Lealands High’s Friday Night Project shortlisted in the Teaching Excellence Awards

Lealands High’s Friday Night Project shortlisted in the Teaching Excellence Awards

Lealands High School in Sundon Park has recently been shortlisted for a prestigious TES Award - Teaching Excellence in School’s awards – which celebrate and reward the professionalism of those teams making an outstanding contribution to primary, secondary and special needs schools.

The school was shortlisted in the category of Outstanding Sustainable School or Community Partnership Scheme for their Friday Night Project. Lealands is one of only six schools nationally shortlisted in this category and the only Luton and Bedfordshire School short-listed for any category in these awards.

The Friday Night Project is a fantastic free club for up to 60 local young people to take part in sports activities, which have included supervised football, street dance and basketball competitions. Over 250 local young people, who come from all over Luton, have subscribed to the scheme over the past couple of years. The Project is run in conjunction with Geoff Morris from Sundon Park Youth Centre, and it has a number of committed volunteers, youth workers and Lealands school staff to enable young people to participate in organised physical and social activities.

The project also gives young people a chance to gain qualifications including Football Association Level 1, Junior Football Organisers Awards and Duke of Edinburgh Awards, giving participants a sense of achievement and skills for the future.

The Friday Night Project has made a real difference to the quality of life for some local young people, and has helped fight anti-social behavior in Sundon Park. Last year, the Project hosted the inaugural Community Cohesion Cup in which teams from the Friday Night Project, Wagad Sports (Somali Youth Group), Bangladeshi Youth League and a team from the Beds FA competed for the trophy. The event was attended by Kelvin Hopkins MP as well as the community leaders and local dignitaries.

Kevin England from the Beds FA said about the Friday Night Project: “It is a wonderful use of the football facility at Lealands High School which helps bring together the community and local young people. Beds FA have used The Friday Night Project as an example of good practice in other areas of the county and have reflected the same scheme at our own facility in Skimpot Road in Dunstable. The energy that Phil Payne, the Community Development Officer at Lealands High School has put into this scheme is highly commendable, and he has gone beyond what was expected”.

Phil Payne, commented: “We are very proud of the project and would be enormously pleased to have all of the good things it has done recognised. Ultimately however, the real success is that the young people of Sundon Park, and beyond, continue to come back week after week in all weathers to be part of what is Their Project”.

Cllr Waheed Akbar, Executive Member with responsibility for children’s services said: “Well done to Lealands High for being shortlisted in this national award, which is a testament to the positive impact this project is having on Luton’s young people.”

The TES Awards take place on Friday 6 July at the London Hilton. It promises to be a spectacular event with over 700 guests expected to attend, including government ministers and educational professionals from all over the UK.

For more information about the Friday Night Project, which takes place from 8pm – 10pm on Friday evenings during term time, please contact Lealands High School on 01582 611600 or go to www.lealands.luton.sch.uk and click on the ‘community’ tab.

New manager to inspire visitors to attend world class sports village

Dan Palframan, General Manager

 

 

 

 

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Inspire: Luton Sports Village

New manager to inspire visitors to attend world class sports village

Dan Palframan was recently appointed the new general manager for Inspire:Luton Sports Village, a £26 million world class sport and leisure facility currently being developed in Stopsley and due to open in August 2012.

A keen sportsman with a love and passion for leisure and health related fitness and with 15 years’ experience within the public and private sector of the leisure industry; Dan is determined to encourage members from different communities as well as talented and elite athletes to take advantage of the outstanding facilities that Inspire has to offer.

Dan said: “My goal is to help create and run a reputable world class and community facility that the people of Luton will be proud of and to develop sports and leisure activities that will have a positive impact on all our users. I’m looking forward to the challenge and am confident that with my team, we can deliver great sports facilities for our customers”

Inspire will house a 100 station Profiles gym, kitted out with the latest Technogym equipment; Technogym is also the official supplier of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There’s also a spinning room, dance studio and multi-purpose activity room, providing over 80 classes per week featuring sessions such as Zumba® and Body Pump®, with all levels of fitness being catered for.

