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Long way to go with academies
GRUMBLINGS of discontent surrounding the decision to turn schools into academies appear to be shared by parents.
GRUMBLINGS of discontent surrounding the decision to turn schools into academies appear to be shared by parents.
Mums and dads have been less than keen to sign their children up to the Leeds academies set to open in September, with many still less than half-full.
Commentators remain uneasy about the controversial role of private sponsors in the shaping and running of city academies.
Yet the reluctance of parents to enrol their children in them may stem more from a basic desire to get them into better schools.
There is a strong sense that some are using the changeover as an opportunity to jump ship for schools with better exam results.
And who could blame them? Especially when the jury is still out on whether the academy model is the right way to school our children.
No doubt bosses at Education Leeds expected it would take time for academies to be accepted by the public.
However it looks like they've still got a lot of convincing to do if teachers aren't going to be greeted by rows of empty desks come September.
Worthy winners
STORIES to inspire us all emerge from this year's Woman of Achievement Awards.
Yorkshire Evening Post Award winner Teresa Felton has spent the last quarter of a century raising cash to provide everything from cookers and carpets to Christmas presents for hard-up Leeds famililes.
Anita Cormac's free cookery buses have travelled the country, teaching thousands of people how to cook every year.
The death of Vanda Bingley's husband from alcoholism led her to set up her own holistic healing centre to help addicts.
And overall winner Jackie Whiteley has battled back from the tragic death of her young son to build a successful business, judges praising her for her inspirational attitude and will to succeed in a male-dominated industry.
All worthy winners, these women have shown courage and determination to beat the odds and make a difference both to their own lives and those of others.
Congratulations to them all on their achievements and their awards.
True lifesaver
UNLIKE most dads, Martin Hepworth didn't want son Harry to follow in his foosteps and inherit his heart defect.
Unfortunately he did and the four-year-old was unable to walk for more than a hundred yards without needing to climb back into his pushchair.
Thankfully the same surgeon who operated on Martin's heart was also on hand to fix Harry and knew exactly what he was looking for.
No wonder the family are so grateful to Nihal Weerasena for his lifesaving work that shows the NHS at its very best.
Looks like the Hepworths will have one more name to add to the Christmas card list this year.
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Weather for Leeds
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
