Complaints from university students reach an all-time high
Complaints made by university students about their courses reached a record high in 2021, with over a third referencing the Covid-19 pandemic. The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) - the authority that handles higher education grievances – received 2,763 complaints from students last year. A report from the OIA said: “Many students continued to experience disruption to their studies and their lives” through 2021 and that “some have been very significantly affected, often those who were already vulnerable." Complaints came from across a range of subjects, but frequently came from more practical courses – such as science and design courses – where there were issues over access to facilities on campus. There were also concerns raised about changes to assessments and requests for consideration of personal difficulties. The number of complaints follows a growing trend, with a 68% increase since 2017.
Complaints from students are at an all-time-high Office of the Independent Adjudicator (2021)
“While we are concerned at the number of complaints taken to the OIA last year, Covid’s distorting effect on the student experience is clearly reflected in the data. With Covid-related complaints representing 37% of this year’s total, compared to 12% of 2020’s total, we are likely seeing some of last year’s effects in this year’s figures.
“The overwhelming majority of students continue to receive a world-class education, with the total number of complaints representing a small fraction of the total student population.”
The Yorkshire village being terrorised by vandals and arsonists
Appalled residents have spoken out following a spate of violent crime in a Barnsley village. Police are trying to tackle anti-social behaviour in Lundwood, which saw over 30 arson attacks reported last year. A police officer also suffered multiple injuries after he was set upon by a group while patrolling the area last month. Reverend Blair Radford, a parish priest at St Mary Magdalen church believes anti-social behaviour in the area is part of a wider issue. He said: "The village has seen an increase in ASB since the beginning of the year. "This sits in a context of similar circumstances in surrounding areas where young people are now unchallenged when behaving in this way. The recent hospitalisation of a police officer last week showed the level we have reached. We need to respond to the core reasons why this is happening."
His reaction comes as a children's playground was destroyed by vandals in a recent attack. Littleworth Lane's playground will now be removed, Barnsley Council has announced. The council said it will cost £20,000 to replace the play area as it is “beyond repair”, leaving them with no choice but to remove it.
The state of Littleworth Lane's playground in Lundwood after vandals attacked it.
Wendy Lowder, Executive Director for Communities, said: "It's very disappointing to hear that the playground at Littleworth Lane was subject to yet more vandalism on Tuesday 3 May. Sadly, this is not the first time vandalism has seen the play area needing removals and repairs in the last two years, with numerous incidents of small fires and other damage.
"We don't tolerate this sort of behaviour in our borough, and we're joining forces with partners at South Yorkshire Police and South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue to identify the offender. In the meantime, we will have to remove the play equipment for safety reasons as the damage is beyond repair, costing £20,000 to replace."
Several residents took to social media to share their dismay at the news. Mother, Sherry Fleetwood, said: “I take my two-year-old to this park because it is easy for him to get up the steps to both slides. It is usually covered in glass and once there was food thrown everywhere, but this is ridiculous. "My son will be gutted. Every time we drive past he says ‘slide’. It shouldn’t come out of the community’s budget to replace the damage caused by vandalism because it will only be ruined again”. Another Facebook user, Denise Sedgewick, said: “Appalling behaviour. They should be made to pay for the damage they have caused."
The recent vandalism attack on Lundwood play area
Sheffield primary school to teach pupils Latin in bid to improve literacy skills
A Sheffield Primary school has announced that they will start teaching their Key Stage two students Latin from September 2022. Woodlands Primary School on Norton Avenue in Gleadless will provide 30 minute Latin lessons every week to children aged seven to 11 in the hopes to improve literacy skills at their school. The Gleadless Primary will be one of two known schools in Sheffield to provide their pupils with Latin lessons. Arbourthorne Community Primary School on Eastern Avenue in Arbourthorne is the other primary school to do this and has been teaching Latin to their students since 2018. More than sixty per cent of the English vocabulary is made up of a combination of Latin and Greek origins. Assistant Headteacher, Sarah Bustamante says there are huge benefits to teaching children Latin at primary school. “We teach vocabulary very specifically at Woodlands but we know that this is not always enough. We want to give our pupils a real depth of understanding of vocabulary and language and we feel that comes from Latin. I really love all languages. In primary school we can choose a language that is right for our school. We want to give our children a real in-depth knowledge of an ancient language. “Learning Latin will help our pupils unlock the meaning and understanding of complex words preparing them for secondary school and beyond.”
