Croydon - page 2

Loyle Carner help put the finishing touches to a transformed forecourt in a socially-distanced planting day the latest stage in Croydon’s regeneration of Thornton Heath.

Local residents were invited to the new garden in the Ambassador House forecourt which has been installed with the help of volunteers from the National Citizens Service, a youth offenders’ rehabilitation programme.

The participants were members of the community interested in being part of a future gardening club and local star Loyle Carner, who was at the launch event for the forecourt’s improvements last autumn, was also in attendance.

He said, “It’s great to be back home to help bring together our community in a way that benefits the people and the environment. I want to bring nature back to my local community and encourage others to support this movement. Open your eyes, pick up rubbish, do things for the people you care about, and they will do things for the people they care about and so on.”

The forecourt’s improvements came about in a partnership between the council and Timberland through the manufacturer’s Nature Needs Heroes campaign – run by its design consultants and social enterprise Urban Growth – and London National Park City.

The idea is to transform urban areas, greening them and promoting positive change for local communities, and the partnership has resulted in two urban spaces in Croydon reshaped into attractive community hubs: the Ambassador House forecourt and the BRIT School garden.

Alongside the new garden, a storage shed for events and activities has been installed by Tomos Design, which incorporates a gallery of locally produced artwork, created as part of their community engagement last year. Local artists Vân Dang and Bareface have also brought their artistic skills to the forecourt delivering colourful artwork on the walls and steps.

“It is wonderful seeing the community coming together like this and I am seriously impressed by this fantastic garden which will also provide a space for performance, art and creative projects. We are intent on making Croydon greener and healthier and transformative projects such as this can only help the wellbeing of our residents and improve their local environment. I would also like to thank the community in Thornton Health for their involvement, as well as our partnership with Timberland, Urban Growth and London National Park City, and I eagerly look forward to seeing how the garden will benefit the community in the future.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport

The monthly gardening club will be held in the new community garden on the first Saturday of every month starting on September 5th from 1pm to 4pm. There will be seasonal themes and it will be open to all.

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From September 2021 Croydon town centre will get a new London South Bank University (LSBU) campus after planning permission was granted to convert an empty Art Deco office building.

Students of health and social care, business and finance will be based at the Grade II-listed Electric House on Wellesley Road after the council granted planning approval and listed building consent this week.

The university has also now signed a lease agreement for the new campus site, which will offer courses including degrees in nursing, accounting, business management and a Masters for chiropractors.

The move follows a partnership agreed in 2019 between the university and the council as the first step towards a new Croydon Creative Campus offering a mix of business, culture and learning to boost the borough’s regeneration and career prospects for Croydon’s 93,000 people under 18.

The university will convert the four-storey Electric House to include a lecture theatre, classrooms and a café. For nursing students, the building will also include nursing skills suites that replicate hospital wards.

“This is another real vote of confidence in Croydon, as London South Bank University’s new town centre campus will bring fantastic education and career opportunities for the young people of this borough, deliver more local jobs and provide a real boost to our economy.

“With university students already studying at nearby Croydon College and Electric House now set to be transformed into LSBU’s new campus, Croydon is fast becoming a south London hub for higher education in line with the council’s long-term vision for a creative campus in the borough.”

Councillor Tony Newman, leader of the council

Professor Patrick Bailey, LSBU Provost, said, “We are delighted LSBU Croydon has taken another big step forward. Croydon is the perfect location for our new university campus which will train the next generation of nurses and business leaders. LSBU Croydon will set graduates up for successful careers by preparing them to hit the ground running.”

Electric House was constructed as an electricity showroom between 1939 and 1942 and still has original features including marble floors. It has been vacant since the Home Office moved out in 2013.

LSBU’s business incubation facility houses 90 businesses and is ranked among the top 15 university-run incubators in the world, while its employer-supported learning framework has made it a leading UK university for graduate employment.

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Croydon school children’s parents have been updated this week on each school’s individual arrangements to limit the Covid-19 risk when a new academic year starts in September.

As a result of the government confirming earlier this summer that schools nationwide will return in September, headteachers in Croydon have written to parents outlining what tailored measures they have introduced to safely allow all pupils to return.

These measures include weekly deep cleaning, socially-distanced bubbles by year group, one-way systems in school buildings, staggered start and finish times to limit unnecessary contact, Personal Protective Equipment for staff and additional training days on the new arrangements. Schools are also encouraging pupils to work or cycle to school which not only reduces pressure on public transport but is also good for mental and physical health.

