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Colourful celebration of diversity
THE pioneering
work of schools to raise the attainment of pupils of all abilities
is being celebrated at an Oscars-style ceremony in Liverpool.
The 2007 Liverpool Inclusion Awards, sponsored by Liverpool John
Moores University and 2020 Liverpool, is being held on Wednesday 9
May. The event recognises the achievements of around 40
schools who have received national, regional and local awards
including dyslexia friendly and Inclusion Charter Mark status.
Liverpool City Council's executive member for children's services,
Councillor Paul Clein, said:- "This event showcases the
absolutely amazing work which is going on to successfully include
children with special educational needs in our mainstream schools.
Schools across the city have embraced the inclusion agenda and are
working incredibly hard to improve standards for youngsters of all
ages and abilities. These awards demonstrate that an
improvement in quality is taking place, and it is great to see that
so many schools are meeting the challenge successfully."
The 250 guests will be treated to Irish dancing by pupils from The
Trinity Catholic Primary in Vauxhall. They have been learning more
about the culture of youngsters from the Traveller community who
attend the school. The children will also perform a poem written as
a tribute to 15 year-old Johnny Delaney, a Traveller from Liverpool
murdered during a visit to Ellesmere Port in 2003. A DVD will
be shown featuring youngsters at Leamington Community Primary School
in Norris Green planning how to make access to the building easier
for disabled people. There will also be a jazz and jive
performance by youngsters from Barlow’s Primary School in Fazakerley,
a display of African drumming from children who attend Banks Road
Primary School in Garston and singing from Holly Lodge gospel choir.
A special award will also be presented in honour of Chris Gaffney,
head of the Special Education Needs Support Service, who died in
February after 30 years working at the city council.
Liverpool City Council's executive director for children's services,
Stuart Smith, said:- "I'm delighted with the progress that has
been made in making inclusion a reality in so many Liverpool schools
over the last few years. It is not easy to achieve the
standards recognised through these awards and it demonstrates that
we have excellent leadership, high quality staff and brilliant
talent among our children." |
9-TO-5 IS DEAD, LONG LIVE 5-TO-9
A SURVEY,
published by First Direct, revealing that more than a 3rd of British
workers now work outside traditional working hours has been heralded
by Work Wise UK as yet another demonstration that the nature of work
across the world is changing fundamentally.
Phil Flaxton, chief executive of Work Wise UK, said:- “What we
are seeing is the beginnings of a complete revolution in the way we
work. The changes are unavoidable, and crucial if the UK economy is
going to be able to compete in the global economy in the face of
competition already emerging from India and China. Shifting
working practices to meet market demands, such as 24/7 service, is
vital for competitiveness. Those companies that don't change to meet
market demands will not be here tomorrow.
But, generally, this change in the way we work is actually for the
good. Apart from significantly improving productivity and
competitiveness for businesses, adopting new smarter working
practices, such as flexible working, home working, remote working
and working from home, will also help employees achieve a better
work-life balance, reduce the stress caused by work and long daily
commutes, with associated health impacts, and positive effect upon
family life.
And at a time of huge concerns over the environment and congestion,
the reduction in the need to travel and staggering of travel times
will have a positive impact there as well. Pretty much a
win-win scenario.”
The First Direct survey comes 2 weeks before Work Wise UK stages the
2nd annual Work Wise Week (16 May 2007 to 22 May 2007) to continue the campaign to
create a ‘smarter’ working Britain. The week includes a number of
events and National Work from Home day on Friday, May 18. During the
week, organisations will be encouraged to participate in smarter
working practices such as allowing staff to stagger their commute
and working from home.
Work Wise UK, a not-for-profit
initiative, is in the 1st of a 5 year programme to promote the wider
adoption of smarter working practices, such as flexible working
including compressed working hours and 9-day fortnights, working
from home, mobile and remote working, to bring about a workplace
revolution, similar in impact to the Industrial Revolution which
Great Britain led in the 19th century. |