Children learning Latin at Woodlands Primary School
Woodlands Primary School children
Long-distance cycle ride raises more than £1,000 for Sheffield charity supporting families in need
A local pastor has raised £1,450 following his 180-mile cycle ride from Bristol to Bakewell for a local charity that supports families in need in Sharrow, Nether Edge and Lowfield.
Giles Holloway, 47, completed this sponsored cycle ride for Family Voice on May 2. The charity, which is based in Nether Edge, aims to support and empower local families, provide advice and positive opportunities to those most in need. It helps to reduce social isolation through their various weekly activity groups.
Mr Holloway is a Sharrow resident and started volunteering for Family Voice during lockdown when he was on furlough. "I was so impressed with the work they were doing and the support they were giving that I thought I would do a charity bike ride."
Mr Holloway was accompanied by a different friends along the way and then met his family in Bakewell to celebrate. "We uncorked the champagne in Bakewell," he said.
Family Voice promotes happy and safe family life and work with around 300 people in the area. The community group supports families of diverse backgrounds in a culturally sensitive and inclusive way. The money Mr Holloway raised will help them to continue to do the work they do.
Nasim Begum, from Family Voice, said: "We would like to thank Giles for dedicating his free time with the cycle ride and raising a huge amount of money for us. This donation will help us support the vulnerable families that are facing so many hardships at the moment."
With free exercise classes, dance classes, art and relaxation classes, Family Voice aims to provide a hub for local families to bond with others who have shared experiences. Family Voice host celebrations for those they support to enjoy. They had a party for International Women's day in March. And they held an Eid celebration yesterday.
They also have more practical courses such as English for driving theory as well as food hygiene classes. Ammi's Kitchen, their small social enterprise, provides jobs for local mums, and a way to share their culture though food.
Kate West from Family Voice highlighted that the cost of living crisis has meant a rise in the cost of energy bills and food. "Families are under a lot more financial stress this stress often results in physical and mental poor health. We are busier than ever and really appreciate all the people that support us," she continued.
You can support Family Voice by making a donation to Giles's fundraiser:
https://localgiving.org/fundraising/GilesdoesBristol2BakewellonaBikeinaDay/?fbclid=IwAR25wWH4TCj8uuFIQYINrf0cX3CKCrhpVpMZTEFajzmougaNqvdJWeFLCt0
Local Elections Results: Sheffield throws a few surprises in a same-old election
The results of the local elections in Sheffield City Council came in thick and fast in the early hours of Friday morning, showing a city almost unchanged. Most wards remained exactly the same, with only four seats changing hands - Beighton, which switched from Labour to Liberal Democrat, Crookes and Crosspool, which changed to Labour from Liberal Democrat, and Hillsborough and Gleadless Valley, which both flipped from Labour to Green. The council still remains in no overall control for the second year running. The main story of the night was Lib Dem Mohammed Mahroof losing his Crookes and Crosspool seat, where he has been a councillor since 2018. All other wards remained the same, with some change in the vote share meaning Conservative candidates slipped into third place and Green candidates increased their votes. City ward's Green Party candidate Martin Phipps, for example, was re-elected with a 498-vote majority - an improvement from his 16-vote majority in 2018. Other wards such as Walkley and Mosborough saw a tight race, with just a 98-vote majority for Labour's Tom Hunt and a 126-vote majority for the re-elected Liberal Democrat Gail Smith.
Leader of the Council Terry Fox was standing in Manor Castle for the Labour Party and saw a slight decrease in his majority - from 1,118 to 1,077.
