School population to
plunge by 11 per cent
by David Skentelbery
THE number of secondary school pupils at Warrington is set to plummet by 11 per cent over the next 10 years.
A fall of 1,470 pupils is forecast from 12,744 last January to 11,817 by January 2013 and a further 544 to 11,274 by January 2017.
Against the background of such a dramatic decline in the pupil population, borough council education chiefs are carrying out a review of second school provision across the borough.
A range of options will be considered to reduce the number of places ? including the building of a new ?18 million school to replace one of the older, outdated schools ? probably either Woolston or Padgate.
The projected fall in numbers is especially pronounced in eastern and central Warrington, where a number of schools already have surplus places.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt (pictured) the council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: “We have very good schools achieving excellent results. The review aims to ensure that we maintain those standards now and for future generations. The new school building will help us to achieve that and is excellent news for the borough.
“Falling rolls will jeopardise these achievements because it will not be possible to deliver a full and broad curriculum. Schools are funded according to the number of pupils on roll, so if the roll falls and continues to do so, the overall funding of any one school is seriously affected. The government has told us that keeping large numbers of vacant places in schools is not an option.” The fall in pupil numbers is part of a national trend, which has seen fewer couples starting families and having fewer children than in the past.
Coun Woodyatt said: “It is vital that people make their views known in the current consultation programme.
No decision will be made until the views of all those affected by the review are fully considered.”
Hire company lands
two top awards
WARRINGTON-based hire company A-Plant won two top prizes at the National Business Awards North West Regional Finals in Manchester.
The company – which hires out plant, tools and specialist equipment to customers nationwide – was declared winner of both the Customer Focus Award and the HSE Health and Safety Award.
Described by Chancellor Gordon Brown as the UK’s “Business Oscars”, The National Business Awards are the highest accolade that British businesses can aspire to.
They are designed to illustrate that companies have a world-class business, in terms of best practice and operational values.
Judges included representatives from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Institute of Customer Service and the Institute of Directors.
The Customer Focus Award was made to the organisation that best demonstrated that it had the customer at the heart of its business while in the HSE Health and Safety Award, entrants had to prove a good health and safety record and demonstrate that health and safety is an integral part of management processes.
A-Plant – which has over 2,000 employees nationwide, depots across the country and its head office based in Birchwood Park, Warrington – was also declared a finalist in an unprecedented three other categories – the City and Guilds Employer of the Year Award, The Award for Business Improvement Through People and The Orange Best Use of Technology in Business Award.
Chief executive officer Sat Dhaiwal said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the Customer Focus and HSE Health and Safety Awards which are rigorously judged by pre-eminent business experts. Over the last 12 months, we’ve made some fantastic progress in creating a ‘Customer First Culture’ and we’ve really focused on extending our Health and Safety responsibilities to customers, suppliers and our employees by introducing an extensive site safety pack which has been applauded throughout the industry. It’s excellent news that the advances we’ve made have been recognised.”
A-Plant is now automatically entered into the National Business Awards Final in London in November.
Peace Centre tribute
to Mo Mowlem
by Lesley Wilkinson
THE late Mo Mowlem, who helped set up Warrington’s Peace Centre, is to be honoured by The Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Trust.
At a special ceremony on August 25 a lounge at the Peace Centre is to be re-named “The Mo Mowlam Lounge” in her honour. Guests at the ceremony will enjoy lunch and a tour of the centre.
Trustee Wendy Parry said: “Mo did so much in our early days to help Colin and I to find not only the finances but also the will to pursue our dream of building a dedicated and unique centre for young people everywhere who are at risk of violent conflict.
“Mo shared our belief that such a centre was vitally important in today’s dangerous world, in helping improve the lives of such young people. She shared the belief that this was the most appropriate legacy for Tim and Johnathan to leave behind in their memory.?
Mo’s husband Jon Norton will be chief guest and will perform the opening ceremony of the refurbished room.
Labour name Poulton
by-election candidate
by John Hendon
LABOUR have named their candidate for the by-election for the Poulton North seat on Warrington Borough Council caused by the death of long-standing councillor Albert Clemow.
He is Kevin Bennett, aged 50, a production manager with a local engineering company.
Married, with two young children, he lists his main interest outside of politics as listening to music.
Mr Bennett is already out and about, talking to local people and says he is in no doubt about the issues which are the talk of the area.
He said: “The Lib Dem/Tory threat to close local schools is the major issue for local people. Hundreds of people have signed the Labour Party petition to date.
“That’s why I have today challenged local Lib Dem councillors to join me in fighting the closure plans.”
“In just two short months, the Lib Dem and Tory coalition are threatening local schools with closure, have introduced travel charges for post 16 students and have created anger and frustration with the ‘flat lid’ bin policy leaving hundreds of bins uncollected.”
Youngsters warm up
for soccer tournament
by staff reporter
YOUNG people from across Warrington are joining others from 16 local authorities across the North West to take part in the annual regional Leaving Care football tournament.
The sporting challenge, which has seen Warrington youngsters take home the winning trophy more than once, takes place tomorrow (Thursday) in Liverpool and will see teams of young people come together for a day of five-a-side football, refereed by official FA referees.
Warrington youngsters are today meeting pre-match at Victoria Park, Warrington, to train and try out their new kit, sponsored by Warrington’s Leaving Care Team.
Coun Shelia Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive for Children’s Services, is delighted to support the involvement of young people in social events such as this.
She said: “This event is part of the ongoing commitment by Children’s Services to improve opportunities and outcomes for all children and young people as part of ‘Every Child Matters? in Warrington.
“Sporting opportunities such as this offer more than simple entertainment. The young people involved have experienced the opportunity to develop their inter-personal skills, build confidence, get fit and of course have fun”.
Teenagers suffering
more emotionally
by Lesley Wilkinson
YOUNGSTERS are increasingly suffering from poor mental health such as behavioural problems, anxiety and depression, according to a Warrington-based charity.
They say youngsters from all social backgrounds and all types of families have been affected by a nationwide increase in teenagers’ behavioural and emotional problems in the past 25 ye
ars.
Research into the problem has been carried out among 15 and 16-year-olds since 1974 by the University of Manchester and London’s King’s College.
Marissa Hankinson of The Relationships Centre, a charity that helps support families and young people, said: “Emotional difficulties have increased significantly since the mid 1980s while behavioural problems more than doubled for boys and increased by a third for girls over the 25-year period.”
To help, the charity has developed a “What’s Up Senior” range of resources to address teenagers’ emotions. It offers help for young people in coping with their emotional problems and offers action plans for dealing with issues.
It covers a range of emotions including anger, sadness, self-blame and loneliness, and is available from the centre at a cost of ?44.99. Full details and a sample of the guide are available from the charity on 01925 246925.
