Virtual reality for children in care support

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 02:13:58 PM


People who are involved in promoting education outcomes for children in care will be able to access a hub of useful information and advice from Friday, 10 November, when the new virtual school website pages launch.


The pages include:


information on the virtual school what it is, its aims and how it supports education outcomes for children in care

information for children in care themselves on how to get the best out of their learning including information on termly personal education plans, where they can get help and who can support them.

Information for foster carers on how to support the education engagement of children in their care

Information for school designated teachers to support them in fulfilling their statutory duties to promote the education of children in care

Information for social workers to support their role as lead professional in promoting positive educational outcomes for children in care.


The welcome on the home page has been written by a young person in care and the initial concept for the design of the pages came from a child in care’s involvement in take over day when they took over the role of Virtual School Head for the day. The Care For Us Council has contributed to ideas for content.


There are also pages created to celebrate achievement and a space for children in care to share their top learning tips with other children. It is hoped that children in care, schools, and carers will contribute to the pages and the site will continue to grow.


Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for People (Achieving Potential) said: “I am delighted to announce the launch of the virtual school web pages. Barnsley Council, as corporate parent, has high aspirations for the children in its care and these new pages offer a wealth of information and advice to support the learning outcomes of children in care. I am particularly proud of the contribution of the children themselves.”


The webpages can be accessed at www.barnsley.gov.uk/virtualschool since Friday, 10 November.

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New students invited to Barnsley College's Open Day

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:54:42 PM


Potential new students will have the opportunity to find out about the wide range of study programmes offered at Barnsley College and Barnsley Sixth Form College at an Open Day on Saturday 25 November from 11.00am to 2.00pm.


Barnsley College and Barnsley Sixth Form College offers a range of full and part-time, vocational, Higher Education, A Level and Apprenticeship qualifications. With courses in Hair and Beauty, Health Sciences and Social Care Professions, Horticulture, Music, Media, Computing and Science, Catering and much more, there is something for everyone.


Visitors will have the opportunity to speak to tutors, attend presentations, find out about the range of support services available to them, take a look around the state-of-the-art buildings to see the fantastic facilities and see how the college helps its students to reach their potential.


The Open Day will be held at various college sites including the Sixth Form campus on St Mary's Place, the Old Mill Lane campus on Church Street, the Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) Centre on Old Mill Lane and the Construction Centre and Sports Academy at the Honeywell campus.


Barnsley College Principal Chris Webb said: "We understand that choosing the right college and the right course is a difficult decision. Here at Barnsley College we don't only offer a wide range of qualifications but also lots of support to help our students succeed and go on to achieve the career they want. Our Open Day is an ideal opportunity to find out more and to have a chat with our friendly and knowledgeable staff. We look forward to welcoming you to the college on Saturday 25 November."


With study programmes available from Entry Level to degree in over 100 subjects, studying a qualification at Barnsley College equips students with the necessary skills enabling them to achieve their career goals.


For more information call 01226 216 123, email info@barnsley.ac.uk

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More Barnsley children eligible to get the flu vaccine this winter

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:54:42 PM


Barnsley Council is backing Public Health England's plea to parents whose children have not yet been vaccinated against flu to do so before the winter flu season begins.


For the first time children in school year 4, along with children aged four and over in school years reception, 1, 2 and 3, can get their free flu vaccination, in the form of a nasal spray, in school.


The added school year means that more children can benefit from protection against the flu virus this coming winter.


Young children are particularly vulnerable to flu and are most likely to spread flu to others. Vaccinating them is one of the best ways to protect them and the wider community against flu.


Children aged two to three are also offered the nasal spray vaccine. While it is early in the season, currently only around 14 per cent of children in this age group have received their vaccination.


Last year, an estimated 62 per cent of two to four year olds and 45 per cent of school-age children missed out on getting the vaccine. This year our ambitions are for 65 per cent of all 2-8 year old to receive the vaccination.


Flu and complications associated with it cause 8,000 deaths on average a year in England. Around 6,000 of these are people with heart and lung disease.


Professor Paul Cosford, Director for Health Protection and Medical Director at Public Health England, said:


“Vaccinating those who are most likely to get flu both protects them and offers indirect protection to the rest of the population by reducing the amount of virus circulating.


“Flu can be much more dangerous for children than many parents realise and when children get flu they tend to spread it around the whole family.


“The child vaccination programme is really beneficial in reducing the spread of flu to other more vulnerable family members for whom flu can be very serious.”


Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, said: “Any child can catch flu, thousands do every year and some end up in hospital as a result. Parents should not be complacent - the single most effective way to protect your children against flu this winter is to get them vaccinated with the simple nasal spray.


“Children can be super spreaders so getting them vaccinated not only protects them but also those around them.”


