Monthly Archive 31 May 2023

A primary school in Grimsby is set to open some new school places offering specialist support to children with additional needs.

Littlecoates Primary Academy, part of Wellspring Academy Trust, is working with North East Lincolnshire Council to launch the new 12-place provision from September, specifically for children with communication and interaction needs.

The new provision – called Launch Pad – will be the first of its type in North East Lincolnshire, and will be specially designed to be a ‘turnaround provision’ for early years children and those in Key Stage 1 (aged 4, 5 and 6).

Turnaround provision is aimed at those children who have low level additional needs, where some short-term support can help them to adjust to mainstream school.

Councillor Margaret Cracknell, portfolio holder for children and education at North East Lincolnshire Council, welcomed the move:

“I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to work with the team at Littlecoates Primary and the wider Wellspring Academy Trust to make this a reality, and would like to thank them for their support with this initiative. This is the first of its kind in our area.

“Launch Pad is by no means a catch-all solution. Launch Pad will be a very small, focussed provision that can make a difference, over time, to a good number of students.

“There are a lot of children in our area who have some additional needs, but can continue successfully in a mainstream school provided that they receive some targeted support at a key point in their education journey.”

Neville Wilkinson, Principal at Littlecoates Primary, added: “At Littlecoates, our philosophy is all about creating an inclusive, innovative and exciting school environment where every child can learn, play and achieve together. The new Launch Pad initiative fits with that ethos perfectly and we’re looking forward to playing an important role in supporting more children with SEND and enabling them to stay in mainstream settings. Specialist support is essential in helping children with additional needs meet their potential and enjoy their school life. This new specialist service is going to be a fantastic asset for the whole community.”

North East Lincolnshire SEND team will manage admissions to this provision in line with the SEND Code of Practice (2015) via annual reviews of EHCPs. Parents and Professionals are advised not to contact the setting directly at this moment in time due to ongoing building works and mobilisation of this provision.

There will be opportunities to see the provision via the school and SEND Local offer website, as well as open days during the summer term.

Article and image from NELC.

SCARTHO Ward Councillor, Ian Lindley, has been sworn in as Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire during a special ceremony late last week.

The Worshipful The Mayor of the Borough of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Ian Lindley, was elected following his term as Deputy Mayor from May 2022 to May 2023.

The Mayor has appointed Mrs Helen Lindley as his Mayoress.

Outgoing Mayor and Ward Councillor for the East Marsh, Councillor Steve Beasant, was elected to the position of Deputy Mayor of North East Lincolnshire during the same Special Council Meeting. Mrs Carol Beasant has been appointed as his Deputy Mayoress.

Dignitaries, Councillors, members of the local community, friends and family members gathered at the Mayor Making ceremony on Thursday 18^th May 2023 to witness the election of the new Mayor and the exchanging of the official chains of office.

The Mayor is the first citizen of North East Lincolnshire and undertakes an important ceremonial role in and outside of the borough.

Shortly after being elected to the role, Councillor Ian Lindley expressed his joy and gratitude for the nomination:

“I’m incredibly grateful to Councillor Shepherd for his nomination and to my fellow Councillors for electing me.

“I first came to Grimsby during the early 1990s with work, and have stayed ever since. I am really passionate about this place and its people and I look forward to spending my Mayoral year getting out and meeting people in our community.”

Born in Nottingham, Cllr Lindley came to Grimsby on a 3-week contract as an Operating Department Practitioner in the 1990s and stayed on to continue working at the Diana Princess of Wales hospital.

Councillor Lindley has represented Scartho Ward since 2015.

The Mayor is not directly elected by the people and therefore holds no direct power. They are politically neutral in carrying out their Mayoral duties, and act as the Chair of Council meetings.

His Mayoral Year will run until May 2024, when a new Mayor will be elected. Councillor Lindley has chose Sunflowers Children’s Action Group and the Pink Rose Suite at Diana Princess of Wales Hospital as his Mayoral charities, and will be undertaking fundraising activities throughout his Mayoral year for these causes.

Article and images from NELC.