• St Augustine's School Expansion Solihull
    Some of the main concerns are: - The current situation caused by the build up of excessive traffic in the area dropping off and picking up from four schools already leads to minute-by-minute infringements of the parking regulations and inconsiderate / illegal / dangerous driving manoeuvres. - The traffic in the roads near St Augustine’s school is often at a standstill at peak times twice per day, and the plan proposes to double the amount of traffic. - The neighbourhood already faces the danger of a serious accident caused by this traffic. - Many houses are already at risk of being inaccessible by Ambulance, Fire Services, or Police during peak times. - Residents feel trapped inside their homes twice a day, especially at pickup time when thoughtless driving and parking is combined with abusive parents. - The proposed plan will double the number of cars visiting the school during each 'school run'. We believe that nearly 70% of parents at St Augustine’s live outside the area and travel by car this will increase the traffic from just this one school by at least 150 cars twice a day. - This volume of traffic and emissions has serious health implications for all the children at the four schools as well as the residents living nearby. - Despite the scientific evidence supporting the dangers of air pollution, some parents sit with their engine’s running whatever time of year. - The plan is intended to support children moving into semi-rural (relatively light traffic) areas of the borough by attracting them into the centre of town. This cannot be sustainable. Surely it is better to build another small school where the need is rather than bring people from miles around. - The three main roads leading from the schools campus - Widney Lane, Monkspath Hall Road, and Blossomfield Road each can have queues up to 10 minutes during the 'school run'. - An additional annual 120,000+ of car mileage and the noxious emissions resulting is likely to be incurred in transporting children to and from school as compared to a school based in Tidbury Green or Blythe Valley. - The acceptance of an initial increase of 210 children is likely to have a further knock-on effect when those children need to moving to the 'next-door' school - St. Peter's.
    315 of 400 Signatures
    Created by Roger Fitton
  • Legislate for 90 minutes playtime in a school day and make removal of it illegal
    As parents we are worried by reporting in the media of children’s mental health problems, obesity, screen time use and them having fewer opportunities to socialise. Whilst schools teach children academic subjects they are also required to promote opportunities for children to make friends and be inclusive. This is evidenced in many Education Health Care plans. Many schools are curtailing or removing playtimes as a punishment. Not only is this affecting children’s opportunities to socialise but it also deprives them of time to rejuvenate and compose themselves. Schools promote children’s health by issuing guidelines on healthy lunch boxes, internet safety and inviting parents to attend workshops on subjects such as anxiety, mental health and Adolescent Brain Development, yet at the same time deny children fresh air and exercise. This seems counterintuitive. The report highlights that play times have decreased on average by 45 minutes per week over the past 20 years and the majority of schools no longer have afternoon breaks. Children in urban areas are more affected, and those who have free school meals. Another group of children who may be particularly disadvantaged are those with disabilities. Amongst them, children with ADHD and autism need play time to use up excess energy and socialise. There are many families who may not be able to access costly after school clubs, who may not have safe areas for their children to play outside and therefore have limited social opportunities for children outside of school. School maybe the only place these children can socialise. Most importantly the report shows that children valued break times. Secondary school pupils felt that in particular lunchtime was too short. This finding reflects our personal experience from having children in secondary schools where sometimes they don’t have enough time to eat what they have bought in the canteen. We are aware of the problem of academic pressure on schools, the reported funding crisis and possible staffing issues that may be argued over providing legal play times, however this needs to be weighed up against the potentially enormous health benefits to children and whether these children would be more healthy and better able to attend to academic study. Teachers are increasingly finding themselves dealing with issues that can be attributed to children’s mental health and behaviour that may be linked to this. Teacher unions have successfully implemented legal break times for their members but no one has done this for the children. To that end we are asking that children from infant, primary and secondary schools receive one hour minimum for lunch and at least a morning and afternoon break time of 15 minutes, in total 90 minutes break time each day. Children’s play time needs to be set in legislation, not determined by individual schools and certainly not removed as punishments. Every child matters, help children achieve more.
    2,109 of 3,000 Signatures
    Created by Tanya Hatton
  • Stop schools closing to be polling stations during term time!
    Children who attend these schools lose a days education every time we have an election. 2 elections in may 2019 in the short 4 week half term. This not only means the children miss out on two days education but also means that working parents are pushed to find alternative childcare when they are at work. This could be easily avoided if the elections were planned during the school holidays or another alternative venue was used for the polling.
    40 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Laura Hargreaves
  • Keep Class DoJo St Andrew's Primary
    It is a fantastic way of communicating between school and home, the kids love it parents love it and it is safe secure way of keeping parents in the loop with what's going on, and fact that videos and pictures can be exchanged over class dojo and out with social media is a massive bonus
    24 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Nicola Lilley
  • Make Domestic Violence a Taught Subject
    This is important because we believe that even though Domestic Violence is known, its not fully understood. We want children to know that everyone can be abused in their lifetime, whether it be women, men or children. Through personal experience, I have seen what Domestic Violence can do and its effects on a persons physical and mental well-being.
    12 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Roisin O'Hara
  • Demand for left handed guitars
    Because kids can't learn or play the guitar if they are left handed because it will be upside down
    15 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Kobie Morris
  • Give Teaching Assistants a well earned payrise!
    Teaching Assistants are extremely valuable staff members within schools that have to take on so many different roles to cope with the growing numbers of children's needs. They need to have the same skills as: counsellors, nurses, social workers and physcologists as well as teaching and nurturing children to their full potential. They currently do not get an annual pay rise, in line with inflation and other rising costs. Only yesterday, I was trying to control a number of children who were screaming, jumping on tables and kicking a classroom door. Teaching assistants frequently have to deal with aggressive and sometimes violent behaviour, be it verbal or physical, often without proper training. The government's cuts to school's budgets have affected their ability to fund new resources and training which can leave staff vunerable. This also does nothing for their self esteem!! Please help these staff whom your children's teachers rely on!! Thank you :)
    58 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Jo Taylor
  • Free school meals review
    Children are suffering in secondary school If children are on free school meals they have no option but to spend it only what the school selected. This then hinders other kids that may want something the secondary has on their menu but cannot get it.I understand they want to save money. However, as a single parent I realised I am giving more money To my child than the full allowance a year the school are profitting I contacted my MP Bob and The head it is time we get this reviewed.
    22 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Margaret Adaarewa
  • Stand up for climate action students.
    The young people are showing us the way and we must listen to them. We have not responded to climate change quickly enough. We are running out of time. We need to stand up for what is right. We need to protect these young people. We need to stand with them.
    19 of 100 Signatures
    Created by Beth O'Leary
  • Help Support the opening of Hope Bridge SEN School
    There is not enough provisions for SEN children in the East Riding area. Children as young as 5 are having to travel long distances to gain access to education, which all children should be entitled to, nearer to there home. It is important to ensure that families are able to be closer to there childrens school incase of emergencies, and to be fully involved in there childs education...without worry of travel...
    1,331 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Julie Robinson
  • Save Welbeck Defence Sixth Form College
    "Aiming to produce the brightest and best Officers joining the Armed Forces through academic and sporting excellence, the scheme is an excellent proposition for anyone studying one of our approved degrees with an aspiration to work for the Armed Forces or Ministry of Defence". We need these sort of people to contribute to our nations defence and security.
    1,132 of 2,000 Signatures
    Created by Janice Aherne
  • Stop using strike cards
    We would like the teachers to support our children and not make them feel that they start everyday on a bad foot because their pen ran out or bad weather ruined their card
    246 of 300 Signatures
    Created by Tracy Szach Was Furniss