Henry Smith today welcomed news that Tesco has invested £30,849 worth of ‘Tesco for Schools and Clubs’ equipment into local schools and clubs over the last year.
Henry said:
“Crawley is in the top fifty places nationally in which Tesco has invested the most into.
“I want to congratulate the community-minded spirit of locals for collecting so many vouchers at the till and to thank Tesco for the scheme. Over a million were collected last year, and I would encourage people to keep it up this year until the deadline on May 8th. So if they’re hanging around the house or kicking around the car then now’s the time to drop them off at your participating school or club!”
Tesco’s Government Affairs Director, Ben Coates, told Henry:
“For the first time, we are encouraging customers to choose a local school or club to receive their spare vouchers, by setting ‘postboxes’ in Community Champion stores. We hope this will contribute to even more equipment being distributed than the 440,000 items worth £9.3 million we gave nationally in 2011.”
The place for young people in West Sussex to find out what’s happening in the county has been improved.
The YourSpace West Sussex website has a fresh new look and is now easier to use and provides a single point of contact for services and information for young people, from careers advice and job searches (in partnership with Connexions), to bullying, sexual and health guidance and support, as well as things to do in the county and lists of youth clubs.
Volunteering opportunities are also highlighted on the website. Volunteering looks good on a CV, and can help young people stand out from the crowd when job hunting.
Bloggers and those who want to have their say on issues affecting their communities can do so, on YourSpace. Plus everything young people need to know about the West Sussex Youth Cabinet can be found at the click of a mouse.
The new ‘find’ function allows users to search the whole site in a quick and easy way. Searches can also be refined, making it even easier to find the information needed.
There are also ‘under 18s’ and ‘over 18s’ sections of the website, tailored to the needs of those age groups.
Peter Evans, West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Our flagship young people’s website is now even better for its users and has everything they need to know about what’s on offer to them in West Sussex.
“The new and improved features come after extensive consultation with young people themselves, asking them what they wanted to see on the website.
“Even the colours of the new website were chosen by young people as they didn’t like the old ones. They were kept involved as the website was developed.”
Celebrate one year to go until the London 2012 Games by organising an event for Open Weekend 2011.
The theme for the fourth Open Weekend is ‘showcasing your best’. Sport, art, dance, film, music, and heritage events can all be part of the nationwide Open Weekend activities from Friday July 22 to Sunday July 24, 2011.
West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy Deborah Urquhart said: “Last year thousands of people across West Sussex enjoyed taking part in events put on by many organisations including leisure centres, libraries, museums and galleries.
“Blue Touch Paper Carnival weaved its way around Horsham’s Sparks in the Park event, sports taster sessions at K2 Crawley and East Grinstead Leisure Centre introduced new people to different activities, and Chichester’s Pallant House Gallery opened its doors for free.
“I’m certain this year will be even bigger and better as enthusiasm grows across West Sussex with one year to go.”
Organisations are encouraged to get involved. If you’re putting on an event you need to register it with the London2012.com website by the end of June. Also please email info@westsussex-aheadofthegame.com so it can be added to the list of events that will be promoted across the county.
Supported by BP and launched in 2008 with the start of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, more than a million people from around the UK have taken part in Open Weekend activities in the past three years.
Find out what Crawley Wellbeing Team can do for you at their open morning on Wednesday 4th May .
Speak to the team’s newly awarded ambassador, Rhiannon Sharpe, who is a slimmer, healthier and happier member of Crawley’s community.
Rhiannon, from Three Bridges, has lost weight and feels fitter and healthier since taking the Wellbeing Team’s advice and eating an improved diet, taking part in health walks and using free swim vouchers twice a week.
Running from 9.30am to 12noon at K2 Crawley, the morning will help town residents find out more about the Wellbeing Team and how their tailored programmes can help change your lifestyle.
Anyone is welcome to come along and speak to Rhiannon or one of the Wellbeing Advisors, Trudy, Jags or Julie but if you can’t make it but want to know more call 01293 582317 or visit www.crawleywellbeing.org.uk
Between 15th – 21st May 2011 a team of runners from The Royal British Legion Riders Branch, will be partaking in 7 x 13k runs throughout the county; covering each of the regions covered by the branch.