Dan added: “The sports village will offer a number of stimulating and engaging activities designed specifically for the under-fives and for our mature users. And with some of the best aquatic facilities in the country including a 50m, eight-lane main pool with a 10m, world class diving facility; also 20m, 5-lane community pool with moveable floor enabling a range of classes to take place, there will be something for everyone.”

The centre will also have an eight-court sports hall accommodating a wide range of sports including badminton, bowls, football and volleyball. Crèche services will be available for under-fives so users can get fit while their children safely play.

Inspire is attracting a lot of interest for swimming and sports events to be held within the centre, both regional and national, junior and senior events have been provisionally booked, and Dan is currently working with Beds ASA to host next year's county championships.

Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of the Council said: “This investment is a clear indication of our commitment to tackling the health problems that exist in the town. By having world-class facilities that are available to all at affordable prices we hope people of all ages will be inspired to get fit and healthy. When the centre opens in August I can guarantee that the people of Luton will not be disappointed and will agree that it was worth the wait!”

The ‘dry’ facilities of the sports village such as Profiles Gym, fitness classes and the sports hall will be open to the public from Monday, 20 August at 2pm, with the ‘wet side’ – swimming pools - being available from 6am on Friday, 24 August.

The Inspire café, offering a variety of healthy affordable foods, will be open to everyone, even those not using the centre’s facilities, from 24 August. The sports village will also be able to accommodate business meetings or parties via their licensed function room.

The Paralympic Flame will be coming to Bedfordshire over the August bank holiday weekend. Details are still being finalised, however, the Flame will visit Inspire:Luton Sports Village on Monday 27 August.

Stopsley High’s funding success

Stopsley High’s funding success

The Council is delighted to learn Stopsley High School is one of 261 schools to be receiving funding for rebuilding and renovation works from the Government’s Priority School Building Programme (PSBP).

PSBP replaces the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme which was abruptly stopped by the Government in July 2010 within seven weeks of construction works starting on Stopsley High School.

Cllr Waheed Akbar, portfolio holder for children’s services said:  “We are pleased the Government has recognised the need to invest in Stopsley High School. We believe this news justifies the Council's decision in 2010, when along with other councils we launched a judicial review against the education secretary’s decision to withdraw the BSF programme.

“This is good news for the school’s pupils, the school itself and the town, particularly as Stopsley High School was rated as ‘good’ with outstanding features in a recent Ofsted inspection.  We are looking forward to hearing more details from the Government about the funding so we can work closely with the school to move forward as soon as possible.”

The criteria for applications for grants from local authorities were very strict. A qualified surveyor was also appointed by the Government to visit Stopsley High to verify the condition of the buildings. Fewer than half of those who applied have been successful, with the Government citing only schools in the worst conditions qualified for funding.

Karen Johns, Acting Headteacher said: “The withdrawal of the BSF programme was a devastating blow to us. We are delighted the needs of the school have been recognised and this new funding will be of enormous benefit to our students and community.”

The Government has confirmed officials from the Education Funding Agency will be contacting the Council within the next two weeks to indicate when work will start.

Think Luton, think success – local business website is relaunched

Think Luton, think success – local business website is relaunched

The Council is urging local businesses to Think Luton, think success by visiting the website of the same name relaunched this month.

Think Luton, think success is dedicated to helping local businesses to enhance and develop, and encouraging inward investment and growth.

The revamped website is regularly refreshed and updated.  It features the latest business news, innovative ventures, developments, photographs and a diary of events which any local business can feed into, alongside seminars and training courses.  There is also a blog for businesses to actively share their good news stories and new ideas.

Excellent advice and support is on hand too for all businesses - new and old, large and small - to help them to develop, expand and exceed expectations.

The site divides businesses into 4 key clusters which have developed around Luton's existing strengths and successful enterprise; these are engineering and automotive, creative industries, ICT and electronics and airport and aerospace.

