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Students, teachers and school leaders from across the North East have received national recognition for their achievements and for making stand-out contributions to their communities.
Schools Minister, Baroness Berridge joined this year’s virtual prize giving ceremony, praising the winners for their achievements, including Tom Smith, winner of the Pupil Academic Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize, alongside the Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson who also appeared in a video message to the winners congratulating them on their accomplishments.
Tom, from St Leonard’s Catholic School, Durham, was one of over 40 young people nominated for the Prize, and was today hailed by Baronness Berridge as ‘an example to us all’ for his achievements both academically and for giving up his time to care for his mother, and 14 year old family friend, William, who has learning difficulties.
Tom Smith, winner of the Pupil Academic Lord Glenamara Memorial Prize, said:
I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Department for Education for recognising young peoples’ commitments to their community. I was shocked when I heard that I had won as my responsibilities are primarily in one-on-one care- working with both my mum, as a young carer, and my friend with Down’s Syndrome.
This recognition is wonderful news for everyone like me, and I think by focusing on the work of individuals for individuals, awards like this will help to bring to light all of the amazing work people do every day for one another. I am humbled to receive this award, and accept it on behalf of every young carer and community-minded person, as a symbol of the government’s recognition of us.
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
I am thrilled that we are able to recognise the exceptional winners of the expanded Lord Glenamara Memorial awards. All winners and those that were nominated, are champions of their communities and they should be immensely proud of their achievements, especially in the face of the additional challenges we have all had to overcome this year.
The student winners all demonstrate the huge potential that exists in the North East. The staff are exceptional educators, who will stop at nothing in supporting the young people in their care to fulfil their ambitions.
I will continue to use the resources of government to support education in the North East, in particular through our Opportunity North East programme, making sure we drive and inspire the excellence on show at the awards across the region.
This year there were nine winners of the prestigious Lord Glenamara prize, an annual award that shines a spotlight on talent from across the North East. Further prize categories were added this year to celebrate the great achievements and talents from young people across the region in technical education, emerging teaching talent and also those involved in pastoral care and careers education. The increased scope of the prize forms part of Opportunity North East (ONE), a programme aimed at improving educational and employment outcomes in the region.
Baroness Berridge also congratulated this year’s new Pupil Technical Award winner, Mufshana Yasmin from the City of Sunderland College, for her outstanding achievement in Psychology and Health and Social Care. Mufshana, who is following her ambition to become a nurse, has been carrying out work experience at a local hospital, whilst also giving her time to volunteer at the Alice House Hospice Charity Store.
Mufshana Yasmin, winner of the Pupil Technical Award, said:
When I was informed that I had won the Lord Glenamara award I was ecstatic. This is the first time I have received such a prestigious award so I am extremely grateful that my hard work and dedication to my studies has been recognised.
My parents are a big driving force behind my achievements as they support me unconditionally, encouraging me to work harder. I was also able to rely on my teachers, no matter how many questions I bombarded them with.
I am currently in the middle of my adult nursing degree, with the hope of graduating with excellent results. Qualifying as a registered nurse will enable me to help people through challenging times like what we’re all currently facing.
Other prizes awarded this year include:
The Lord Glenamara Prize was first Introduced by the Department for Education in 2012, in memory of former Education Secretary and Newcastle MP Ted Short. The award forms part of the Government’s commitment to level up and raise aspirations for children in the North East, which the Opportunity North East (ONE) programme is helping to drive forward. The programme was launched in October 2018 and is backed by up to £24 million. It aims to improve educational and employment outcomes and boost young people’s aspirations in the North East.
Through this programme the Department for Education has committed to addressing five main challenges that exist across the region:
Today’s celebration follows last week’s virtual ONE Strategic Board which focused on maximising the impact of the programme in the current context and agreeing actions to support ONE Vision schools moving toward an Ofsted judgement of good.
Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to UN Special Coordinator Mladenov for his briefing.
The United Kingdom has continued to support the progress made on normalising relations between Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Israel. We hope others will follow suit for the benefit of the whole region, and we therefore welcome Friday’s statement from the Governments of Sudan, Israel and the United States of America on the normalisation of relations between Israel and Sudan. As Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said, “this step is a boost for the democratic transition in Sudan and peace in the region.”
Last month, Mr President, I stated that such agreements represent a profound shift in the region, a shift which must now proceed in parallel with steps to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. There is much to be done to rebuild trust. The suspension of the threat of annexation was the first step on this road. It must now become permanent. It is vital that the Palestinian Authority resumes cooperation with Israel and that the Israeli and Palestinian leaderships come together in dialogue to pursue the path of peace. That is the consistent message of my Foreign Secretary.
To rebuild trust, we must see an end to the detrimental action on the ground. Mr President, we are particularly concerned by the announcement on 15 October of nearly 5,000 settlement units, many deep in the West Bank. The expansion of settlements violates international law and is a counterproductive step in light of the positive developments I’ve spoken of between Israel and its neighbours. Alongside European partners, the United Kingdom has made clear our strong opposition to this latest settlement advancement.
The United Kingdom also remains concerned about demolitions of Palestinian buildings and evictions of Palestinians from their homes across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Demolitions and evictions in 2020 have proceeded at a concerning pace.
Mr President, the UK is seriously concerned by the possible demolition by Israeli authorities of a Palestinian school funded by the international community in Ras Al-Tin. The right to education is basic, and it is essential to have a strong and thriving Palestinian education system in order to provide opportunities for the next generation. We call on Israel to halt such actions.
Mr President, the United Kingdom has expressed our concern of the increase in settler violence, the destruction of olive trees and the stealing of projects coinciding with the Palestinian olive harvest. As the occupying power, the Israeli security forces must provide appropriate protection to the Palestinian civilian population.