He told Sheffield Wire it is "humbling to have that opportunity to serve the good people of Manor ward". Cllr Fox said he was pleased to see vote improvement for the Labour Party both locally and nationally, saying "we are listening, we are delivering for the people of Sheffield and tonight's results reflect that". One seat where the race had looked to be tight was in Stocksbridge and Upper Don, where Conservative candidate David Chinchen was looking to snatch the seat from Labour. Mr Chinchen didn't quite manage it, missing out on the seat by just 151 votes. Labour's Janet Ridler held the seat for the Party instead, despite last year's elections seeing a 497 majority for the now Conservative councillor Lewis Chinchen. There was a delay in the counting process after a man threatened polling station staff in the Community Room on Westminster Crescent, Fulwood after voting closed. The police were called and the incident was resolved, with the box of votes arriving unaffected to the venue in the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Full ward results are as follows: Richmond - Labour hold, Mike Drabble Beighton - Lib Dem gain from Labour, Kurtis Crossland Burngreave - Labour hold, Mark Jones Darnall - Labour hold, Zaharia Naz Manor Castle - Labour hold, Terry Fox Birley - Labour hold, Karen McGowan City - Green hold, Martin Phipps Dore and Totley - Lib Dem hold, Martin Smith East Ecclesfield - Labour hold, Craig Gamble Pugh Firth Park - Labour hold, Abitsam Mohamed Gleadless Valley - Green gain, Marieanne Elliot Hillsborough - Green gain, Henry Nottage Mosborough - Lib Dem hold, Gail Smith Park and Arbourthorne - Labour hold, Nabeela Mowlana Southey - Labour hold, Jayne Dunn Stannington - Lib Dem hold, Vickie Priestley West Ecclesfield - Lib Dem hold, Mike Levery Stocksbridge and Upper Don - Labour hold, Janet Ridler Woodhouse - Labour hold, Paul Wood Beauchief and Greenhill - Lib Dem hold, Simon Clement-Jones Broomhill and Sharrow Vale - Green hold, Maleiki Haybe Crookes and Crosspool - Labour gain, Minesh Parekh Ecclesall - Lib Dem hold, Shaffaq Mohammed Fulwood, Lib Dem hold, Cliff Woodcraft Graves Park - Lib Dem hold, Steve Ayris Nether Edge and Sharrow - Labour gain, Nighat Basharat Shiregreen and Brightside - Labour hold, Garry Weatherall Walkley - Labour hold, Tom Hunt
Local Elections: Man threatened staff at polling station in Sheffield
Police were called to a polling station in Westminster Crescent, Fulwood, at 10:25pm last night following reports a man threatened staff after voting closed. The box was delayed in arriving from the Community Room venue to the counting hall at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield. Four hours after the verification process started, no votes had been counted. According to a statement from Sheffield City Council, it has now arrived and the incident is resolved. Follow our team on Twitter @Sheffield_Wire for live updates from the count throughout the night.
Local Elections: Liberal Democrats “cautiously optimistic” for Sheffield results
A Liberal Democrat councillor in Sheffield has said tonight he is "cautiously optimistic" for the Party to make gains in the city tonight. Cllr Kevin Oxley won his Mosborough seat in 2019, taking it from Labour's David Barker with a majority of 337.
When asked about the election, Cllr Oxley said he believes turnout will be low, fitting with a developing trend. In last year's local elections there was a turnout of just 34.3%. Cllr Oxley said the surge in Conservative support in Sheffield has decreased this time around, pointing to the cost of living crisis and the Prime Minister's fine for breaking lockdown rules. Out on the doorstep Cllr Oxley said the issues campaigners were hearing about were local. He said there is not much local councillors can do to help with the cost of living, and that support needs to come from government. Follow our team on Twitter @Sheffield_Wire for live updates from the count throughout the night.
Local Elections: Verifying underway in Sheffield
Verifying votes cast in Sheffield's local elections is underway at the English Institute of Sport after polling stations closed to voters at 10pm. There are 28 seats up for grabs at the election across every ward in the city, including in Manor Castle where Leader of the Council Terry Fox is standing for re-election. Other wards to watch overnight are City, where the Green Party's Martin Phipps is hoping to build on his 16-vote majority and Stocksbridge and Upper Don, where Conservative candidate David Chinchen is gunning to follow in his son's footsteps and become a councillor in the ward, ousting Labour. Walkley ward will similarly be a tight race between Labour's Tom Hunt and Logan Robin from the Green Party. Last year's elections saw the Greens' Bernard Little take the seat from Labour. Follow our team on Twitter @Sheffield_Wire for live updates from the count throughout the night.
UK is fourth-worst country in Europe for overweight adults, says report
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has named the UK as the fourth-worst country for obesity, in a report that revealed the disease leads to 1.2m deaths annually in European countries. The report also found that obesity is directly responsible for 200,000 cancer cases each year in Europe, saying it has reached “epidemic proportions.” It can be a cause of 13 types of cancer, including in the kidney and liver. “Obesity is a disease, not just a risk factor,” the report stated. It found that no single member state in the European region is on track to halt the rise of obesity and diabetes.