There are number of our branch members, who regularly take part in middle distance running events; to promote the work of the RBL and to raise funds for The Poppy Appeal. so we thought we would try something a little longer…….90k over 7 days.
Why 90k? 2011 is the 90th Anniversary of the Royal British Legion, hence 90k for 90. I came up with the idea one day when I should have been doing some important work, with the intention of something i would do as a solo challenge. Little did i know that others would be willing to join me and offer their valuable support in making this event something that we can be proud to be a part of and hopefully raise a large amount for the Poppy Appeal.
As previously mentioned our routes will cover each of the regions our branch covers and everyone is encouraged to join in and get involved. You don’t need to be available for every day but are more than welcome to join us for one or as many legs as you wish. All we ask is that you register by CLICKING HERE and any sponsorship you collect is donated to the RBLR Poppy Appeal Collection.
Help us promote the event in your area. Download the promotional poster by CLICKING HERE
Pigeon poop is set to be a problem of the past after an innovative new gel will trick the birds into thinking their favourite town spots are on fire.
Crawley Borough Council is trialling the non-toxic pigeon deterrent at its Exchange Road car park, a pigeon hotspot.
Although the appearance is just an orange gel to humans, pigeons, who are able to see ultraviolet light invisible to people, will see the gel as fire which should prevent them from landing on their favourite buildings.
Severely affected areas will be washed down this week and the gel will be laid overnight on Wednesday (April 20).
The repellent, called Bird Free, was developed in Korea and lasts for two years. It’s already been used in Horsham where it has seen a 100 per cent success rate.
In 2012 Crawley will have a St. George’s Day parade presenting cultural, working and educational aspects of living in Crawley. This will be followed by a display of music and dancing in Queen’s square.
There are already some excellent events celebrating various cultures that contribute to life in Crawley. There are some excellent events celebrating St. George’s Day. We now wish to add to this and hold a parade to celebrate out English culture.
This parade will take place on Sunday 22nd April 2012 the day before St. George’s Day.
The Parade will be non-political and our aim is to hold an event that is fun for all those that participate and enjoyable for all those that watch.
Volunteers are needed to help to organise the 2012 St. George’s Day Parade.
It is expected that the organising committee will be formed and start regular meetings in September.
We welcome all volunteers for this event and in particular we would like to include people with the skills to help with raising sponsorship, developing a web site, recruiting and organising the participants and the show in Queens Square and help in recruiting volunteers for the Parade. We will also need lots of volunteers for the parade itself.
We offer the opportunity for local businesses and organisations to enter floats and to sponsor the event.
We would also like to hear from anyone already planning St. George’s day event to avoid clash of schedules.
Volunteers and Sponsors should contact Richard Miller:
Crawley Mum, Vanessa Harold has been training hard in preparation for pounding the streets of the capital for the Virgin London Marathon on Sunday 17th April.
Vanessa, 43 will be running 26.2 miles in aid of St John Ambulance in her second London marathon, having enjoyed the experience of taking part in last year’s event so much.
Her son Johnathan is a volunteer with the charity and seeing how the first aid training he receives helps to save lives is what inspired Vanessa to choose St John Ambulance as her nominated charity in 2010 when she completed the course in 5 hours and 16 minutes. She hopes to finish in less than 5 hours this year before going on to take part in the Edinburgh marathon in May.
Vanessa said: ‘I’m running for St John Ambulance because first aid can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved, and I want to help get this message out to more people. It won’t be easy, but I can’t wait to cross the finish line and make those who have supported me proud. They have also been at most of the other runs I have taken part in. Unfortunately, I cannot stand the sight of blood and pass out at the thought of it, so helping out in any way was out of the question for me, except running and raising money for them.’
St John Ambulance Sussex County Fundraiser Jeanne Peterson said: ‘We’re so grateful to Vanessa for going to such lengths to raise vital funds to help us equip more people with life saving first aid skills. She’s a real inspiration and we wish her the best of luck on the day.’
Although Vanessa is hoping the funds she will raise will be put to good use, she’ll be hoping not to see the evidence herself on the day, when St John Ambulance volunteers will be on duty at the event to care for runners who need first aid. Every year they treat around 5000 runners and get through approx 100lbs of petroleum jelly for alleviating blisters.
St John Ambulance treats 1,500 casualties at Brighton marathon
Members of the nation’s leading first aid charity treated around 1,500 runners and spectators at this year’s Brighton marathon and took 10 patients to hospital.
