News
Children ‘forget how to use knife and fork’ due to lockdown
Just in…
Ofsted has examined the impact of the pandemic on children and found that some have slipped quite far back with their skills.
The report highlighted that children have been the hardest hit by Covid-19 measures put in place during the pandemic.
In some cases, for instance, where children were potty-trained pre-lockdown they have reverted back to nappies. Others have forgotten basic numbers or how to use a knife and fork. Older children have lost their stamina for reading, according to the inspectors.
Based on visits to 900 schools, Ofsted found there were three ‘broad groups’ to describe what has happened to children in the UK in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The majority of children sit in the middle of the three groups. This group has ‘slipped back in their learning to varying degrees since schools were closed to most children and movement restricted’.
The report adds that ‘lost learning is unarguable, but it is hard to assess’.
The hardest-hit group of children have suffered from time out from school, retreating on their numeracy and literacy skills as well as ‘regression back into nappies among potty-trained children’. In some cases ‘basic skills’ such as using a knife and fork have been lost.
There are some children, the findings explain, that have gained a positive experience from lockdown. These children come from ‘supportive’ backgrounds and have benefited from a greater sense of togetherness and ‘quality time’ with parents and family.
The report adds that children’s experiences weren’t necessarily determined by privilege or deprivation. However, it explains that those children whose parents were unable to work more flexibly have experienced less time with parents and other children and have therefore been more greatly impacted.
The chief inspector, Amanda Spielman, says the divide is not along the lines of ‘advantage and deprivation’. Instead, it depends on factors such as whether parents were able to spend time children and families. She described this as ‘good support structures’.
Children with special education needs and disabilities have been ‘seriously affected’ across all age groups both in car and education, losing vital support including speech and language services.
Ofsted remains concerned about children who are at risk of neglect, exploitation and abuse. Child protection referrals fell while schools to most pupils and have yet to return to normal levels.
In older children, Ofsted warned of a loss of concentration. Spielman added that some boys have spent most of the lockdown gaming online with friends and after months of online-learning, ‘online squabbles’ that started in lockdown on social media are now ‘being played out in the classroom’.
There are also reports of loss of physical fitness, ‘signs of mental distress’ and concerns over eating disorders and self-harm.
Leader of the ASCL headteachers’ union, Geoff Barton, says the report ‘starkly shows the educational and emotional impact of school closures, and why we need to do everything possible to keep schools open’.
Barton warned that it was becoming financially unsustainable to keep schools running with the increased cost of safety measures and paying for staff to cover when teachers need to self-isolate.
James Bowen, the director of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “The government’s refusal to recognise the financial difficulties schools are now facing due to Covid-19 means that not only is money being taken away from children’s education and wellbeing, it could push some schools over the edge financially.”
A Department for Education person said: “The government has been clear that getting all pupils and students back into full-time education is a national priority.”
Adding: “We know that some children do need additional support to catch up as a result of the pandemic, which is why we launched a £1bn Covid catch-up fund for schools to support those children who need it.
“Our national tutoring programme is now live in schools, providing intensive support to the most disadvantaged children. The evidence shows high-quality tutoring can make up as much as three to five months’ lost learning.”
News
Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’
The news we’ve all been waiting for!
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.
The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:
July
4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium
11th – Manchester, Heaton Park
12th – Manchester, Heaton Park
19th – Manchester, Heaton Park
20th – Manchester, Heaton Park
25th – London, Wembley Stadium
26th – London, Wembley Stadium
August
2nd – London, Wembley Stadium
3rd – London, Wembley Stadium
8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium
16th – Dublin, Croke Park
17th – Dublin, Croke Park
You can grab your tickets HERE.
News
Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries
Fancy a career change?
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.
“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”
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