The UK
The UK has an obesity strategy to reduce the amount of overweight adults and children in the country, with it recently implementing a controversial law forcing large restaurants and cafes to include calorie amounts on their menus. However, the WHO report found that obesity affects 59% of adults in the UK, and 63% of adults were obese in 2018. The report’s data also showed that in many countries, including the UK, more boys under 18 than girls don’t eat fruit or vegetables every day.
Professor Jane Ogden, a health psychologist at the University of Surrey, said: “Obesity is a product of things in the environment that make us overeat and under exercise and the way that we think about food. I think what has happened in the UK is that we have an environment that encourages us to be sedentary, so we use our car, we don't walk, we sit at our desks. On top of that, the world around us encourages us to eat more.
“Throughout our childhood food is used as a reward, as a way of managing behaviour. There’s language around food that makes it either forbidden or a treat, and because of that we eat more.”
The report recommends a “high-level political commitment” to tackling obesity alongside sugar tax on sweet drinks and subsidies on healthy food.
In 2019/20, there was a 17% increase in hospital admissions for health issues relating to obesity from the previous year.
The WHO report also claimed that Covid-19 has had a negative effect on eating patterns and physical activities, saying: “It will have lasting effects on people’s health for many years and will need significant effort to reverse.”
It also placed emphasis on supporting lower socioeconomic groups because they face more constraints and limitations in eating healthily.
Dr Ogden agrees with this, saying: "There's a lot of issues around food poverty and people not having the money to buy the right kinds of food and that pushes people toward eating takeaways, which are high in fat, and although they cost more in the long term, if people don't have the right cooking and eating facilities then they can't prepare the food in the right kinds of ways.”
She also said that British culture isn’t great when it comes to buying and cooking food, leading to an “explosion” of food delivery apps.
“It’s all exacerbated in a kind of perfect storm.”The report also noted the contribution of meal delivery apps like Uber Eats and Just Eat to the rise of obesity, saying the apps often lead to overordering and overconsumption. This links to eating out, where the report said people who dine out eat 200 more calories than they would at home, on average. It also found that while active video games can help children get more active, they aren’t a substitute for physical activities. When asked what the UK could do to tackle obesity, Dr Ogden said a good way to combat this could be to stop the food industry from overloading people with food with buy one get one free deals, and to make healthy food cheaper. She said: “We need to work out a way to do this without stigmatising. It should be about everybody being more active and everybody eating well - creating that as a culture. “But a lot of it is a cultural thing. For a long time we haven't been big on cooking and we seem to have become more sedentary, perhaps more than other cultures.”
John Lundstram: Ex-Sheffield United midfielder on brink of Europa League history with Rangers
It would be hard to find a current British footballer with a more polarised reputation amongst the supporters of two different clubs than ex-Sheffield United midfielder John Lundstram. Departing Bramall Lane on bad terms last summer after an extended contract standoff, Lundstram has enjoyed a remarkable first season north of the border with Rangers. Bemoaned by Blades, idolised at Ibrox, Lundstram stands just 90 minutes away from creating European history as Rangers prepare for the Europa League semi-final second leg against RB Leipzig tonight. Bemoaned by Blades For fans of United, Lundstram’s success in Scotland has come largely as a surprise. “I’ve seen quite a lot of Rangers’ European games and at times it’s like watching a completely different player,” says diehard Blades fan Hal. “I must say I am surprised he’s adapted to life so quickly and well north of the border with Rangers,” the co-host of podcast Sheff United Way added. Making 120 appearances for Sheffield United between 2017 and 2021, Lundstram enjoyed some great times at the Blades as part of the side which won promotion to the Premier League in 2019. The Scouse midfielder went on to become one of the team’s stars in their maiden season in the top flight, scoring five goals as the Blades achieved a commendable 9th-placed finish. It was during United’s second season in the Premier League, which ultimately ended in relegation, when his reputation with the club’s supporters soured as he became embroiled in protracted contract negotiations before eventually leaving in the summer of 2021. Lundstram’s attitude and commitment to the club during these final months has been called into question by Blades fans. Jason Holyhead, freelance writer and author of Sheffield United book Ain’t Got a Barrel of Money, outlines: “In his early days at United he was pretty good and most fans liked him, but then he refused to sign a new deal. From that point onwards, his effort and attitude was appalling in my opinion.” Idolised at Ibrox Fast