Schools have the responsibility to plan their own individual way of safely reopening for September that meets their own circumstances while following government guidelines, meeting health and safety requirements and receiving council support and advice.

Each school has completed an updated Covid-19 risk assessment that is first approved by their board of governors and then shared with the council. These consider everything from hygiene measures, catering and the school run to safeguarding and supporting children with Special Educational Needs.

Some e-learning will continue in combination with face-to-face lessons if schools have teachers or pupils who are at higher risk from Covid-19. Each school has also adapted their curriculum to both help pupils catch up and to reflect any other changes, including timetables that encourage outdoor PE lessons and course updates including Black history.

As well as offering regular support to headteachers, the council is also providing youth mental health first aiders through the Young Londoners’ Fund to advise any children needing help with their wellbeing on their return to school. Teachers and other staff also have access to the adult community Mental Health First Aid programme which is being funded through the council and Transport for London.

Supported by the council, schools have developed plans for managing suspected or confirmed cases of Covid-19. Just like throughout lockdown, if headteachers do flag any suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases they will work with the council and the National Institute of Health Protection to take appropriate action in line with Croydon’s local outbreak control plan.

“Croydon schools have been working hard to ensure that they are able to safely welcome back all pupils from September, and each one has developed their own tailored plan to do this with council help and by following government guidelines.

“I want to thank all head teachers, governors and their staff in Croydon for doing everything asked of them and more to put plans in place to safeguard and manage risk against Covid-19, and put our schools in the best possible current position in planning for the year ahead.

“Schools will continue to do all they can so staff and pupils alike are kept safe while they carry out the crucial job of educating our young people and improving their future prospects.”

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning

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The Director of Finance has said, a cash-strapped council “cannot guarantee” it will avoid bankruptcy.

 Croydon Council faces a £65.4m overspend in the 2020-21 financial year but only has £10m of reserve funds.

At a meeting on Tuesday, finance director Lisa Taylor said the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic meant a “balanced budget” could not be assured.

Meanwhile, the departure of the Labour-controlled council’s chief executive Jo Negrini was also announced.

If the council were to issue a Section 114 notice – a ban on all but essential spending – it would become only the second council to do so in 20 years, after Northamptonshire County Council went bust in 2018.

Council leader Tony Newman has insisted the authority will not be forced to ban spending.

‘Covid shortfall’

Ms Taylor said: “There are savings this year in the budget which we are unable to deliver and we will need time to deliver them in future years.

“Likewise with additional income this year we have been unable to deliver that. I can’t guarantee that we won’t issue a 114 notice.”

Croydon Council said it had been “proactive” about addressing its financial situation by taking measures including setting up an independently chaired finance review panel and freezing recruitment.

A spokesman said the authority had also spoken to the government about financial support for “revenue pressures” to tackle its budget gap.

The spokesman said: “Our leadership continues to push ministers for a fair deal for Croydon on both historic underfunding and our Covid-19 shortfall.”

In June, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that up to 200 people could lose their jobs at the council, which employs more than 6,000 people, including in schools.

‘Saddled with debt’

Meanwhile, the council has announced its chief executive Jo Negrini is leaving her post after four years.

In a statement, she said: “This is a challenging time for local government and I am leaving with all the structures and the team in place to navigate through this post-Covid period and see the council through the next stage in its journey. 

“I loved working for the people of Croydon. It’s an amazing place to work.”

But Tim Pollard, leader of the Croydon’s Conservative opposition, said he was “intrigued” by the timing of Ms Negrini’s departure.

“The town is saddled with masses of debt, it has financial problems fit to bust a gut,” he said.

“I can only assume that the chief executive had a massive breakdown in communication with the political leadership.”

Shifa Mustafa, Croydon’s executive director of place, will take the role up on a temporary basis.

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The first London borough to join with an award-winning social enterprise that helps ex-offenders into work is Croydon.

Over the next three-and-a-half years the council and employers within the borough will partner with The Skill Mill to help vulnerable young people break the cycle of re-offending and gain work experience.

In groups of four at a time the youngsters will take part in an intensive six-month work programme of paid work that will result in a nationally-recognised qualification and the opportunity to progress into further employment or training.

Employers include Balfour Beatty, Kier Construction, Thames Water and the council’s own jobs brokerage service Croydon Works and the young people – aged between 16 and 18 – will be involved in environmental and site maintenance jobs including park and garden preservation.

