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Schools in
Southport get chance to implement inspirational changes
IN a new nationwide
competition pupils and teachers in Southport are being asked to come
up with inspiring ideas to improve their school. The prize for
winning schools is funding to help turn these ideas into reality.
The competition, called:- ‘The School We'd Like’, is being
organised by the leading insurer of schools, Zurich Municipal, and
The Guardian Teacher Network. It is designed to encourage students
and teachers to work together and develop one key idea that will
improve quality of life in their school now.
It is open to all schools across Great Britain, and will be judged
in three categories: Primary schools, Secondary schools and Special
schools. The prize; £5,000 for the winning school in each category;
could make a big difference at a time when school budgets are more
squeezed than ever before.
There are no barriers to the kinds of changes schools can suggest,
but they should have a positive impact on school life. For one
school this might mean new sports facilities to help find gold
medallists of the future, or more books in the library. For others,
the idea could be a chef-designed school breakfast menu, or an
anti-bullying campaign.
Inspiration can come from anywhere and ultimately, it is up to the
school community to choose the idea that would mean the most for
their own school.
Paul Tombs, Head of Education at Zurich Municipal, said:- “We
know that teachers and pupils have some fantastic ideas about how to
make their schools a better place in which to work and learn.
However today’s education environment is undergoing significant
change and not all schools have sufficient funds to make the kinds
of changes they’d like.
As well as innovative and inspirational ideas, our panel of judges
will be looking for evidence that pupils have benefited from
entering the awards, learning important skills like project
management and collaborative working.”
Wendy Berliner, Head of Education for Guardian Professional, said:-
"We never cease to be impressed here with the good practice
suggestions that are shared each day by our teacher members. We know
that when teachers combine with their students to come up with ideas
to make their schools even better, we are going to see some amazing
ideas. We can't wait to see what they come up with!".
Regional semi-finals will be held in February 2013, with finalists
asked to present to a panel of judges in March 2013. The closing
date for entries is Monday 17 December 2012.
For terms and conditions, entry details and criteria, visit the
Guardian Teacher Network by clicking on
here. |
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Consultation
over Citizens Support Scheme
LIVERPOOL City Council is asking for views on
proposals for a new scheme to replace crisis loans and community
care grants. The Government is transferring the responsibility
for what is currently known as the ‘Discretionary Social Fund’
from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to local authorities
from April 2013. It will be known as the Liverpool Citizens Support
Scheme.
The city council will be putting in place arrangements to assist
people with essential living costs in a crisis or to help them with
the costs of setting up or maintaining their home. These will
replace the arrangements that currently are provided by DWP Crisis
Loans and Community Care Grants.
As with the existing scheme help will only available in certain
circumstances, based on as assessment of need, income and savings.
Where possible the city council is proposing to make awards in the
form of goods or services rather than cash.
In 2010/11 there were a total of 52,000 applications; 40,000 for
crisis loans and 11,500 for community care grants and around £6.2
million was allocated.
The new scheme will be cash limited as the amount of money given to
the city council by the Government will be substantially less,
totalling around £3.5 million. The council is asking for
people’s views on how it administers the new scheme, including the
eligibility criteria, how funds are awarded and the review/appeal
mechanism.
Under the draft policy, the city council is proposing that those
eligible are aged over 16 and will include families under
exceptional pressure, homeless people/rough sleepers, people fleeing
domestic violence and those who are chronically or terminally ill.
Awards will be made for people including those needing food,
heating, essential furniture and redecoration.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet member for Finance, Councillor Paul Brant,
said:- “The Government is significantly cutting the amount of
money available to us for people who are in crisis.
We want to make sure that it is a fair system which enables us to
help the people who need support the most.
We are consulting to find out people’s views and make sure we take
this in to account when bringing forward final proposals.”
A copy of the draft policy and a consultation questionnaire can be
found at:-
liverpool.gov.uk/lcss and
is open until 9 November 2012.They are also available from all of the
City’s libraries and One
Stop Shops and by calling Liverpool Direct on:- 0151 233 3009.
The Council is also currently consulting on options for the new
Council Tax Support scheme which is the replacement for Council tax
benefit. It can be found at:-
liverpool.gov.uk/cts. |