forward twelve months, and the supporters of Lundstram’s current employers have markedly more complimentary things to say about the 28-year-old. After a tricky start to life in Glasgow under the auspices of fellow Liverpool born manager Steven Gerrard, Lundstram has developed into a key cog in new boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s system. Jonny McFarlane, Project Editor at The Rangers Review, says Lundstram has benefited from a difference in tactical approach implemented by Dutchman van Bronckhorst. Jonny says: “Under Steven Gerrard, Lundstram was almost straight-jacketed by the burden of information and automation expected as part of a midfield shape that was largely focused on covering for the rampaging full backs. “In van Bronckhorst's team he has a lot more freedom and responsibility.” Lundstram’s newfound form and confidence under his new manager has enabled him to grow into one of Rangers’ key players, and increasingly one of the favourites of the club’s ardent supporters. “For a long time, Rangers supporters have lacked a player that they feel runs through brick walls for them. Lundstram is that type of player,” says Joshua Barrie, a writer for The Rangers Review and Sky Sports News contributor. “As well as his technical ability, Lundstram is a leader in the middle and the supporters love that,” Joshua adds. It is Lundstram’s performances in the Europa League which have particularly reputation-enhancing. Awarded the club’s Goal of the Season for his left-footed strike in a famous victory for the Gers at the Westfalenstadion against Borussia Dortmund, Lundstram has shone in both midfield and defence during Rangers’ outstanding European campaign.
Jonny credits Rangers manager van Bronckhorst's tactical acumen and Lundstram’s versatility as being pivotal to the team’s success in Europe. “The Dutchman’s decision to utilise him as both a defender and a midfielder that can switch roles with fluidity is in large part a reason for the club’s deep run in the Europa League.” “I think you could argue he’s been Rangers’ most important player in Europe,” Joshua also suggests.🎙️ John Lundstram spoke to @RangersTV after collecting the Men's Goal of the Season award.#RangersPOTY pic.twitter.com/RRLVd2eCus
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) April 24, 2022
John Lundstram's stats from the KO rounds of the Europa League (courtesy of FOTMOB).
Rotherham United promotion parade: Millers supporters celebrate “best ever” season
[metaslider id=40603] Supporters of Rotherham United gathered for an open-top bus parade today in celebration of the club's "best ever" season which has ended with promotion to the Championship. Over 1,000 fans welcomed the team bus to a civic reception at Rotherham Town Hall, as part of a parade which started at the club's New York Stadium. Club chairman Tony Stewart rejoiced at the club's success in front of a sea of Millers supporters, following a season in which Rotherham also lifted the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley last month. He said: "This has been without doubt the best ever year I've experienced at Rotherham. "Thanks to a good manager, training staff and everybody involved with the club we have all pulled together to achieve this." Rotherham's promotion was sealed after a 2-0 victory away to Gillingham on Saturday ensured they pipped MK Dons to second place in League One by just one point. It marks the club's fourth promotion from League One to the Championship in just nine years, with the Millers' last two Championship campaigns ending in relegation in 2019 and 2021. Chairman Tony Stewart has vowed to do everything he can to ensure Rotherham are able to put an end to this pattern and stay up in the Championship next season. He said: "We are determined to stay up this time. We know what we need to do, and we're more determined than ever to make an impression in the Championship." The Millers' charismatic manager Paul Warne was also present at the Town Hall to thank the club's fans for their support. He said: "A football club is not a football club without fans. You’re the beating heart of this club. We get there together. That’s what football is, that’s what brings communities together. "Being together, watching the team, feeling the emotions, feeling the highs, the lows, the depressing parts, the unbelievable joy that you can’t find anywhere else in life, like Georgie’s goal last week at Gillingham. These are moments in your life you won’t forget." "This is an amazing group that will be stuck together in history as one of the best teams this club has ever, ever had," he added.
South Yorkshire mayoral elections 2022: what is the plan for buses?
The Green and Yorkshire Party mayoral candidates have vowed to tackle bus issues across the region after reports of mass cancellations and delays. Both candidates agreed that the current situation affects people's lives on a daily basis and limits accessibility to other parts of the county for those that have disabilities or who are old. Bex Whyman, Green Party candidate, said current routes are not fit for purpose. She has pledged an open conversation with residents and let them highlight any changes they want with monthly public transport forums and introduce more inter-community services in a bid to link more remote areas to one another.
Green party candidate Bex Whyman.
Mayor candidate Simon Biltcliffe.