Archive
Troubled school hit by financial crisis – Durham Federation – From The Northern Echo
A CRISIS-hit federation school that was plunged into special measures just two years after being hailed the most improved in the country has hit a financial crisis, The Northern Echo can reveal.
Trevor Dunn, the principal at the Durham Federation, has written to staff and trade unions spelling out the need for “significant savings” to balance the budget.
Mr Dunn appealed for money saving ideas, including expressions of interest in early retirement or voluntary redundancy.
However, suggestions at least 15 jobs will be axed across the two schools, Durham Community Business College (DCBC) in Ushaw Moor and Fyndoune Community College in Sacriston, have been dismissed as premature.
However, Roberta Blackman-Woods MP, whose Durham City patch includes Ushaw Moor, said while it was very unfortunate, decisions on the federation’s future should not be rushed.
The Unison trade union, which represents many school staff, said it would be inappropriate to comment.
“The letter is clear that at this stage we are asking for suggestions or ideas to reduce spending, which could include expressions of interest in early retirement/voluntary redundancy, a reduction in hours, job sharing or new ways of working.”
He added: “I would like to stress that we are at the very early stages of this process and we will listen carefully to all suggestions before making any further decisions.”
The federation, the first in County Durham back in 2006, has suffered a remarkable fall from grace. Just two years ago, Fyndoune was the most improved secondary school in the country and DCBC was given £650,000 to pioneer vocational education with the region’s first Studio School sixth form.
Mr Jones said the conversion must happen as quickly as possible to minimise uncertainty for staff and families – and with a sponsor other than Durham County Council, which he accused of dragging its feet over the school’s leadership problems.
Dr Blackman-Woods linked the budget deficit to the school’s management problems but said she hoped compulsory redundancies could be avoided.
Troubled school hit by financial crisis – From The Northern Echo
Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Deerness, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City hosted the Deerness Floor Championships
HUNDREDS of the North-East’s most promising young gymnasts displayed their talents in a keenly-contested championships yesterday (Saturday).
Deerness Gymnastics Academy in Deerness, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City hosted the Deerness Floor Championships, attracting entries from 12 gymnastics clubs across the region, with more than 500 people taking part.
Many gymnasts from the Durham club took part in the competition which was developed to give young children the opportunity to perform their gymnastic skills in a friendly and encouraging environment.
Children aged four to 16, including novices, intermediates and advance gymnasts, participated in individual, pairs and disability categories.
The academy’s gymnastic director Karl Wharton said: “Congratulations and many thanks to all the clubs, gymnasts, coaches, parents and volunteers who made this a very successful day.
“Although Deerness Gymnastics Academy is known as a major club in GB gymnastics and home to world, European and British champions the club is also committed in helping to develop happy, healthy and confident children throughout the region.
“The sport also provides many young people throughout Durham and the North-East with the opportunity to improve their health and physical development, promote social and emotional skills as well as boost their confidence.
“Competitions like these are a great way to introduce children and young people to the competitive side of the sport.”
Deerness Gymnastics Academy, which has One Show and Countryfile presenter Matt Baker as its patron, has become one of Britain’s top gymnastics clubs over the past 20 years, with more than 100 international gymnasts securing 70 world and European medals. It has four World and six European Champions on its roll of honour.
To find out more about the academy contact 0191-373 9419 or visit http://www.deernessgymnastics.org.uk.
Mini Mixers next session is a Mothers Day special – Saturday 29th March The Hut Ushaw Moor
Mini Mixers next session is a Mothers Day special – Saturday 29th March at 1.30pm (The Hut, Ushaw Moor, Durham)
Join our Mini Mixers having oodles of Creative fun making lovely Mothers Day cards and having a Mini Cupcake Masterclass decorating Cupcakes for Mum using edible lustre dust and more!
£7 per child – Suitable for children aged 3 – 12 yrs approx.
Booking and prepayment essential – Contact sarah@minimixers.co.uk or ring 07977 484767
Durham gymnasts to support Diversity on UK tour From Durham Times
FOUR North-East gymnasts are to support dance stars Diversity on their UK tour.
Acropolis, part of Deerness Gymnastics Academy, in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, will join Diversity, winners of TV talent show Britain’s Got Talent, for the dance group’s Limitless tour.
Diversity choreographer Ashley Banjo said: “I had heard that Acropolis had world-class gymnasts so I visited the club.
“They are amazing – and having international medal-winning acrobats is definitely giving the show an added dimension.”
The Acropolis stars taking part are: Millie Nesbitt, 14, from Durham; Liam Sneath, 16, from Spennymoor; Tim Pritchard, 18, from Durham; and Alex Houston, 20, from Consett.
The tour visits Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on Tuesday, December 3.
For more information on the Limitless tour, visit diversityofficial.com
via Durham gymnasts to support Diversity on UK tour From Durham Times.
Enterprise Development and Education Network – Ushaw Moor Cafe
We are a Cafe based in Ushaw Moor, County Durham, giving young people in the area and other ages a chance for training in working in the Cafe and also work experience, this is because of our close links with Enterprise Development and Education Network, also known as EDEN. EDEN which is run by Anne-Marie Booth who is also the Manager of the Cafe. We are primarily based in the lovely Village of Ushaw Moor, in ‘The Hive’. Our staff who are all volunteers are extremely friendly and constantly open for a chat. So if you are ever visiting Durham, this is the place to go.