Operations manager Dan May said he was delighted with the way his volunteers had risen to one of the biggest first aid challenges ever undertaken by Sussex St John Ambulance.
‘This was a huge operation involving many months of detailed planning,’ he said. ‘Our volunteers dealt with everything from sprains and strains through to much more serious problems, including hyperthermia and exercise related collapse.’
‘I’m extremely proud of them. The fact that so many St John Ambulance members were willing to give up their free time to staff the event meant that the vast majority of patients were able to be treated at our on site medical facilities instead of placing an extra burden on local hospitals and the ambulance service.’
The charity provided 18 ambulances, four bicycles, two motor bikes, two advanced treatment centres and 16 first aid treatment centres for the event. The first aid team included 10 doctors, 20 nurses and eight paramedics.
The charity is not part of the NHS and also receives no core government funding so relies on donations and fundraising to continue its vital work in local communities. For information on making a donation or becoming a volunteer please call 01273 371 500 or visit www.sja.org.uk/sussex.
Make sure your Royal Wedding party fireworks are safe and legal
PEOPLE planning to use fireworks to add sparkle to their Royal Wedding celebrations are urged to make sure they are safe and legal by following simple guidelines drawn up by West Sussex County Council Trading Standards Service.
“Whether you’re a street party organiser or holding a party in your garden, there are some important facts you need to bear in mind,” said Graeme MacPherson, Head of the Service.
The guidelines cover:
Buying fireworks:
“Fireworks can only be bought from retailers that have a licence to sell them all year round. Because there are not many such outlets in the county you may try to buy fireworks on-line.
“This is fine – but an adult must sign for them on delivery,” said Graeme.
It is illegal to sell fireworks from a market or car boot sale.
“If you see them being sold in this way, walk away and let Trading Standards know on 01243 642124 – because not only is the seller committing an offence, there’s no guarantee the fireworks themselves will be safe.”
Storing fireworks at home:
“This is really a matter of common sense – keep the fireworks in their original packaging and away from any sources of ignition,” said Graham
The Firework Code:
The main points of the Code are:
• Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable.
• Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time.
• Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary.
• Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back.
• Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks.
• Never return to a firework once it has been lit.
• Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them.
• Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators.
“Finally, we would remind people to be a good neighbour and bear in mind it is illegal to let off fireworks after 11pm,” said Graeme.
Pete Bradbury, County Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Our Trading Standards Service has issued this timely advice because we want everyone to enjoy their Royal Wedding celebrations, while at the same time staying safe.”
More information on firework safety is available from the Royal Society for the Protection of Accidents (RoSPA) at www.saferfireworks.com
Young stars of the night at West Sussex’s answer to the Oscars
Young people became prom kings and queens in an American-themed awards night celebrating their achievements in youth projects.
The Oscar style event – dubbed the YOFSCARs – was organised by young people to honour their peers, aged 11-19, who took part in three competitions.
The ‘Fear Horror House’, based in Crawley, was awarded ‘Best Youth Opportunity Fund (YOF) Project’. It was built with just £350 from the YOF to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice. With 12 friends from the local drama school who volunteered as “scare” actors, Sean Rouse raised more than £200 for the charity.
Organisers/planners of the event and judges of the awards - James Line, Kate Moore, Rebecca Bray, Callum Buxton, Jamie White, Boz Mc Fadden, Kolbi Hayes, James Hunter, Sophie Bowler, Madeleine Scutt, Will Chrystal
The West Sussex Children In Care Council (CICC) won ‘Best Locality Youth Forum’ for producing a user-friendly care assessment booklet with social services, and one for young people entering the care system.
The CICC has also held three consultation events giving children and young people in care a voice on how to improve services they use. It has also been working with the Corporate Parenting Panel to produce a pledge from West Sussex County Council, to get the best care provided.
Worthing Youth Council won ‘Best Community Project’ for producing schemes that have had a positive effect on the community. One of these projects involved an exchange visit with Worthing’s twin town in Germany. It has also created the ‘Use It Don’t Abuse It’ environmental campaign that was supported by Norwich Union and the volunteer organisation V.
The three organisations were awarded £500 each. Former County Council Cabinet Member Pat Arculus and Youth Mayor Matthew Badcock gave out the cheques.
