The Courier Online • 11th March 2021

A-Level exams: how will teacher assessed grades impact the upcoming freshers?

With the government’s January announcement that A-level and GCSE exams won’t be going ahead in 2021, the upcoming year of university students are left wondering the impact this will have on their future education

In early January, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson outlined how pupils will be graded after their summer GCSE and A-level exams were cancelled.

He said there will be “no algorithms whatsoever” to determine results and that the government is “putting trust firmly in teachers” to aw

Childhood Obesity in Newcastle • 14th January 2021

Newcastle’s childhood obesity epidemic

New data reveals that children in Newcastle are amongst the highest rates of obesity in England.

The study, commissioned by the National Child Measurement Programme, overseen by Public Health England, notes that the North East region has seen the greatest rise of obesity across England. The data is based on children in the schooling years of Reception and Year 6.

Between 2006-07 and 2018-19 Newcastle has seen an increase in obese children from 24.8% to 29.2% of those measured. This means the c

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

Government does U-turn on cuts to maintenance loans

The Department of Education (DfE) and the Student Loans Company (SLC) have been forced to reassess proposed lower rates for students living at home during lockdown

University students in England and Wales who to take out a maintenance loan are entitled to varying amounts based on the criteria of their living situation – specifically whether they are living at, or away from, their usual home during term time.

In Wales, the maximum maintenance loan and grant combination is £8,335 for commuters,

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

Shops to open 24 hours a day to boost high street pandemic recovery

Non-essential retail shops in England are allowed to re-open for 24 hours a day in December and January, following the lift of the four-week national lockdown.

Businesses usually having to apply to city councils if they wish to open outside of normal trading hours (9am to 7pm). However, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed that for the next two months all retailers are being given dispensation to aid economic recovery.

He said: “With these changes local shops can open longer, ens

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

City Council issue Annual Equality Report

The report has established a series of key initiatives that attempt to tackle inequalities in the city during the COVID-19 pandemic

The Annual Equality Report went before Newcastle’s Cabinet on Monday 16 November.

Firstly, the city is working closely with the BAME Public Health Steering Group to ensure that BAME health priorities are understood. To do this, they are creating data sets that detail the risk factors and inequality trends in the BAME population.

Elsewhere, by improving awareness

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

Businesses providing free school meals in the North East

North East businesses are giving out free food during school holidays to support vulnerable children

Volunteers, businesses and organisations have united to ensure the availability of food for children in the North East.

Over 4 000 packed lunches were distributed across Newcastle this half term as volunteers and community organisations pledged to help feed children who would normally receive free school meals.

On 21 October, the government defeated a motion in the House of Commons to fund the

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

Flu jab delays amid high demand

Residents in the North East - including the most vulnerable - are facing potential delays in receiving flu jabs due to high demand.

Several GPs and pharmacists have raised concerns that they have yet to obtain stocks of the flu vaccine. Delays in deliveries have forced practices to cancel fully booked clinics.

Chair of Newcastle and North Tyneside LMC, Dr Alan McCubbin, said vaccine supplies were coming through to GP surgeries and local community pharmacies in “fits and starts”.

“Some sites h

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

Child poverty and coronavirus cause surge in food bank demand

New data reveals that child poverty in the north of England has drastically risen over the last five years.

The study, commissioned by the End Child Poverty campaign, notes that the North East region has seen the greatest rise in child poverty. The data is based on children living in households below 60% of the median income.

Between 2014-15 and 2018-19 the region has seen an increase from 32% to 41%. This means the North East has the second-highest rate, behind London.

As this data predates

The Courier Online • 1st March 2021

North East Universities support economic recovery plan amidst coronavirus crisis

Local universities are collaborating with regional authorities to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19 on the local community.

The economic ramifications will be reduced by strengthening the resilience of businesses and supporting the agility of the current and future workforces.

Newcastle University, Durham University, Northumbria University, University of Sunderland and Teesside University are active members of North East COVID-19 Economic Response Group.

The Group was formed with local