The national drive to encourage eligible people to get their flu vaccination is part of Stay Well This Winter, a joint initiative Public Health England and NHS England to help the most vulnerable people prepare for winter and avoid having to visit hospital due to common winter illnesses.


The drive also aims to encourage eligible people with long-term health conditions to get the vaccine. People with respiratory diseases like COPD, emphysema or asthma are seven times more likely to die if they catch flu, and people with cardiovascular problems like chronic heart disease or angina, or who have had a stroke, are 11 times more likely compared to those who don’t. The risk is far worse for those with chronic liver disease, who are 48 times more likely to die if they get flu.


Around 6.3 million people under 65 in England have a long-term health condition and are more at risk of suffering potentially fatal complications from flu. Last year, uptake amongst high risk groups increased by 3.5% amongst eligible people. This year, more people than ever (around 21 million) will be offered the vaccination.


Reducing flu transmission by children in the community can has been found to help cut the number of GP appointments and unplanned admissions for children and adults, reducing winter pressures on the NHS.


Last year, over 1,000 people were admitted to Intensive Care or High Dependency Units with confirmed flu last winter, with 133 of these cases being fatal.


To get your vaccine or find out if you are eligible, contact your GP, pharmacist or midwife for more information. Visit nhs.uk/staywell for more details on how to help you and your family to stay well this winter.


The flu vaccination programme will be extended gradually to older age groups in primary school in future years.

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Christmas is coming to Barnsley Town Hall

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:54:42 PM


The Christmas count down has begun and Barnsley Council are delighted to be hosting an extravaganza of festive fun as they present Christmas at the Town Hall. The doors will be opening on Saturday 2 December between 10.30am and 2.30pm where Santa will be waiting to welcome residents to a winter wonderland for all the family.


Santa will be taking a break from his toy-making duties to meet local children in his grotto and hand out gifts to all the boys and girls on his ‘good’ list. He’ll be joined by his chief elves who’ll be inviting children into their workshop to take part in lots of exciting elf activities!


Joining the big man in red will be the Mayor of Barnsley, Cllr Jeff Ennis who’ll be offering children the experience of dressing up as a ‘mini Mayor’ by trying on the iconic mayoral robe and chains and taking a sneak peak inside the Council Chambers!


Guests can enjoy listening to live music as they kick start their Christmas shopping at one of the homemade craft stalls or whilst enjoying a mince pie or two! There’ll be festive face painting, Christmas cookie decorating, storytelling and the chance to get creative with plenty of Christmas arts and crafts.


Residents will also have the opportunity to chat to local councillors and ask questions about their role. Guests can also learn more about the services delivered by the council and what else the council can do to help them and their families.


Children (and adults if they wish) are invited to really get into the spirit of Christmas by attending the event in festive fancy dress - they’ll even receive a special gift for their efforts.


Speaking on behalf of the organising working group, Cllr Sharon Howard said: “We’re really excited to be bringing Christmas to the Town Hall. Whether you’re 1 or 101, there'll be something for everyone and it really will be a great way to kick start Christmas in style. Entry and activities are free, so please spread the word and we’ll see you there!”


To make sure Santa brings enough presents, he’s requested that residents register their place to attend and everyone that registers will be entered into a prize draw to win a secret Santa gift.


For more information and to register, please visit www.experience-barnsley.com, follow us on Facebook or Twitter @BarnsleyCouncil #barnsleycth17.

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Praise for polar bear conservation efforts

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:43:31 PM


The Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the Yorkshire Park Wildlife Park Foundation have been praised for its ‘commitment and dedication’ to saving endangered polar bears in the lead up to the international Polar Bear Week.


YWP and the charity, based at the innovative park, have been recognised for their tireless efforts to conserve the majestic animals whose Arctic habitat is shrinking because of global warming.


Meanwhile the award-winning attraction has a week of activities lined up for International Polar Bear week which began on November 5, to highlight the plight of polar bears and celebrate projects that are helping save them from extinction.


Climate change has triggered a reduction of the Arctic Sea ice where they roam and hunt, making their existence perilous.


But the park at Branton, near Doncaster, which has the country's four polar bears, is part of fight back that involves home-based research and support for schemes across the Arctic. During International Polar Bear week a collection will be made for the Foundation as well as talks on the bear's plight.


The park's ten-acre Project Polar, one of the biggest polar reserves in the world and home to Victor, Pixel, Nissan and Nobby, recently won a prestigious gold award for its design.


Project Polar is Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s flagship project and combines three key objectives, conservation, welfare and education working towards saving and improving the welfare of polar bears.


The Yorkshire Wildlife Park Foundation also recently sponsored a critical study that has filmed polar bear dens in the wilds of Svalbard, in Norway, to provide a wealth of critical data on their behaviour.