And in Gaza, while relative calm has resumed, the Israeli Defense Force’s discovery on 22 October of a tunnel penetrating dozens of yards into Israeli territory is of great concern. There have also been further rocket launches this month and a return to launching IED “balloons” by Gaza’s militant groups. The UK condemns such indiscriminate attacks against Israeli civilians. We continue to call upon Hamas and other terrorist groups to permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. These negative actions must stop. We urge the parties instead to pursue confidence-building measures to build the foundations of future final status discussions. The Palestinian Authority must resume cooperation with Israel. We urge progress on economic issues and the facilitation of trade. Settlements, demolitions and evictions must stop. Rocket fire and incitement will not be tolerated.
Mr President, the United Kingdom remains committed to taking forward progress on efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. We continue to support a two-state solution, based on 1967 lines, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. We restate our support for regional and international efforts aimed at facilitating a peace process. Ultimately, there is no substitute for direct talks between the Palestinians and Israel, which is the only way to reach a sustainable peace.
Thank you, Mr President.
Following close discussions with local leaders, Warrington will move from local COVID alert level ‘high’ to ‘very high’ from 00.01 on Tuesday 27 October. This means that new measures will come into place including:
In addition, following discussions with local leaders it was agreed that from 00.01 on Tuesday 27 October additional closures will include betting shops, adult gaming centres, casinos and soft play centres and areas.
The rate of COVID-19 infections is rising rapidly across the UK. The case rate in England stood at 180.6 people per 100,000 from 12 October to 18 October, up from 100 people per 100,000 for the week 25 September to 1 October. Cases are not evenly spread, with infection rates rising more rapidly in some areas than others.
In Warrington, infection rates are among the highest in the country and are continuing to rise rapidly, with case rates at 361 people per 100,000 among all age groups. Although infection rates were originally higher in the younger population, we are now seeing rises in the older population with case rates at 217 per 100,000 for over 60s, which is a 20% rise on the previous week. In order to reduce these numbers and ensure that the NHS isn’t overwhelmed and has capacity to treat other conditions, we need to act now. As of 20 October there are 117 confirmed COVID-19 cases in hospital in this area, with 17 mechanical ventilation beds occupied by confirmed COVID-19 patients.
To support the local community during this period, the government will be providing a financial support package of £1.68 million as well as £4.2 million in business support funding. This will support local contact tracing, the enforcement of restrictions, and the provision of further local-level data. This is in addition to the £1 billion of funding for local councils the Prime Minister set out on Monday 12 October.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said:
Infection rates are rising in Warrington, and we have agreed with local leaders that it’s time to take action. I know that these new measures will mean sacrifices must be made by the people in Warrington, and I want to extend my thanks to each and every one of them for recognising the severity of the situation and sticking to the rules.
We have agreed a support package designed to help businesses while boosting efforts to control the virus locally, and will not hesitate to take similar action in any area of the country if infection rates continue to rise. Please remember: now is the time for us all to work together to get this virus under control.
Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said:
I thank local leaders in Warrington for the productive discussions we have had to help get the virus under control in the area as quickly as possible.
I’m pleased that we were able to reach an agreement that ensures swift action is taken in accordance with public health advice. I recognise the huge impact this will have on the area and sacrifices that will need to be made. That’s why we have agreed an extensive package of support for local people, businesses and the council.
The restrictions we have agreed together will only be in place for as long as they are absolutely necessary. They will be reviewed jointly in 28 days’ time.
The government is working closely with local leaders as we tackle this challenge together, for the benefit of all the people of Warrington.
All available data for the areas that move to ‘local COVID alert level: very high’ has been assessed by the government, including the Health and Social Care Secretary, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC), Public Health England (PHE), the Chief Medical Officer and the Cabinet Office. Data assessed includes incidence, test positivity and the growth rate of the virus.
It is essential that these outbreaks are contained to protect lives and our NHS, and prevent greater economic damage in the future. We face a new challenge as we head into the winter, and we know that even mild cases of COVID-19 can have devastating consequences for people in all age groups, along with the risk of long COVID. Our strategy is to suppress the virus while supporting the economy, education and the NHS. Local action is at the centre of our response, and engagement with local authorities is, and will continue to be, a key part of this process.
On 12 October, the government introduced a new, simplified framework for local interventions based around 3 new local COVID alert levels.
The postcode checker shows which alert level applies in each area.
The NHS COVID-19 app will also direct people to this information.
Warrington will receive £1.68 million net from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund, including £630,042 previously committed at ‘high’ alert level, as well as £4.2 million in business support funding.
We have provided £3.7 billion of funding to local authorities in England to respond to pressures in all their services. The Prime Minister also announced on Monday 12 October additional COVID-19 funding of £1 billion, which will provide local authorities to protect vital services.
Over £900 million of this funding will be provided to councils for their ongoing work to support communities during the pandemic, and it brings the total funding provided directly to councils during the pandemic so far to £6.4 billion. This includes £4.6 billion in un-ringfenced funding, £1.1 billion from the Infection Control Fund, £300 million to support Test and Trace as well as funding allocated to councils from the new local alert level system and a number of grants to support communities and vulnerable people. Councils can also claim funding through a compensation scheme for lost income from sales, fees and charges.
To address the ongoing challenges local authority leisure centres are facing, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has also confirmed £100 million will be used to introduce a new fund that will support council leisure centres most in need. Further details on the scheme will be set out shortly.
See guidance on each local COVID alert level.
Throughout the pandemic, the government has listened carefully to the views of the scientific community, in particular the information from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) and its sub-groups when taking decisions on the best way to tackle the pandemic.
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