City goes to Parliament

Today Greg Mulholland listed Early Day Motion 133

"This House ... Objects to the proposed closure of City of Leeds School; recognises the importance of exam results in ascertaining the success of schools but further recognises that they are not the only barometer for success, especially in a school like City of Leeds which has such a diverse range of students attending; notes that results in City of Leeds have also suffered due to constant speculation about the school's future; believes the school provides an invaluable service to its pupils, their parents and the surrounding community; notes the expert provision at City of Leeds for a large number of students for whom English is not their first language; is concerned that closing the school will result in pupils having to travel further to receive an education and possibly incurring extra costs resultantly; furthermore that closure of the school will damage the surrounding community by making the area less attractive for young families."

read the Guardian article from John Baron here

This is such a coup for the school, we have been working very hard towards it and finally it is here - I would love to see the look on Chris Edwards' face this morning.

next step:

getting the petition to support the EDM up to speed

please sign it here

Greg Mulholland has done us proud, a shame that Hilary Benn's name doesn't appear alongside Greg's as we had hoped.

Bias in high places?

I've been waiting all week to see if Education Leeds or the YEP make any mention of City of Leeds passing its Ofsted.

The official report came out on Wednesday but it was public knowledge and on Guardian Leeds on-line on the 13th May.

Not a word!

Need I say more.

OFSTED supports City of Leeds

In the report to the Executive Board on 17th April 2010 Education Leeds stated that:

"Although the school’s latest inspection report cited the school’s strengths, the new inspection framework contained much higher expectations of schools, and the school is judged to be at risk of going into an OfSTED category requiring significant improvement or special measures."

On Friday 7th May City of Leeds School was inspected by Ofsted with less than 24 hours notice.

And passed!!!!

Satisfactory progress on all action points from last inspection no need for early re-inspection

... so Education leeds assertion that the school would fail an inspection under the new more rigorous inspection regime has like most of their assertions proved groundless!

Well done, City of Leeds!

We now need to write objecting to the closure before 28th May 2010
(Unfortunately the statutory notice doesn't have an email address)

Please write to:

The Chief Executive
Education Leeds
FAO School Organisation Team
9th Floor West
Merrion House
110 Merrion Centre
Leeds LS2 8DT


The school organisation team does have an email address but it is probably safer to write as well as email:
educ.school.organisation@educationleeds.co.uk

May Day Rally

The traditional May Day Rally is on Saturday too.

We want to see as many people from the three threatened schools and Royal Park there as possible - bring your placards and banners and help make our voice heard.

There will be a stall where you can buy badges, pick up information and sign the petition to keep City of Leeds as a local school for local children

Meet up at 12 noon outside the Art Gallery on the Headrow


We're all going to the benefit after the rally - you can do both!

Don't forget our benifit for city of Leeds and Unity this weekend

Crazy day for a fundraiser ie. Live in Leeds mayhem happening however on offer something different.
Note any band or friends want to participate in the footie your welcome.

May the 1st at the Burley Liberal Club is FREEBOOTER

A Hyde Park Unity Day Fundraiser with activities for people of all ages -

A MAY DAY EXTRAVAGANZA!

FREE FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 1-7PM
Under 12's - 1-3pm
12-16 year olds - 3-5pm
Open Age (16+) 5-7pm

This will be 7-a-side (possibly 5-a-side for the under 12’s) there will be trophies to be won, not just for the winners, for the best players & we will be giving out certificates for effeort & fairplay awards… Plus of course there will be the famous Hyde Park Unity Day wooden spoons for miss of the tournament or any hilarious on-field calamities!

To enter a team in advance contact JohnFutsal@mail.com (free to enter, we suggest a donation to participating adult teams)

STEEL BAND SHOWCASE 3-6PM - see 3 of Leeds' finest Steel Bands playing an outdoor marquee!

East Leeds Steel 3-4pm
Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows 4-5pm
Foxwood Steel Bandits 5-6pm

We are also running a BBQ (catering for vegetarians & people who are Halal), it should be lit from 3pm-7.30pm.

We are having some chaps & chapesses down from Leeds Circus Society to perform some circus skills. They will be performing juggling & tricks & running some workshops for people wanting to try. We may be treated to a show of Fire breatheing in the evening.

http://www.circsoc.com/

There will be a chance to watch or take part in Live art with BAMBOO KID.

We are holding doing a raffle to raise funds + raise awareness of the proposed closure of City of Leeds High School – one of the last couple of remaining inner city High Schools in Leeds, which is being threatened with closure despite continually passing it’s ofstead inspections.

And there will be Live Acts from a variety of genres + a a DJ going on upstairs in the evening from 7pm+. A £3 donation to Unity Day is required on the door. Playing:

Sounds of Sirens (indie / rock) - 8.20pm
Ols Moore & the Gypsy Dogs (Gypsy / folk / alt) – 9.10pm
Alphabetix (Hip-hop rhyming crew) – 10.00pm
MC No Change (Hip-Hop) 11.00pm - promoting his new Album, land of the lost available on crackhouse records)
Naffdog (gonzo / electronica) 12.00 midnight
+ DJ Chat (spinning tunes of all genres in between acts).

So come down enjoy the fantastic variety events and put a smile on your face this May Day

Stand up for City and Unity benefit

May 1st at 12 noon is the kick-off for a fun-filled, family event to raise money for Hyde Park Unity Day and the Stand up for City campaign at the Burley Sports Club (Burley Liberal Club) on Burley Road.

Amongst other delights there will be 'free-booter' football for kids of all ages, a BBQ, a Steel pan showcase featuring East Steel, Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows (both of which are based at City of Leeds School) and Foxwood Steel Bandits, and various bands into the evening.

Come along and join in the fun

City of Leeds Petition

Stuart Long, an ex-pupil of City of Leeds School, has started a petition to try to prevent the closure of a great local school

Please, please, please sign it!