Parents are livid as their children were forced to eat dinner outside in the rain ‘like animals’.
Some pupils returned to school yesterday, and those starting in year 7 at Unsworth Academy in Bury were told to eat outside as part of new safety measures.
Families found out that their children were forced to sit outside in heavy rain and wind on Wednesday and were left soaked.
Many children struggled to actually eat their food as they battled the wind to hold umbrellas up.
@Christian4BuryS Hi Christian, do you have any idea why my child’s first day at @UnsworthAcademy was spent eating his lunch outside in the rain? He was so wet his lunch was spoilt and he went hungry all day on his first day at high school?!
The families explained they had not been made aware that their child’s dinnertime would be spent outside.
They added that the school risk assessment which was provided by the school had originally suggested the large spaces such as halls and dining halls to be used during wet breaks and dinner.
According to the MEN, many parents have reported directly to the school and Ofsted as well as complaining on social media.
One parent said the school is ‘treating these kids like animals’, another added: “I wouldn’t let my dog stand outside in rain, let alone make him eat lunch like this.”
why has adequate provision has not been put in place regarding wet breaks & lunchtimes at Unsworth Academy? I am livid my daughter had to eat her lunch outside in the rain today & continue the day wet through. you’ve provided no shelter at all! This needs to be rethought urgently
Mum Louise, whose two children were back on Wednesday, the youngest starting her first day in Year 7, said: “They actually didn’t eat their dinner at all until they got home as it was all getting wet so her memory of her first day at high school was cold, wet and hungry. Other children were taking shelter under a tree or table tennis tables.
“We were not told that lunches would be eaten outside. We were only told that due to distancing, breaks will be outside regardless of the weather. The lady in the office advised me that that’s the only way it can be done and suggested they bring an umbrella to continue to eat outside.”
Dad James, from Radcliffe, also described his upset with the schools set up, saying: “Personally I am livid that a school finds it acceptable to put students outside to eat their lunch in all weathers. I’m not sure how they’re expected to juggle their lunchbox, their actual lunch and an umbrella while fighting the elements trying to keep their sandwich dry. I believe the conditions are better at Her Majesty’s Prisons.”
Great to welcome our year 7’s and 11’s back to school today, can’t wait to welcome our year 8’s, 9’s and 10’s tomorrow! #unsworthcommunity
The school sent a reminder to parents last night that children should have their waterproofs with them.
It said: “As I know you will appreciate, it is going to be difficult to ensure social distancing if all our learners have to remain in school during wet breaks and lunchtimes. To minimise the challenges these wet breaks create, we would like all learners to ensure that, if wet weather is forecast, they bring a waterproof coat and an umbrella to school.
“Many learners had their coats and umbrellas with them today; others did not and did unfortunately get wet at lunchtime. The vast majority of learners are unfazed by wet breaks; today a small minority were not happy that they had no coat or umbrella.
“However, at the same time they do now understand why they need to bring them with them to school, not just for breaks and lunchtimes, but also for the journeys to and from school.”
However, parents received another letter from principal Sue Armstrong with an update today: “Yesterday, the last-minute rainfall during the lunchtime break posed a new challenge for us.
“Unfortunately, with this being the first day learners were in school, contingency plans for wet weather were not as effectively implemented as we would have wanted, resulting in a small minority of students getting wet.
“This has understandably caused concern for those families involved and I would like to reassure you that arrangements have been reviewed to ensure students have access to adequate shelter at all times.”
After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour. The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.
The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.
The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.
“This is it, this is happening” Tickets on sale this Saturday 31st August (🇮🇪8AM IST / 🇬🇧9AM BST) Dates: Cardiff Principality Stadium – 4th/5th July Manchester Heaton Park – 11th/12th/19th/20th July London Wembley Stadium – 25th/26th July & 2nd/3rd August Edinburgh Scottish Gas… pic.twitter.com/5hRQ3sJihb
15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.
The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.
Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.
You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.
Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.
As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.
Stagecoach
There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.
Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.
“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham. “We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”
Stagecoach
Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.
“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”
Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.
As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.
This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.
Greater Manchester Police
Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.
They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.
While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.
#CHARGED | We have charged two men with murder, after further suspected human remains were found this morning in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles. This follows earlier discoveries around Salford.
ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.
“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.
“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.
“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.
“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.
“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”