Birmingham Post

Tories Criticise 'Education Revolution' As a-Level Results Rise

The A-level exam became a political football again today as teenagers across the Midlands helped make it the 22nd consecutive year of increased pass rates. Results published by the Department for Education and Skills show 96 per cent of teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland passed the exam this year - a rise of 0.6 per cent on 2003.

Crisis Summit Over Rail Cutbacks

An emergency rail summit will be held tomorrow in an attempt to save 7,000 weekend seats from being axed on services between New Street and Birmingham International stations. The West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority has organised the meeting with Network Rail, the Strategic Rail Authority and train operators to consider the new timetable which comes into force next month.

Law Rides Off with Silver As Williamson Hits Bronze Target

A clutch of medals helped Great Britain yesterday enjoy its best day of the Athens Olympics so far, with two Midlanders leading the glory hunt. Alison Williamson, from Shropshire, collected a bronze in the archery while Leslie Law added individual silver to team bronze on a dramatic day for Great Britain's three-day eventers.

Two Rescued From Car As Flash Floods Hit Town

Two men were rescued from their car by firefighters yesterday when a flash flood in Walsall left them stranded in 3ft of water. Driver Jaspir Kumar and his passenger were in a silver Ford Fiesta which became stuck under a railway bridge in the middle of Station Street as the road filled with water.

Chicken Balti with Rice Goes On Parade with the Squaddies

Curry and meat balls are just some of the dishes being introduced to Army ration packs to spice them up. Traditional Army fare is being revamped as part of the Ministry of Defence's plans to help its forces march on their stomachs.

Army Helps Get Brum's Youngsters Off the Streets

Youngsters used to spending their summer holidays hanging around the streets of deprived areas of Birmingham have spent the week taking part in a special adventure scheme organised by the Army. Hundreds of teenagers from across the city experienced abseiling, engineering, paintballing and motorbike training at the Aston Army Adventure. Top coaches from Aston Villa, British Indoor Cricket and the English Basketball Association also gave their time to youngsters at the Aston Event Centre in a b...

Universities Row: We're Not Elitist, Say Top 13

The universities of Birmingham and Warwick yesterday defended themselves against claims they are not doing enough to encourage candidates from poorer backgrounds. It follows research showing topperforming comprehensive school candidates with three As at A-level are almost twice as likely not to take up a place at one of Britain's 13 best universities.

Cbi Reaction: Don't Forget the Basics, Cbi Tells Top-Mark Schools

Company bosses today said they were satisfied with this year's A- level results, but claimed too many young people were leaving school without a good grasp of the three Rs. The Confederation of British Industry praised the efforts of teenagers across the country who received their results today, notching up the 22nd consecutive increase in pass rates.

Religion: War and Terrorism Fuel Religious Study Interest

The September 11 terrorist attacks and the Iraq war could be behind the sudden boom in teenagers taking A-levels in religious studies, headteachers said yesterday. Official figures for A-level results this year showed the proportion of students taking exams in religious studies was up by 13.8 per cent from 2003.

Boys V Girls: Separating Sexes Helps Boys Close Gap

Single sex classes featured among the strategies schools were using to close the yawning exam results gap between girls and boys, head teachers said yesterday. This year's A-level results showed boys were 'fighting back' after years of losing ground to girls, exam boards said.

Languages: Languages Ignored by Our Future Leaders

As the debate continues over whether Britain will adopt the euro, this year's A-level results appear to show a lack of interest among British teenagers with a sharp fall in numbers taking exams in French and German. The proportion of students taking German was down by 8.1 per cent on last year, while French was down by 2.5 per cent.

These Are Some of the Responses Received by the Post Website Www.Icbirmingham.Co.Uk Following Yesterday's Story

The plan to axe the German Christmas market in favour of a British alternative is utterly ridiculous. First, British produce is on sale all year round in the Bullring market - so why have something else just in December? Second the German market is a delightful once-in-a-year chance to sample produce from a country that has a centuries-long tradition of Christmas markets. Third, the market helps to show British people what life is like in Germany, which is after all one of closest allies and ...

Plan to Axe Market 'a Snub to Frankfurt'

The leader of the opposition group on Birmingham City Council yesterday criticised the decision to axe the Frankfurt Christmas Market. Sir Albert Bore was responding to plans revealed in The Birmingham Post yester-day for a Dickensian market during the festive season as a British alternative.

Teenagers Killed in Crash Horror

Two teenagers died and a third was injured when the car they were in hit a tree yesterday. The 17-year-old driver and his 18-year-old front seat passenger were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision on the A500 in Staffordshire.

Danger Driver

A 64-year-old motorist who caused an accident which claimed three lives has been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court took an hour and five minutes to find Guiseppe Constantini guilty of killing a van driver and a couple whose car was crushed by a lorry.

Man Impaled

Plunge Man Serious

Killing Charge

A man has been charged with the unlawful killing of a workman who died after falling 20 feet from a barn in Staffordshire in February. Mark Jones, aged 40, from Knighton in Powys, Wales, was one of three men building a barn on Hill Farm in Sandy Lane, Kinver, on February 2, when he fell.

Uncool Co-Op

A convenience store chain is trying to stop troublemakers gathering outside its shops by playing classical music. In a pilot scheme, the Co-op is broadcasting classical 'baroque- style' tunes on external speakers outside its store in Worcester and three others around the country.

Off the Square