David Parks is The Skill Mill’s managing director and started the social enterprise in Newcastle six-and-a-half years ago.

He said: “We mostly work in the north and so it’s fantastic this partnership with Croydon has come about. The Skill Mill focuses on some of the most challenging young people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to be taken out of that cycle of violence. Just 12% of the kids who come through the programme re-offend compared with the national average of 43%. We are trailblazers and no-one else is exclusively employing young people who are ex-offenders.”

All of the young people involved in the programme live in the borough and this week the first cohort began their six months of work, starting with garden maintenance.

One of them, Nathan aged 17, said, “It’s a great opportunity for me as someone who’s had a bit of a bad past.”

Mel Comber has been seconded from the council to work as The Skill Mill supervisor for Croydon, and is overseeing the young people on a daily basis.

He said, “It’s all about giving people a second chance and trying to point the youngsters in the right direction to get some stability in their life. Not only that but we will be doing such things in the community as tidying up places that will improve the look of the area and so make an environmental difference.”

“Our partnership with The Skill Mill is the result of the excellent work we did with vulnerable adolescents in the youth offending team at the Turnaround Centre. Our head of adolescent services, Hannah Doughty, had previously worked with The Skill Mill in Liverpool and saw what an enormous difference the social enterprise had made to the lives of young ex-offenders. Our youth offending team really does make a difference by working tirelessly to reduce the level of offending and improve the lives of the young people”

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning

“I am proud that Croydon is the first London borough to partner with The Skill Mill. As a council we are committed to improving the lives of disadvantaged young people and to presenting them with work opportunities, including those aiming to lead a fulfilling life away from crime. In the current crisis employment support for youngsters is needed more than ever and I am delighted that through this innovative programme they will also be making a positive contribution to their community.”

Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, cabinet member for economy and jobs

The Skill Mill programme, jointly commissioned by seven local authorities, is supported by the Life Chances Fund awarded by The National Lottery Community Fund.

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Croydon students, based on early results show that they have done better in this year’s GCSEs despite the disruption caused by Covid-19.

Last spring all GCSE and A-Level examinations due to be sat in summer 2020 were cancelled because of the Covid-19 lockdown. Instead, GCSE students nationwide received grades today (Thursday) based on their own school’s analysis of past performance.

With 63% of the borough’s school results in so far, Croydon schools have achieved a provisional 74% pass rate in English and Maths at grade 4 and above and a 53% pass rate at grade 5 and above. This compares to 44% and 41% respectively in 2019.

For any students who did not get the grades they wanted or want support with their next steps, the council is running a series of events open to people aged 16-18 who either live in the borough or attend a Croydon school. For more information, call 0208 726 7485 or email post16@croydon.gov.uk

For wider council assistance, contact educationenquiries@croydon.gov.uk. This account reaches Shelley Davies, Mike McKeaveney, Denise Bushay, Sarah Bailey and Julie Ralphs.

At Norbury Manor Business and Enterprise College for Girls, students scored a 100% GCSE pass rate and the number of results with a grade 4 pass or higher in English and Maths rose from 75% last year to 83% this year.

Deputy headteacher Markieu Hayden, who will become headteacher in September after the retirement of outgoing head Amanda Compton, said: “Norbury Manor has continued with our upwards trajectory of results building on last year.

“Despite the disruption to their learning, the students have remained focused and committed to their studies and have fully participated in online learning and working with their teachers throughout lockdown.”

Shamyla Ahmad, 16, got the top grade 9 in French, Geography, English Literature, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Religious Studies, two 8s in Computer Science and Maths and a 7 in English Language. She said: “I was very nervous; I didn’t expect this at all because I saw a lot in the news about people being downgraded. I put in a lot of hard work and I’m glad it paid off.”

Ayla Aziz, from Thornton Heath, got two grade 9s, three 8s and five 7s. She said: “I think the school has been very supportive in bringing me towards this goal. I’m very relieved and want to do Maths, Biology and Chemistry at sixth form.”

Because of a decline in admissions, this academic year was the last ever at St Andrew’s C of E School in Croydon, where 71.7% of Year 11 students got at least a grade 4 in English and Maths and 35.8% got grade 5 or higher.

Headteacher Jonathan Harris said: “They have had some fantastic teaching, group tutoring and experiences which have resulted in some of the best exam results the school has ever seen.”

“Even at this early stage it’s already clear GCSE students across the borough have had brilliant individual successes despite the disruption to their learning from Covid-19.