Nigel Peters, West Sussex County Council Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Families, and Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, also gave out awards for Takeover Day, where young people get the chance to ‘take over’ job roles in organisations, including the County Council.
Nigel said: “The night was a great example of young people’s achievements, giving their peers the chance to benefit from activities and services available to them.”
Young people, who have benefited from Youth Opportunity and Youth Capital funding, gave performances, from cheerleading and steel band playing to boxercise and circus acts.
A day of fun takes place at Goffs Park on Saturday 23rd April.
To celebrate Easter and St George’s Day, the Friends of Goffs Park have set up a range of family-friendly events in the park.
The fun starts at 10am when hot cross buns will be served with tea, coffee and squash.
Activities include an egg hunt, egg painting, children’s tombola and egg and spoon races for children and parents. Eggs, paints and spoons will be supplied.
Morris dancers will entertain the crowds at 2.30pm and 3.30pm and Shakespeare readings take place at 2pm and 3pm. Meet at the pitch and putt kiosk for all activities.
If the weather is bad the morris dancing and Shakespeare readings will take place in St Peter’s Church on Ifield Road, West Green.
For more information call Tony Coles on 01293 527402.
Crawley Community and Voluntary Service (CCVS)provides invaluable advice and support to local charities, voluntary organisations and community groups. Now you can help us help others just by going shopping. We have teamed up with one of the UK’s largest shopping destinations so local people can support the work of CCVS on eBay.
eBay.co.uk is the largest e-commerce site in the UK. Individuals and registered businesses can use the site to buy and sell items and it is estimated that eBay has approximately 18 million unique visitors.
CCVS is one of almost 5000UK charities that are currently registered with eBay for Charity which helps charities and their supporters raise funds by trading on the eBay marketplace.
You can list an item with eBay and help the work of CCVS or another registered eBay charity today by donating a percentage of the selling price. You can decide exactly what percentage of the final selling price you would like to donate and every time you list an item for CCVS, you receive a credit on your final value fees. So if you donate 50% of your selling price, eBay will waive 50% of your fee.
Buyers can shop knowing they are supporting a good cause and sellers can donate a percentage from any sale and add Gift Aid to their donations. And if you have a PayPal account, you can also make a cash donation.
You can find out more by visiting our homepage on eBay. Just click on the blue and gold ribbon logo and follow the link to the ‘favourite charity’
Whether you list an item, donate or pass this information to a friend, it’s the perfect way to make a difference while doing what you do every day on eBay.
You can find out more about the work of CCVS by visiting our website at: www.crawleycvs.org or telephone on 01293 657000 and ask for Paul Schrade or David Clay.
A month-long Olympic-inspired festival of dance will be held in July.
Dance in Motion is part of Crawley in Motion, the name for sporting, cultural and community projects taking place in the town in the next 18 months, all inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The events, co-ordinated by Crawley Borough Council, K2 Crawley and Crawley Schools Sports Partnership, will include demonstrations and lessons of all types of dance, from ballet to street and Bollywood to Zumba.
The council would also like to encourage any dance schools or acts in the area who are interested in taking part in Dance in Motion to come forward and contact Marie Ovenden at Crawley Borough Council on 01293 438328.
The highlights are:
• Saturday July 2, 11am-5pm – Join Crawley Festival Mainstage for Bollywood, Portuguese, Irish, contemporary and street dancing demonstrations in Memorial Gardens. Free
• Sunday July 3, 2-4pm – Learn basic salsa moves at Maidenbower Community Centre. £2 per person
• Saturday July 9, 2-3pm – Zumba for you! at the Bewbush Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 10, 12 noon-2pm – Le Roc (modern jive), lesson from 12 noon-1pm, practice from 1-2pm at Ifield Community Centre. £2 per person
• Friday July 15, 7.30-9.30pm – Beginners’ ballet at Northgate Community Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 17, 10am-12 noon – Tap for beginners at Langley Green Community Centre. £2 per person
• Sunday July 24, 12 noon-4.30pm – Finale Day at K2 Crawley including beginners’ ballroom, Michael Jackson workshop, street class, children’s dance party and a grand ball. A free crèche and free climbing wall sessions will also be available from 12 noon-2pm. Places are limited so please book in advance with K2 Crawley.
