Alice Aguiar's father Sergio steps up marathon preparation in memory of Alice

THE family of Alice da Silva Aguiar have released a new video of her father Sergio in training for the London Marathon.

9 year old Alice Aguiar, was 1 of the 3 girls killed in a mass stabbing, in Southport, at a at a Taylor Swift themed yoga and dance workshop, on:- 29 July 2024. The horrific attack at the Hart Space centre, also claimed the lives of:- 6 year old Bebe King, and 7 year old Elsie Dot Stancombe.

Sergio is running the marathon alongside Jinnie Payne, Head Teacher, at Churchtown Primary where Alice attended, and other staff from the School and the wider Endeavour Learning Trust.

With less than 2 months to go they are asking for help! They are both running the marathon to raise funds for a new playground at Churchtown, with the aim of raising:- £250,000. Over:- £123,000 has already been raised, but more money is still required.

The new playground, which was suggested by Alice's parents, will be commemorated in Alice and Bebe's memory. It will contain a dedicated performance space, a new indoor and outdoor library where pupils and their families can come together, and a trim trail track.

Plans also feature enhancements to the early years' playground, including:- a den-building area to inspire creativity and adventure.

Sergio Aguiar commented:- "We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community so far, not to mention the support across the country. Our serious training is ramping up now, and we're determined to get this done, and make the new Churchtown playground a reality."

Jinnie Payne, Headteacher at Churchtown Primary School, said:- "For the last 9 months, Sergio and Alex's strength and dignity have been inspiring me, and I'm so proud to be running alongside Sergio in the London Marathon next month. The amount we have raised so far is phenomenal, but we still have a long way to go. We want to see the new playground as a lasting monument to the joy that Alice and Bebe brought to our school, as well as a living, breathing testament to their amazing personalities."

The Go Fund Me page for the Churchtown playground can be seen, and money donated, online at:- GoFundMe.Com.

Hugh Baird College Ranked No. 1 Further Education College in the Country for Tech Level 3 Progress

HUGH Baird College is officially the top further education college in England for student progress in Tech Level 3 subjects.

Newly released figures from the Department for Education show that Tech Level 3 learners at the College achieved a:- 'well above average' progress score of 1.28, placing them at the top of the national league table for further education providers. The results also place the College among the top 5% of all schools and colleges in England for student progress.

Progress is a 'value-added' accountability measure that shows how well students have developed when compared with others nationally who had similar levels of educational attainment at Key Stage 4, which incorporates GCSEs. A score above zero means students made more progress than learners with similar Key Stage 4 results, while a negative score means they made less progress.

Tech Levels are advanced technical qualifications, equivalent to A-levels, designed for students aiming to specialise in a specific industry or prepare for a particular career. These qualifications are recognised by employers and provide a strong foundation for future success.

This achievement builds on the College's recent recognition as:- 1 of only 3 further education colleges in the entire North West that hold an outstanding Ofsted grade. Other recent successes include ranking in England's top 5% of further education providers for apprentice success, a 99% A-level pass rate, and 100% pass rates in many vocational subjects.

In its recent inspection report, Ofsted praised the College's exceptional teaching, ambitious curriculum, and outstanding student support, stating:- "Students rapidly develop their confidence, resilience, and independence because of highly effective teaching, extensive support, and participation in life-enhancing experiences. The College provides highly valuable opportunities for students to broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations. Teachers use their passion for the subject and their extensive vocational expertise to make learning enjoyable and highly relevant to what students want to do next."

Rachael Hennigan, Hugh Baird College Principal and Chief Executive, said:- "These performance results reflect the hard work, dedication, and passion of our entire college community — our staff and students. Despite a significant proportion of our students coming from the top 1% of the most deprived areas nationwide, we are continually inspired by their unwavering commitment, determination, and passion as they transform their starting points into remarkable achievements. At Hugh Baird College, we are driven by the belief that our community deserves nothing less than the very best. That's why we remain committed to raising aspirations, transforming lives, and delivering an education that empowers every learner to succeed."