
12 minute read
SCHOOL LIFE
School Streets are here to stay
by Jeremy Morton
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School Streets, which limit motor vehicle access around the start and end of the school day, have been approved to be made permanent at three primary schools in South Leeds.
Clapgate Primary in Belle Isle, and Lane End in Beeston and Ingram Road in Holbeck were part of the first phase of trial School Streets.
The trial, and the associated Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTROs) expired on 1 December.
A review of the scheme concluded that these and two others across the city should be made permanent.
The TTROs temporarily restrict access to streets outside of schools during the morning drop off and afternoon pick up times, with exemptions for permit holders, deliveries and blue badge holders.
The School Streets were initially introduced to support Clapgate Primary’s School Street. Photo: Lizzie Coombs
social distancing outside of schools, whilst also improving air quality, congestion and encouraging increased adoption of sustainable travel modes.
The review surveyed staff, parents and local residents and local at issues such as compliance and displaced parking issues.
Hugh Gaitskell and Middleton St Mary’s Primary Schools joined the trial in Phase 2 which runs until 7 March 2022.
A full evaluation of both phases and recommendations for extending the scheme is due to be considered by the Council’s Executive Board in February.
During the trial the original scope of the Ingram Road scheme was reduced to part of Rydall Place, this will form the extent of the permanent Traffic Regulation Order.
Two schools in other parts of Leeds, Cross Gates Primary and Beecroft in Kirkstall, will withdraw from the School Street trial.
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South Leeds local heroes
Chris Langdale from Kidz Klub Leeds talking to pupils at Grrenmount Primary School in Beeston

Pupils from two primary schools in South Leeds have had the opportunity to meet local heroes, who are taking action to change their communities for the better.
This ‘Heroes Local and Global programme’ was funded by iwill youth social action and Leeds Community Foundation, and was run by educational charity Leeds DEC.
Pupils at Greenmount Primary and Ingram Road Primary took part in the 'Heroes Local and Global' programme which involved learning about young people around the world who are taking positive action, such as planting trees or raising awareness about racism. The children then met local heroes such as inter-faith community worker Mahbub Nazir, Chris Langdale from Kidz Klub and Alan Lane from Slung Low to find out what they do to help others.
“The aim of the programme was to meet inspirational people who would encourage and motivate the children to create positive change. We also wanted to give the children space to come up with their own ideas.” said Leeds DEC worker Hannah Langdana.
Social actions that the children delivered included creating useful items out of waste, writing letters to the government about pollution, creating posters about racism to display in their windows and organising street litter picks.
“I liked that we made a juice carton into a pencil holder!” Year 5 pupil
“I have enjoyed meeting actual heroes that have done big things to make the world better” Safaa Year 5 pupil
“I learnt that even if you are doing a little you are helping a lot!” Sumayya Year 5 pupil
“This project has been more than I had hoped for and one that I hope will long continue, bringing local communities together through the power of belonging, inspiration and teamwork.” said Year 5 teacher at Greenmount Primary Emma Robinson.
School governor at Ingram Road, Deryn Porter, added “This course has helped push our school council towards an understanding that they have thoughts, feelings and ideas that are echoed around the globe. We also had a lot of fun together, realising that important issues are tackled by people like us and not just by very serious and important people.”

Cockburn School’s Sister Act Success

Tapping their feet and laughing: Sister Act at Cockburn School by Alannah Marsden
The first week of December brought a real treat to the Cockburn School stage as the production of Sister Act was brought to life.
With three nights of performances to sold-out audiences, as well as two matinees to students from local schools, many people in the area were lucky enough to witness this amazing production.
And from the sound of the wild applause and cheers at the end of the shows, I certainly wasn’t the only one who thoroughly enjoyed the viewing!
Sister Act is a popular and much-loved musical, and this was very much reflected in the audience reception. People smiling and laughing, tapping their feet to the music and even dancing and singing along to the last song; the atmosphere in the room was truly magical.
After a period of time where the arts have really struggled, it was so refreshing to see people coming together to celebrate theatre once more.
The production itself could easily be mistaken for a West End one, as the level of professionalism was extremely high from everyone.
The costumes added a level of depth that really immersed the audience into the show, as did the fantastic set design. Having the band playing in front of the stage also added an exciting element to the musical.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the students who dedicated hours upon hours of rehearsals to make the show the best it could possibly be.
Staying after school and coming in on weekends, the level of commitment shown by the cast was extremely admirable. And it certainly paid off! It was evident that every cast member loved every minute of performing, thus making Sister Act even more enjoyable to watch.
Yet again, Cockburn School has impressed us all with another incredible musical. The biggest congratulations to everyone involved, and I think it is safe to say we are all already looking forward to next year’s show!



