands of students across South Yorkshire have received their A-level results with Sheffield students celebrating another year of success. At Silverdale school 72 per cent of pupils got A* to B grades, an increase of 8 per cent compared to last year. A quarter of students achieved A or A* grades, and the results will help to send students to top universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and many Russell Group institutions. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
Campaigners gathered at the Old Heeley Bank school to support the People’s March for Education, a three day walk from Sheffield To Nothingham promoted by the National Union of Teachers. The NUT said the aim of the march is to highlight a “crisis” facing schools and the education system. According to the Union the Government has cut school funding by £2.2 billion since 2015 and plans to cut another £3 billion by 2020. The NUT claims ninety-nine per cent of schools will suffer funding cuts. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!
To celebrate World Book Day 2017, children from Concord Junior School came face-to-face with Oona the Elephant at Meadowhall shopping centre. Oona is the main character in Michael Morpurgo’s Running Wild which runs at the Lyceum Theatre later this month. It is the story of a boy who is saved from a tsunami by the elephant and who then has to survive in the jungle. The life sized elephant puppet is operated by four actors who took her on a stroll through the shopping centre before meeting the school children. The encounter is part of an ongoing partnership between Meadowhall and Sheffield Theatres to bring theatre and cultural education to children in the S9 neighbourhood. Simon Thake reports for Sheffield Live!