Cllr Sian Timoney, portfolio holder for regeneration, said:  “Luton could easily be described as one of Europe’s best kept secrets when it comes to business and investment. More and more businesses across all sectors are recognising this as the place to build and grow a brighter and better future, and we are already home to major international names enjoying the benefits of being based here.

“We were very pleased to learn of the results of a recent BBC survey revealing Luton as one of the strongest areas for business growth in England.  The research, by information analysts Experian, looked at growth and growth potential and found that the number of new firms in Luton grow by an average of 4.2 per cent between 2010 and 2012 - increasing from 9,354 to 10.139 -  the third highest in the country."

So take a positive step forward on the ladder of success with Think Luton, think success and visit  www.thinkluton.co.uk or call Sayma Khanom for more details on 01582 547970.

Award winning visual arts project in Luton

Award winning visual arts project in Luton

A partnership between three Luton organisations has won the Adult Learners’ Week ‘Learning Through Partnership’ award.

The award was presented to the three organisations, Luton Adult Community Learning, ACE Enterprises (part of SEPT-NHS, Luton) and voluntary group MAD (Make a Difference), who pooled their resources to offer a visual arts course to a group of learners recovering from mental health illnesses.

Learners on the course worked on a project to paint backdrops and make props for the community play ‘Rainbow Redemption’.  The play examined the often stark realities faced by those living with mental health illnesses and was performed at Luton Library Theatre in October 2011.

Adult Learners’ Week – celebrated this year from 14  to 18 May  - culminates in an award ceremony which applauds achievement and recognises good practice in the field of learning across Bedfordshire and Luton.

The awards, presented by the Learning Partnership of Bedfordshire and Luton, aim to highlight the value and huge variety of learning activities which take place throughout the region. In particular, they recognise innovative developments, which have widened participation and social inclusion.

There were eight award categories in total and the ‘Learning Through Partnership’ award was won by the three Luton organisations.

Learners and representatives from the three partnership organisations attended the award ceremony which was held in the beautiful surroundings of Shuttleworth College on Friday, 18 May.

David Blakeman, Director of Luton Town Football Club, joined Heather Maggs, Chairperson of the Learning Partnership to present the winners with their awards.  Award winners were presented with a local award certificate and a £200 voucher to be redeemed against future courses of learning.

Mumtaz Mohammed, one of the learners on the course, spoke to assembled guests to describe how the project has helped him to engage with creative art and given him a new focus.

Gail Dearing of SEPT-NHS, said: “I remember how this all started – over a cup of coffee and a discussion.  It’s amazing how much can come from a cup of coffee!”

Teresa King, Informal Learning Manager for Luton Adult Community Learning, said: “It has been a very proud afternoon for all of us and we have had a wonderful time today.”

Cllr Waheed Akbar, Portfolio Holder for adult learning, said: “I would like to personally congratulate all three organisations on this fantastic initiative which demonstrates the power of partnership working to make a real difference in people’s lives. This award is thoroughly deserved and shows the organisations' tremendous contribution to the community.”

Working in partnership has meant that new creative arts project associated with the Olympic Torch in Luton celebrations is now underway.

Win a meet and greet with Olly Murs

Win a meet and greet with Olly Murs

Chart topping singer-songwriter Olly Murs will be dazzling crowds at this summer’s Love Luton 2012 Festival and there is now an exciting opportunity for fans to get up close and personal with the double platinum selling artist.

Luton Borough Council has four pairs of ‘meet and greets’ to give away, giving eight lucky people the ultimate Love Luton Festival experience.

Everyone who has purchased a ticket for the 7 July concert on or before Thursday 7 June will automatically go into the draw to win the chance to meet Murs back stage prior to his performance.

Winners will be selected at random and contacted by festival organisers after the draw.

Discounted tickets including family, student and weekend saver tickets are still available from www.luton.gov.uk/2012festival

Murs told festival organisers that he was looking forward to meeting some of his fans back stage at Popes Meadow and that he was particularly excited about performing in Luton for the first time. He said: "Festivals are loads of fun and I can't wait to play for you all. I hope you're going to have as much fun as I will.”

