Birmingham Post

School Is Reported Over Cut in Hours

A Birmingham school which plans to scrap Wednesday afternoon lessons is being reported to the Schools Minister by an MP and councillors who fear the scheme is being railroaded through without proper consultation. The Birmingham Post revealed on Saturday how Kings Heath Primary was to shave half a day from its working week so pupils could take part in social activities ranging from board games to entrepreneurial skills.

Family Reunion Eases Pain of Iraq

An 11-year-old Midland girl tormented at school because her father was serving in Iraq celebrated a late Christmas with him when they were reunited at the weekend. Bethan Ellis and her family were among dozens who welcomed home the Territorial Army 225 City of Birmingham Plant Squadron on its return from a six-month tour of duty in Iraq.

Board Decisions? I'll Ask the Wife

They might have multi-million pound budgets and dozens of staff at their disposal. But when it comes to the crunch, the company executive seeking advice over a tough business decision will stay close to home.

Rural Matters Are More Sexy

Living in the countryside can improve your sex life, according to a survey published today. More than half of those who took part in the research either said sex was better since they turned their back on city living or that they thought it would be if they made the switch.

Teacher Backs War with Ofsted

Another Birmingham head teacher has spoken out against Ofsted and demanded the organisation be subjected to the same scrutiny it inflicts upon schools. Bernie Smith, head teacher of Four Dwellings High School in Quinton, said the ten-year-old Office for Standards in Education behaved as if it was 'untouchable'.

Dreaming of a Star Role in Bollywood

Would-be stars of Indian cinema from across Britain converged on Birmingham's Millennium Point for the second round of Channel 4's talent competition, Bollywood Star. The hopefuls -many of them cheered on by their own travelling supporters -were selected from open auditions held at the International Convention Centre before Christmas. Yesterday they danced and acted in front of a selection panel comprising actress Sophiya Haque, DJ Bobby Friction, choreographer Honey Kalaria and music produce...

Residents Gather Petition Against Massive Plan for Future of Village

Angry residents concerned about the development of their idyllic Warwickshire village will present a petition tomorrow against expansion plans which could see 700 new homes built. More than 800 names have been collected opposing proposals which would see Shottery, near Stratford-upon-Avon, almost double in size.

Shock for Region Over Late Abortions

The West Midlands has the highest number of late abortions after 13 weeks of pregnancy among teenagers in the UK. Young women are having to wait more than four weeks in some cases for a termination date.

Christmas Comes Late for Heroes From the Desert ; for Most People Christmas Is Already a Distant Memory, but the 139 Territorial Army Members of 225 City of Birmingham Plant Squadron Had More Than Enough Reason to Enjoy Belated Festivities with Their Families, As They Told Jessica Shepherd

On a bitterly cold Saturday night in winter, the grim TA barracks could have been a foreboding sight for the coachload of volunteers returning after six months in Iraq. But any such thoughts were quickly banished as they were met by dozens of cheering, expectant families who had gathered in anticipation.

Soldiers' Love Grew in the Dust of Basra

It was the most unlikely of settings for an engagement party, but to Karen Orme it was perfect, writes Jessica Shepherd. The 21-year-old from Great Bridge, Tipton, celebrated her boyfriend and fellow soldier Andrew Hall's proposal in the Basra dust.

'Equipment Shortage Cost Soldier a Leg'

A British soldier injured in an accident in Iraq is demanding to know if his leg was amputated only because of a lack of medical equipment to save it. MPs are investigating claims that army doctors would not have removed Sergeant Albert Thomson's leg if they had had the appropriate surgical equipment.

Baghdad Suicide Bomber Kills 20

A suicide bomber blew up his vehicle at the main gate to the headquarters compound of the US-led coalition in Baghdad yesterday, killing 20 in the deadliest attack since the capture of Saddam Hussein last month. The dead included two American civilians.

Iraqi School Honours Uxb Man

A Midland bomb disposal expert killed in an ambush in Iraq has had the school he was helping rebuild named after him. Ian Rimell, who worked for Nobel Peace prizewinning landmine charity Mines Advisory Group, was honoured yesterday when the Girls' Secondary School of Hatra was renamed The Ian Rimell School for Girls.

Education Matters: Rebel Mp Will Vote for Student Top-Up Fees

A Midland MP who presented Ministers with a last-minute list of demands to stave off a rebellion on student top-up fees said yesterday he would be voting with the Government. Peter Bradley (Lab The Wrekin) and another Labour backbencher, Southampton MP Alan Whitehead, published a manifesto outlining changes to the flagship policy.

Education Matters: Why School Field Trips Could Soon Be Over Net Check On Child Minders

Education watchdog Ofsted has announced plans to allow parents to check the quality of about 100,000 registered childminders via the internet from next year. It means results of inspections on childminders will be available on the Ofsted website, in the same way reports on schools are published.

Education Matters: More Effort Needed in Teaching Literacy

Fewer than half the children who passed last year's national English tests for 11-year-olds could spell words such as 'effortless' and 'participate', an official report reveals today. Even high-flying pupils were often unable to spell the more difficult words in the tests, an analysis by exams watchdog the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) showed.

Education Matters: Gifted Youngsters Get Their Hands Dirty

Education Matters: Springbok Gift From Children

Children from a North Warwickshire primary school are sending a valuable gift to their counterparts in South Africa. Water Orton Primary School is taking part in Give a Book -Help Build a Nation, a regional appeal aiming to collect 250,000 children's books to send to South African schools.

Education Matters: Ou Numbers Up

Will Sun Rise On Japanese Garden Plan? ; Would You Prefer Gravel and Concrete or Grass and Flowers in Birmingham's First New Urban Park for More Than a Century? Contact the Post, Details Page 11

A Japanese-style park under consideration for Eastside, with gravel and concrete instead of grass and flower beds, has been condemned as a disaster for Birmingham. The criticism came from officials of the Civic Society, who fear city council planners are basing Birmingham's first new urban park for more than 100 years on the c Glyn Pitchford, vice-chairman of the Civic Society, said the Kitigata park was designed as an experiment in 'feminism in housing design,' with landscaping created by Am...