The full line-up of events will be published in May. For more information or to reserve a place at any of these classes please call 01293 438328.
The Hawth’s Classical Season continues this spring with exceptional performances from some of the most highly regarded performers in the business. This May sees a welcome return for some old favourites plus a first time visit from a living legend.
On Sunday 1 May at 3pm legendary baritone Sir Willard White presents a spellbinding performance of Paul Robeson Re-Explored. Joined by a group of outstanding musicians incorporating the renowned Pavao Quartet, they pay tribute to the great Paul Robeson, along with a selection of other music from George and Ira Gershwin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Jerome Kern and Duke Ellington.
Tickets: £20.50
Later in the month on Sunday 22 May 7.30pm the renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra complete their trio of performances of the Great Composers with a celebration of the work of Ludwig van Beethoven.
Local rising star, pianist Warren Mailley-Smith joins the orchestra to perform The Fidelio Overture providing a glorious opening to the concert, followed by the ‘Emperor’ Piano Concerto, one of the most majestic and soulfully beautiful piano concertos. The legendary Fifth Symphony, one of the most popular symphonies in the classical repertoire completes the programme. Tickets: £28 (first four rows: £22)
Before the concert at 6.30pm Dave Billinge introduces Beethoven’s Symphony No.5, with an informative and entertaining 30 – 40 minute Pre-show talk.
Tickets: £3.75. Hawth Friends and students who have booked for the concert: Free
Why not make your evening even more special and enjoy a 3 course set meal in the Spotlight restaurant prior to the concert (from 5pm). Tickets: £16.75. Please book in advance at the Box Office.
To book your tickets call The Hawth Box Office on 01293 553636 or visit www.hawth.co.uk.
Town voters have got just four days to register to vote.
Borough elections and a UK-wide referendum are taking place on Thursday May 5 and Crawley Council is urging residents to make sure they have a chance to vote.
The final deadline is Thursday April 14 and there’s still time to register for a postal vote too. Just call Electoral Services on 01293 438346 or print off the form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
You may have received publicity material about the referendum through your door which includes a postal vote application form.
Please be aware this application is for a postal vote in the referendum only and you will still need to request a postal vote from Crawley Council or visit your local polling station on May 5 to vote in the borough elections.
Twelve seats on Crawley Borough Council are up for grabs in the borough elections.
This year there are elections in every council ward except Broadfield North, Broadfield South and West Green. This is because the council is elected in thirds, which means the council holds elections in three years out of four, with a few different wards not having an election each year.
Elections are your chance to influence the way your town is run. It’s your democratic right to vote for the candidates of your choice. But only those who are on the electoral register by April 14 will be able to vote.
The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on Thursday May 5 is: “At present, the UK uses the ’first past the post’ system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the ‘alternative vote’ system be used instead?”
The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, will send a booklet to every household in the UK with information about how to have your say on May 5.
For more information call Andrew Oakley, Electoral Services Manager, on 01293 438346 or email andrew.oakley@crawley.gov.uk or visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk
This Sunday 10th April at 10.30am we are gathering hundreds of people in Tilgate Park, Crawley, for the filming of the Dromos viral campaign (if you’re not sure what Dromos is check it out here (http://www.dromosfestival.co.uk/) We are looking for as many actors and extras as possible to make the scene look incredibly busy. Ideally if actors can bring musical instruments that would be even better, they don’t need to be able to play (but if you can impress us with some music that would be incredible) but it’s just to add to the scene.
The campaign will be filmed by Urban Theory Films (http://www.urbantheoryfilms.co.uk/) who are always on the look out for actors in other projects, so this experience to meet them could certainly lead to further opportunities. The filming will continue until about 5pm although if you can just make it for an hour or more that would still be great.
The Meeting Place: Tilgate Park, Car Park. Date: Sunday 10th April Time: 10:30am Nearest Train Station: Three Bridges. Map: Click Here… Person to contact when you arrive: Russell on 07902025393 The shoot itself might involve rolling down some hills so please don’t wear your best gowns.
If you would like any further information about the shoot please contactmartin@dromosfestival.co.uk
It will be a very exciting day and film that will be getting maximum exposure as we are working with companies in the US to increase it’s impact! Also please look to our website or facebook pages to discover how you can become involved in Dromos Festival directly!