“Just as they supported schools throughout lockdown and made themselves available to A-level students needing advice last week, our education director Shelley Davies and her colleagues are here to help anyone who did not get the GCSE grades they were hoping for. So please get in touch with her team if you want help with choosing what to do next.”

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning

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In the prestigious London Borough Apprenticeship Awards 2020, Croydon Council has been shortlisted in a trio of categories.

Out of the five award categories – which recognise the contribution of London’s apprentices to their communities and the innovative work creating new apprenticeships – the borough is featured in three of them.

Nazifa Chowdhury is in the running for Best Progression by an Apprentice, David Osborne for The Andy Scott Award for Best Manager or Mentor and the borough has been shortlisted for Best Work with the Supply Chain and Local Businesses to Create New Apprenticeships.

Twenty-year-old Nazifa is currently working as a full-time apprentice in the council’s financial department.

In her nomination the council wrote: “Nazifa came to the council as a quiet 17-year-old and has developed into a confident and capable young officer. She is a phenomenal ambassador for apprenticeships and has delivered extraordinary presentations to cabinet members, economic summit and the Local Government Association. She has also encouraged new apprentices to stay focused and work hard.”

Nazifa said: “I am excited for myself and for Croydon because for it to be shortlisted in three of the categories is a massive accomplishment. Our council is really good at apprenticeships and the best thing about doing them is that you gain experience as well as a qualification. I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ for hiring me and supporting me in my development. By the end of my apprenticeship I hope to be a fully-qualified accountant.”

The council’s apprentices’ scheme is part of the Choose Your Future campaign which encourages young people to make positive life choices. Since it started the call to action it has engaged with thousands of young people and been linked to a 17 per cent drop in knife crime. Last year it won the LGC Awards’ communications campaign of the year category at a ceremony celebrating the best initiatives in local government.

David Osborne is the council’s cemetery horticultural manager who oversees a team looking after all the gardens and maintenance of the borough’s cemeteries. He is currently managing a young apprentice and helping him complete his coursework with a philosophy of ‘Work-Enjoy-Develop!’

He said: “It’s nice to be recognised because an apprenticeship is such a good idea for young people. With apprentices you’ve got to get them to enjoy the profession because if they enjoy it they’ll do well. And you also want people to become responsible so they can look around and see for themselves what needs doing. Croydon is a good employer for apprentices because it offers the full working wage.

“I am full of praise for both Nazifa and David for their outstanding work which has benefitted others over the past year. I am also delighted that the council, in partnership with training providers and employers across the borough, has been shortlisted in recognition of creating new apprenticeships. This was achieved through our innovative 100 in 100 campaign, part of our award-winning Choose Your Future Campaign, and resulted in 120 new apprenticeship opportunities being created involving 60 employers. Our shortlist success proves that Croydon is taking the lead in providing more and more opportunities for its residents.”

Councillor Manju Shahul-Hameed, cabinet member for economy and jobs

Councillor Georgia Gould, deputy chair of London Councils and executive member for skills and employment, said: “The awards highlight the diversity of apprentices across London and shines a spotlight on those individuals who have excelled in their chosen field of work and in giving back to London’s communities. It is a huge privilege to recognise the hard work and impressive achievements of the apprentices and those that support them.”

An awards ceremony will be held at Painters’ Hall in central London on Thursday, 3 September.

If you are interested in starting an apprenticeship then visit croydon.gov.uk/jobsatcroydon/apprenticeship

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Croydon’s A-level student’s early indications show they have done well in external assessments announced Thursday as replacements for cancelled summer examinations.

As a result of the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown in March, all GCSE and A-level examinations due to be sat in summer 2020 were cancelled. On Thursday, A-level students received alternative grades based on both their own school’s analysis of past performance and external independent assessments.

With most schools’ results already in for the borough, Croydon schools have achieved a preliminary pass rate of 98.5%, which is above the borough’s 2019 results (95.72%), its 2018 results (96.13%) and anticipated national average of 98.3%.

Croydon schools’ A*-A grades increased by 4% to 23%, while the percentage of A*- B grades also increased in Croydon by 7% to 50%. The overall A*- C rate has increased in Croydon by 9% to 78%.

Any students wanting to appeal their grades have 15 days to do so. For council assistance, contact educationenquiries@croydon.gov.uk with “A-levels – urgent” or similar in the email subject box. This account reaches Shelley Davies, Mike McKeaveney, Denise Bushay, Sarah Bailey and Julie Ralphs.