“We are eternally grateful for your involvement and we couldn’t do it without you,” stated the influential Polar Bears International organization stated.


The fieldwork was complex and challenging with the team having to install and maintain cameras in mountainous terrain with temperatures at minus 18C.


The team needed helicopter support to establish isolated monitoring and tracking system to give an accurate picture of how the polar bears are coping.


The studies will continue as scientists work out ways of protecting polar bears from global warming which has seen a reduction of their sea ice hunting and breeding grounds in all the 19 regions they inhabit in the Arctic.


Janet Stringer, of Polar Bears International stated: "We are extremely grateful to Yorkshire Wildlife Park and the Foundation for your continued dedication to polar bear science and educational programs which increase our understanding of their world and the threats they face. We are so happy for your ongoing support and we look forward to continuing our work together to help conserve polar bears and the sea ice they depend on.


The conservation group will celebrate International Polar Bear Week with the ‘Energy Challenge’, volunteers of the task are encouraged to protect the vulnerable species by using less energy produced by fossil fuels by reducing energy consumption in the home and walking to the workplace.


Foundation trustee Cheryl Williams added: “We are delighted to support Polar Bears International in its range of activities that will provide more knowledge and ways that we can help protect polar bears. The generosity of our supporters has helped fund research such as Svalbard Maternal Den study.”


YWP which puts conservation at the heart of all its activities, offers visitors a mesmerising walk through experience – coming almost face to face with some world’s most beautiful and at risk species, including Amur Leopards and Tigers, Giraffes, Lions, Rhinos and many more.

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Vet School success for Yorkshire Wildlife Park students

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:43:31 PM


A trio of students from Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s Ranger Academy have won prized places at veterinary colleges to pursue their dreams.


They were inspired by their spells at the Academy which runs week-long and two-day courses for 15 to 17-year-olds who want to learn more about becoming a vet, vet nurse or animal keeper.


The course, at the award-winning park, has helped several students’ progress into full-time careers working with animals. Another class of students is enjoying the courses this week.


''My time at YWP has definitely helped to prepare me for my future career” says Josh Saxon, 19, who graduated from both Ranger Academy courses, and is now studying Wild Animal Biology at the Royal Veterinary College, based in London.


“It was amazing to see and learn all about the wonderful animals at the Ranger Academy. We saw the lions and tigers up close, it was just incredible.”


The Academy provides unique experiences and realistic insights into animal husbandry with a mix of theory and practical assignments across the park at Branton, near Doncaster.


Students can get close to the park’s wide range of exotic animals, including the country's only four polar bears - Victor, Pixel, Nobby and Nissan – at Project Polar, one of the largest polar bear enclosures in the world.


“We saw them being trained and we hand fed them which was just an unforgettable and unique experience.” says Jack Rust, 18, from Retford, who is now studying Veterinary science at Bristol University.


“My Ranger Academy experience was fantastic and definitely played a huge part in helping me secure a place at Vet School. The education team are super friendly and approachable. They were so informative and encouraging.”


Students take part in practical workshops as well as watching presentations, demonstrations and animal training in action from the parks animal rangers as part of the Academy courses.


“I learnt so much and loved every second at the academy,” adds 18-year-old Frances Young, from Doncaster, who’s now studying Animal Conversation at the University of Cumbria.


“It’s all thanks to YWP and their courses that I got into university.”


Graduating from the academy strengthens a student’s CV and equips them with vital knowledge and experience as a foundation for future careers.


Successful students receive an award on completion of the course at the graduation ceremony as well as a photo library documenting their journey on the course and a reference statement.


Yorkshire Wildlife Park is home to more than 400 animals including giraffes, rhinos, Amur tigers and leopards and camels.


For full details of upcoming courses visit www.yorkshirewildlifepark.com. Dates are now available for 2018.

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Longley Park Open Day to be Held on Saturday

Latest news in Yorkshire: November 13, 2017 01:29:05 PM


Longley Park Sixth Form College will be holding its Open Event this Saturday, 18th of November 2017. The College will be open from 10am-2pm for potential new students to come along and find out more about the fantastic range of A Level and vocational courses available to study from September next year.


Young people and their parents will be able to talk to staff and take a look around the fantastic facilities available at the College. They will also get to speak to current students about their experiences at the College.


Representatives from Sheffield Hallam University and the Higher Education Progression Partnership will be there in their mobile classroom to discuss routes into university courses and help with any questions a young person might have about their future.


In the College plaza, prospective students can learn about the range of support and opportunities available at Longley Park. Staff will be available to talk about Student Finance, the Career Ready Programme and the specialised support available for high achieving students.

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