On Friday 11th of March at 8pm 119 people packed out Hazelwick school to “Zumba for a reason”
That reason was to raise awareness and funds for The Cystic Fybrosis Trust, Organised by Joanne Cooper.
Cystic Fibrosis affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, by clogging them with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and digest food.
* Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis.
* Each week, two young lives are lost to Cystic Fibrosis.
* Average life expectancy is 38 years.
I didn’t realize just how many people around me are affected by Cystic fybrosis until I started organizing the event. Mums at my childrens school spoke to me about there experiences, ladies in my classes, A neighbor of mine even knocked to donate £30 as she had lost a close friend to CF.
Lots of fantastic local instructors gave up there spare time to come down and to teach for everyone…. Vicky Hayes, Mandi Zumba lloyd, Sarah Cubitt, Ellie Cubitt, Sarah Broadley, Sarah Ray, Jayne Nicola and Nicole Wizotzki.
We Zumba’ed for a full hour and a half and raised £1090.08!!!
We had a special surprise at the end of the evening. The wonderful Sam Kenneally who attends Joanne’s Wednesday class sang the last song for everyone… bringing the night to a fantastic end….
Thank you to everyone who donated xxx
7:45pm till 8:45pm
Zumba
Hazelwick School
South Hall
Mill Lane
Three Bridges
Crawley
RH10 1SX
Ahead of the game with health and wellbeing agenda
West Sussex will be served by a new Health and Wellbeing Board a year early, after being selected as an ‘early implementer’ by the Department for Health.
West Sussex County Council has been working with local partners on proposals in recent months and has now announced the formal establishment of a Board which will meet for the first time in May.
The Boards form part of the Government’s reforms of the NHS and have to be in place everywhere by April 2012.
West Sussex has a strong history of partnership working between the County Council and health organisations, and is setting up a shadow Board a year early.
County Council Leader Louise Goldsmith explained: “We are well placed in West Sussex to meet the proposed health changes and are working closely with our partners.
“Health and wellbeing is a priority for the County Council, and we are at the forefront of local authorities, leading the way on public health. As such, we have been selected as an ‘early implementer’ by the Department of Health.”
Over the next year the shadow Board will help shape the future of the health service in West Sussex as the changes are rolled out nationally, and will help influence key decisions about the future of health provision.
Following the shadow year, the work of the Board will be reviewed and then formally established in April 2012.
Louise added: “Local authorities and the NHS have a strong history of working together in West Sussex. We already jointly commission many of our services together. We have introduced personal budgets for social care and health, and work with districts and boroughs on Health and Wellbeing partnerships across the county.
“Establishing the Board will allow us to move further and faster on the joint working between health, social care and public health for the benefit of residents.”
Early roles for the Board will include giving feedback on NHS West Sussex’s Operating Plan for 2011/12, reviewing plans for jointly commissioned services (mental health, learning disability, drugs and alcohol, children’s services and continuing care) and looking at priorities for West Sussex, and a review of the plans for the £8.9 million of social care funding which has been allocated to NHS West Sussex as part of the Government spending review.
Members of the Board will include representatives from the County Council, District and Borough Councils, voluntary sector, the new GP consortia and health officials.
Crawley MP Welcomes Help For The Poorest Local Children Through The Pupil Premium
Henry Smith has welcomed new figures which show that disadvantaged children in Crawley are set to receive £683,000 this year under the Coalition Government’s new ‘pupil premium’.
The pupil premium is a new policy promised by the Conservatives before the general election last year. It is an extra lump sum of cash which follows every disadvantaged child and is received by schools, allowing them to provide additional support such as one-to-one tuition and extra pastoral care.
The Government has announced that in the year from April 2011, the pupil premium will be worth £430 for every pupil on Free School Meals, £430 for every looked-after child, and £200 for every child who has a parent in the armed services. This means that in Crawley this year 1,590 children overall will benefit from the £683,000 funding.
Henry Smith said:
“This is fantastic news for young people in Crawley. The gap between the academic performance of children from deprived backgrounds and their peers is far too big and has been ignored for too long.
“The pupil premium will tackle this disparity head on, providing targeted funding for those who need it most. This could mean extra one-to-one tuition or more pastoral support.
“The Government didn’t create these problems but, even in these tough times, it is delivering a massive boost to the education of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.”
