Leeds schools reach gold standard

Baltica School and Hamara Supplementary School achieved gold in the Quality Framework Awards for Supplementary Schools from the National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education, while La Petite Ecole, Persian Association and Vidia Sagar Cultural Group reached bronze.

Coun Jane Dowson, Leeds City Council’s deputy executive member for learning, said: “We are very proud of another year of success for our supplementary schools in Leeds.

“Our aim is to make Leeds the best city to grow up in, and these schools are helping us to achieve this.

“We are very proud of our diverse and multicultural city and these schools are an important part of many communities by helping children and young people to develop their knowledge and understanding of their own culture and community as well as supporting additional learning in traditional subjects.

“I would like to congratulate all of these schools on this fantastic achievement.”

The Quality Framework aims to recognise, celebrate, record and improve the achievements of schools that provide extra teaching outside of the traditional school week.

Each organisation must first complete the bronze award to show it has essential management and safeguarding procedures in place.

Many schools within the category have been set up by local voluntary and community groups, often relying exclusively on volunteers.