Cllr Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton Borough Council, said:  “We’ve had lots of requests from people on Facebook and Twitter about meet and greets so we are so thankful to Olly and his team for fitting this in to his very busy schedule.

"Olly is one of the biggest stars to ever come to Luton and eight lucky people will be the envy of their friends by meeting him in person as part of the spectacular Love Luton Festival weekend.

“Make sure you get your tickets before 7 June for a chance to win this ultimate concert experience.”

As one of the UK’s best selling emerging solo artists over the last two years, Olly Murs has continued to dominate the charts with four number one singles, a Brit Award nomination for Best British Single and a sell-out tour. Both his albums have gone double platinum, selling over 1.3 million copies combined.

The Love Luton 2012 Festival will be packed with a huge range of activities including a spectacular carnival parade, school games, Mela activities along with music, comedy and dance leading up to a special Olympic Torch celebration event.

The University of Bedfordshire are platinum sponsors of the festival, while Heart FM, Motorbodies, The Mall and Walls have signed up to the gold packages. Noble Solicitors are the official legal sponsors of the weekend.

For up-to-the-minute information about the festival follow @lutoncouncil on Twitter using the hashtag #LutonFestival and like ‘Love Luton 2012 Festival’ on Facebook.

Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme moves another step closer

Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme moves another step closer

The long-awaited completion of Luton’s inner ring road has moved a step closer with Government approval for the compulsory purchase orders required by the Council.

The confirmation by Transport Secretary Justine Greening follows a three-day public inquiry into the £24 million Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme, which will also deliver associated transport improvements on the north side of the town centre, heard by The Planning Inspectorate at the Strathmore Hotel in January.

Last month, independent inspector Mr JI McPherson informed Ms Greening that he accepted the “compelling case” for a scheme which is key to Luton’s future growth and long-term economic prosperity.

Subject to final confirmation of funding by the Department for Transport, work which is expected to take 18 months could now start by late 2013 with completion by early 2015.

Cllr Sian Timoney, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said the scheme could help attract a £1.5bn investment package to Luton, delivering around 11,000 new jobs and up to 4,000 new homes.

She said: “Anyone who knows Luton town centre will be familiar with its congestion issues, particularly at peak times. Not only will this scheme provide additional vehicle capacity but traffic modelling shows there will be a significant reduction in that congestion which will also make the town centre more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.

“It delivers major benefits for Luton’s retail sector and greatly improves prospects for the delivery of major regeneration, including the proposed mixed-use developments at Power Court and High Town Village and extensions to The Mall shopping centre. It could also help release much-needed funding for the improvement of Luton station.”

At the centre of the project is a new two-way single-carriageway ‘Gateway Link’ road which will run from the junction of Hucklesby Way and Old Bedford Road as far as a new signal-controlled junction with Church Street and Hitchin Road. This section of the route runs between Midland Road and the railway line and passes under the station multi-storey car park.

The route then continues into Crescent Road to another new signalled-controlled junction with Crawley Green Road, and from there the next section will be made dual carriageway as far as St Mary’s roundabout.

The scheme includes two new bridges, to cross the mainline railway and the Luton Dunstable Busway, and also a shared cycle/pedestrian route.

A new access road will run from Gillam Street to serve Midland Road while Guildford Street will be closed to through traffic to enable an improved pedestrian connection between the new railway-bus interchange and the town centre via a proposed new public square.

Cllr Timoney added: “The scheme we are promoting forms a fundamental part of the integrated and comprehensive regeneration of our town.

“The Transport Secretary’s decision is very welcome news. The Council has been working hard for more than nine years to get to this point where we can buy the land we need and enter the detailed design phase.”

From Knight to Mayor!

Cllr Sydney Knight

Cllr Asma Rathore

From Knight to Mayor!

Cllr Syd Knight became the 139th Mayor of Luton when he was officially appointed as the new Mayor of Luton at the Full Council Meeting on Tuesday 15 May.