Two A grades in Computer Science and Maths, and a B in Physics, means that Archbishop Tenison’s C of E student Winston McCarthy will be studying Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at Southampton University from October. The 18-year-old from South Croydon said: “I’m pleasantly surprised – initially I thought the grades would be lower by quite a bit, but it’s better than I thought it would be.”

Archbishop Tenison’s C of E headteacher Richard Parrish said: “We are pleased that for most of them it has worked out well. This is a cohort of students that was looking forward to doing their exams and showing what they can do. We have done our best to make this work for them, and in most cases we are delighted that they are able to progress as hoped.”

At Oasis Academy Shirley, around 90% of their Year 13 students have secured a place at university compared to 92% of a smaller year group last year. University destinations include the academy’s first-ever Cambridge entry, as well as Manchester, Bristol and the London School of Economics.

Ian Walsh, Head of Sixth Form, said: “We’re pleased; it is a decent set of results overall. I was very nervous about this results day for obvious reasons, but it’s been fine – lots of the universities have been flexible like they said they would be.”

Oasis Academy Shirley student Juan Lucena, from East Croydon, got A* grades in Maths and Physics, an A in Further Maths and a B in Chemistry. The 18-year-old will now study aerospace engineering at Bristol University. He said: “I was very nervous and a bit scared, but now it’s fine; I can relax and look forward to Bristol. I’m really excited and want to start studying now!”

“Because of Covid-19 it’s been a difficult and disrupted year for all Croydon pupils – but especially those who were meant to take exams but couldn’t.

“Results day is tough enough for students without the added uncertainty and, in some cases, the disappointment of this year’s grades system that takes their fate out of their hands.

“In spite of this, Croydon pupils can all be proud of their resilience and achievements, and we are incredibly proud of them. Whatever their planned next steps are, their schools and the council are there to help, and that includes supporting students to access the appeals process if they didn’t get the grades they expected. We are also arranging a series of events so students get any extra support they need to work towards their long-term aspirations.”

Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning

The council-run events are open to young people aged 16-18 who either live in the borough or attend a Croydon school. They include a roadshow in North End from 2-5pm on Thursday 20 August. For more information, call 0208 726 7485 or email post16@croydon.gov.uk

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National Charity Stop Hate UK and Croydon have joined forces to introduce a new 24-hour helpline dedicated to supporting residents affected by hate crime.

Hate crimes are when people are targeted because of their disability, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, religion, or any other form of their personal identity. Last year 24,000 Croydon residents signed Say No To Hate pledges as part of the council’s zero tolerance campaign.

Launched this week, the new service will give victims and witnesses in Croydon a safe and confidential space to talk about their experiences with trained staff and volunteers able to provide a non-judgemental listening ear, as well as advice on appropriate action and accessing further help. The helpline will support those affected by both hate crimes and hate incidents.

The Stop Hate helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year on 0800 138 1625. The helpline is also available by text message on 07717 989 025 and by email to talk@stophateuk.org.

Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users can report using the Interpreter Now app by following the link on www.stophateuk.org. Victims and witnesses can also chat on the web or fill in an online form by visiting www.stophateuk.org/talk.

Residents can also contact the Stop Hate UK helpline anonymously if they prefer. However, if someone does opt to give their personal details to Stop Hate UK, staff will request consent before passing on information to the police and council. Reporting cases to the police will be encouraged to help ensure that those affected by hate, in any form, are signposted to access the correct support. Where necessary, staff will assess potential dangers and vulnerability of the callers and be able to make safeguarding referrals.

“There is no place for hate crime in Croydon and tackling all forms of hate crime is a priority in our Community Safety Strategy. We know that too many people tolerate hate crime as a reality of life and don’t always report their experiences. We really welcome the availability of the Stop Hate UK Helpline for Croydon residents and encourage anyone experiencing any form of abuse because of who they are to come forward and seek support.”

Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for safer Croydon and communities

Rose Simkins, Chief Executive of Stop Hate UK, said:

“We are able to support people who feel they have nowhere else to turn. Contact with our helpline, or other reporting channels, might be the first time an individual has talked to someone about the things they are experiencing. Other people may have tried to get help but find they are not satisfied with the response they received. No one should have to suffer hate crime in silence. Sadly the occurrence of hate crime has increased nationally but, working together with the council, statutory and community bodies, we can help to make a difference in Croydon.”

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