St Mary’s C of E Primary The Next Chapter
In September 2021, St Mary’s Primary Academy welcomed Trevor Marsden as their new headteacher.
Trevor is an experienced educator, who has led schools in the UK and overseas. Most recently Trevor was the founding Head of Primary of a world leading ecological school in Dubai.
With family roots in Yorkshire, Trevor has received a warm welcome from students at St Mary’s and is excited to take on a new project.
St Mary’s has been on a bit of a journey over the last few years but it is now starting to press forward with school improvement. As he comes to the end of the first term in post, Trevor has begun to plan for the future and set out the next chapter for St Mary's C of E Primary Academy:
Christian Vision
The school is situated in the very heart of Hunslet in the shadow of the spire of the now demolished St Mary’s church. Central to the future of the school is to further develop a caring Christian vision that brings light and hope to all our fantastic students and families regardless of faith.
We know our students will grow up into a world that is different from the one we have now. Sometimes I worry about the future that they will have but I do believe it will be bright. I want students at St Mary’s to lift up their heads and let their light shine, as I know they can I want to develop the school’s curriculum. I want every child to love coming to school and I want every parent who sends their child to St Mary’s to know their child is getting a great education.
achieve their dreams with God.
Curriculum that inspires
Although I have been a Headteacher for a number of years, my first great love in education is still teaching and learning. Over the next few years,
I have been fortunate to live and travel to many countries around the world. A great curriculum should not only prepare a child for the next stage of their education but it should also help them prepare for an
Prize fund announced for youth to tackle climate c
Aged 11-18? Bothered about climate change? Want to help make your community greener - and be in the running for a cash prize?
Local youth project 'Space' is offering a £250 prize fund for young people across LS10 and LS11 who take action over the course of this year (2022) to combat climate change. This can be action in their own lives, or the lives of their households, schools, and communities.
They might be practical schemes, and/or initiatives that raise local awareness on the issue. The organisers are keen for participants to come up with their own ideas - but examples might include a local food project, reducing energy use, promoting low-carbon travel (like walking or cycling), a campaign to reduce or reuse resources, or action to improve the local environment.
Young participants are asked to document what they do, and what they learn, through photos, short home-made videos, notes or diaries, or in any way that suits them. These need to be submitted by the end of December 2022, and will be judged by a panel of young people in January 2023. The £250 prize money will be awarded to the winner(s), with runners-up prizes also available.
Ed Carlisle, who co-runs Space, commented: "It's younger people above everyone who will face the impacts of climate change - and it's been extraordinary in recent years to see the international youth movement rise up, demanding action on climate change. We undoubtedly need big players like governments and business to act - but we need to take a lead. This climate challenge idea came about from discussions at our youth groups, and will hopefully inspire youngsters across our communities to make an impact,
y Academy:
ever-changing and exciting world that they will live in.
As a boy, I grew up in the north east of England and went to a school very much like St Mary’s. In primary school, I struggled with reading and writing.

Through the curriculum and the wider activities in school, I began to dream of what my life could be like.
I love the quote by Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist - he articulates the purpose of the
r local change
and show us all what's possible." For more details, look for 'The curriculum so well:
“One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”
Carl Gustav Jung, The development of personality (1970).
Heart of the Community
St Mary’s is very much a community school and many of the families who bring their children to us have done for many years. Ultimately our job at St Mary’s is to serve the community.
We plan to do this by, firstly, gradually transforming the school environment. I want school to look amazing and feel amazing so all the community can be proud of it. I am also aware that some parents may not have had positive experiences when they went to school.
We want all parents to fell that they can come to St Mary’s and join with us on the exciting journey ahead. With the help and involvement of the community we can achieve so much more and I look forward to the journey ahead.
South Leeds Youth Climate Challenge 2022' on Facebook. Anyone living in LS10 or LS11, who is aged 11 to 18 this year, can enter. The challenge is run by Space - a youth project running since 2004 in Beeston for 11-18 year olds, coordinated by the Church Together in LS11 and the Salvation Army.



What I love about Cottingley
Children in Cottingley have been invited to share what they like about living in the area that could see their designs made into banner to be displayed on local lampposts.
Councillor Angela Gabriel visited Cottingely Primary Academy to speak at their Key Stage 2 assembly about the importance of community and ask the children if they would like to enter the competition.
Any budding artists will need to either draw or paint a picture that represents what they like about living in Cottingley and the five winning designs will then be made into professional banners to be hung around the local area.
Councillor Angela Gabriel (Beeston and Holbeck) said:
“My ward colleagues Andrew Scopes, Gohar Almass and I always like to hear people tell us why they love where they live and we are lucky that we have a fantastic sense of community in South Leeds.
“I wanted to make sure that sense of belonging is shared by the next generation and so we have launched the competition for local school children to design a banner that shows why they love Cottingley. They really can choose anything, whether they love the local shops, being able to play with their friends or they have a favourite place to go, we want to see it.
“I can’t wait to see the winning designs made into banners and hanging proudly in Cottingley to show everyone what a great place it is to live.” Cllr Angela Gabriel spoke to pupils