A jack of all trades and master of many, his professional careers include being a civil servant, engineer and even a tailor, with his claim to fame including making clothes for the American actor Robert Mitchum and working on the royal train. He finally settled on a career in social work in 1988 in Luton and qualified as a social worker in 1992. Cllr Knight went on to complete his Masters in Mental Health at the University of Hertfordshire in 2008.

Cllr Knight and his wife Rose have lived in Luton since 1973, they have three children and three grandchildren.

He was elected to Luton Borough Council for the first time in 1991 and was executive member for a number of years where he oversaw the opening of the Noah Training Centre in High Town by Her Majesty the Queen and was joint founder of the Mary Seacole project.

When Luton became a unitary authority in 1997 taking on the responsibilities of social services and education from Bedfordshire County Council, he moved to work in the County Council as a social worker to avoid any conflict of interest.

Cllr Knight took early retirement in 2003 to fight the local elections but lost his seat in Sundon Park, he did however regain it eight years later in the last local elections in 2011.

Cllr Knight said: “It is a privilege and honour to serve the people of Luton as Mayor of the town. I am look forward to meeting as many residents and community groups as possible and will do my utmost to promote all that is good about the town wherever I go.”

The Mayor will support four charities during his year in office: Mary Seacole which provided support and hostel accommodation for young, single homeless people; Mercy Worldwide, a faith based organisation committed to maximizing efforts to provide relief and care to those in need with a special focus on youth, Age Concern and the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) in memory of his daughter Karen, who died as the result of sudden infant death syndrome, and would have been 14 years old on 23 June 2012.

Cllr Asma Rathore was appointed as Deputy Mayor. She was elected to the Council in 2011 representing Saints Ward.

Cllrs Knight and Rathore will wear their mayoral robes for the first time at a special ‘Mayor making’ ceremony at the Town Hall on Wednesday 23 May.

Free neighbourhood family festivals

Free neighbourhood family festivals

With summer fast approaching, Luton Borough Council’s community development service and partners have organised a series of free family festivals across the town.

Six community festivals are scheduled throughout May and June that include a variety of activities for all the family such as face painting, fairground rides, sports, dance, music, entertainment, arts and crafts, prize draws and much more.

Officials from the Council and other public services such as Bedfordshire Police, NHS Luton, the fire and rescue service and various voluntary and community groups will also be on hand at each of the festivals to provide information on local services.

The festival is being supported as part of the Council-led scheme – ‘Your Say, Your Way’ – which is all about increasing opportunities for local people to get involved in decision making so they can help shape the future of their neighbourhoods.

Along with the fun and activities, the festivals provide a chance for local people to give their ideas about what the priorities should be in their area.

The following festivals are confirmed:

Saints Festival
Saturday 26 May, 1-5pm
Alder Crescent recreation ground (next to Saints Community Centre)

Farley Festival and Diamond Jubilee event
Sunday 3 June, 10am onwards
Market Square, Farley Hill, LU1 5RD

South Ward Community Festival
Saturday 16 June, 12-4pm
Green space outside Park Town Community & Children’s Centre

Area North Festival (organised by Marsh Farm Events Committee)
Saturday 23 June, 12-4pm
Futures House, The Moakes, Luton LU3 3QB

Bushmead Community Festival
Saturday 30 June, 2-4pm
Green space near Bushmead shopping parade and Community Centre (Hancock Drive)

Lewsey Community Festival
Saturday 30 June, 10am-5pm
Lewsey Park, Pastures Way

Cllr Sheila Roden, Portfolio Holder for community development, said: “If you live in any of these areas I encourage you to come along for an enjoyable family day out. They all double as a great chance for you to have your say on local issues, and for us to listen to your views and any concerns.”

Local businesses who would like to pitch or have a stall at any of the events should call 01582 55 66 92 or email yoursayyourway@luton.gov.uk

For more information about the ‘Your Say, Your Way’ project go to www.luton.gov.uk/neighbourhood