Basic info
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| Location | 5 Station Rd, DH7 7PX Ushaw Moor |
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Wed – Fri: 10:00 – 16:00
Sat: 10:00 – 14:00
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New cafe is space to meet in Ushaw Moor From The Northern Echo
The opening of The Hive; a community cafe in Ushaw Moor. From left social entrepreneur Andrea Watts, Anne-Marie Booth and Rachel Shepherd, chair of Ushaw Moor Action Group
A VOLUNTEER-run cafe has opened in a community hub.
Drinks, scones and teacakes are being served at The Hive, on Station Road, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, after the coffee shop was officially opened by social entrepreneur Andrea Watts today (Thursday, October 17).
The cafe was set up to meet an identified need for space for the community to meet, particularly young people.
It is hoped it will become a training centre for village youngsters, who will get work experience in the cafe.
The facility will be run by the Enterprise Development and Education Network (Eden). Eden leader Anne-Marie Booth said: “The opening went really well. We had a near-constant flow of people all day and two young people volunteered to help.”
The cafe, decorated with pictures of the local area, will be open Wednesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.
via New cafe is space to meet in Ushaw Moor From The Northern Echo.
Kids Club – The Hut, Chestnut Grove,Ushaw Moor
Kids Club is an after school activity club run by local mums and volunteers who are CRB checked and aims to provide recreational and leisure time activities for children aged 7 to 11 years in an effort to develop their physical and mental capacities and in doing so support them in growing to full maturity as individuals and members of society.
Kids Club meet every Tuesday from 5.00-6.30pm at the Hut Chestnut Grove Ushaw Moor, and provides children with a friendly, safe and stimulating environment, where they can enjoy making new friends. We provide a wide variety of activities to keep them busy after school and during school holidays, which includes the following:
- Arts and crafts
- Organised games
- Board games
- Sports (indoor / outdoor)
- Air hockey / football table / table tennis/ pool / x box 360
- Discos
- Environmental project activities
- Cookery Course
- Gardening Club
- Outings
via About Us.
Kids Club Ushaw Moor – After School Activity Club
Kids Club is an after school activity club run by local mums and volunteers who are CRB checked and aims to provide recreational and leisure time activities for children aged 7 to 11 years in an effort to develop their physical and mental capacities and in doing so support them in growing to full maturity as individuals and members of society.
Kids Club meet every Tuesday from 5.00-6.30pm at the Hut Chestnut Grove Ushaw Moor, and provides children with a friendly, safe and stimulating environment, where they can enjoy making new friends. We provide a variety of activities to keep them busy after school and during school holidays, which includes the following:
- Arts and crafts
- Organised games
- Board games
- Sports (indoor / outdoor)
- Air hockey / football table / table tennis/ pool / x box 360
- Discos
- Environmental project activities
- Cookery Course
- Gardening Club
- Outings
The Hive – Ushaw Moor Action Group
opening soon
The Hive is a flexible place for people to meet, and facilitate a variety of activities and services for people of all ages living in Ushaw Moor. These activities will promote health, well being, intergenerational activity, access to services, social cohesion,and community safety.
The Hive will facilitate a range of activities which cut across all ages, and provide a dedicated meeting place for community activity, encourage engagement with key projects to continue throughout the year and provide a showcase for positive community action.
The building will support group provision for children, young people, and the elderly in the area. The development of youth activities will promote intergenerational activity, social cohesion, health and well being, thereby engaging and strengthening the local community.
Project Objectives
We anticipate through the enthusiasm for the creation of a community focus that the provision of a dedicated community venue will promote the following activities:
Children and Young People
The dedicated meeting place will support activities for young people based on need.
Support Out-of-Term activities
Evidence suggests that community activity should not be confined to the school, there are children and young people who do not want to go back to school for activities.
Older people
Provide a place for older people to meet and socialise.
The Hive will encourage and facilitate new community group meetings and activities. Interest in local craft and arts group activities were requested at the public meetings.
The closure of Age Concern in the village presents the community with an opportunity to consult with elderly residents with regard to their current needs. Planning sessions based on identified need will be organised with Age UK to guide future development. Where possible we will work closely with existing services and their partners to improve, increase and provide the opportunities available to all the residents of Ushaw moor and its surrounding villages.
Increasing the volunteer base is an obvious challenge
Education
The new computer suite and associated activities will support workshops and programmes promoting intergenerational activities, citizenship, inclusion, tolerance and life skills.
The Hive will provide a base for the Ushaw Moor HAGGRID Community Garden project and support the training and workshop elements of the project.
It will serve as a meeting place and additional training venue for the Friends of the Community Garden.
Enterprise
With the support of local business we aim to encourage enterprise and strong youth involvement and through such activities capture talent, engage potential and empower young people to drive change. The building will offer unique fund raising, work experience and, through linking with the community garden, future social enterprise opportunities, and in doing so serve to showcase positive community activity.
The potential to work with our local CVS to develop meals on wheels provision is also being explored.
Community Safety
The Hive will provide a much needed drop in centre for the Neighbourhood Policing Team. Facilitate PACT and Neighbourhood Watch meetings, supporting the promotion of our Village Watch initiative; including other voluntary organisations that need to deliver services at local level e.g. Citizens Advice Bureau.
Ushaw Moor Community Site
Ushaw Moor Radio
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