London's first 'mega youth centre'

24 July 2015

(Image credit: Wigan Youth Zone)

News and Updates

London's first 'mega youth centre'

A pioneering £6 million “mega youth centre” is set to get the go-ahead in Barking & Dagenham. It could be the first London borough to approve an OnSide Youth Zone, which provide sports and arts facilities, career mentoring and health sessions to youngsters. The centre will offer more than 20 activities a day — including climbing, nail art, DJ-ing and employability training — for people aged eight to 19. Read more

311 languages spoken in our schools as English starts to die out

More than 300 different languages are now spoken in Britain’s schools, a Daily Express special investigation reveals. Read more

Pressure on primary school places to ease from 2024

New official data published this week revealed for the first time when the squeeze on primary school places might finally ease. The latest projected figures from the Department for Education show that primaries can expect pupil numbers to level out in 2024 after reaching a peak of more than 4.7 million in 2023. That number represents an 8 per cent increase on today's primary population and will bring to an end 14 years of uninterrupted rises. Read more

Crisis of pupils without a place: 35,000 London children could miss a secondary school

Tens of thousands of London children face missing out on a secondary school place by the end of the decade, stark new figures revealed today. A shortage of almost 35,000 places across the capital is expected by 2020 in a growing capacity crisis for schools. Read more

Universities urged to work together to improve access

Universities in England are being urged to work together to ensure young people from less advantaged homes succeed in their degree studies. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) says while there is isolated work going on in individual institutions, it is "fragmented". Read more

DCMS told to model for cuts of up to 40%

Spending Review promises “radical steps” towards the devolution of power across the UK and cuts of up to 40%, but Arts Council England’s Lottery stockpile could soften the blow. Read more

Let’s make work experience purposeful

How do you develop purposeful work experience that gets the Ofsted seal of approval? Ian Goldthorpe, Head of Amersham Campus at Amersham and Wycombe College, addressed this question at a 'Tutor Hack' session with other tutors in the Skills Academy. He shares his thoughts. Read more

The Creative Dimension

One of the country’s leading ceramic conservators, Penny Bendall, is next week launching ‘The Creative Dimension’ – a project aimed at getting professional craftsmen and women to provide teenagers with hands-on crafts skills. For more information, download the PDF below.

Download The Creative Dimension project

Evidence Competition

The annual competition is designed to reward projects that have shown outstanding progress in generating, using and sharing evidence. It offers London-based youth providers, validated at Standard 1, 2 or 3, the chance to win one of five £2,000 cash prizes to help them reach the next step in their evidence journey. This year's competition focuses on innovation. Send your application before the 31st of July. Read more

Opportunities for Young People

Richmix Youth Take Over festival 2015

Following the success of their last two Youth Takeovers, Rich Mix is devoting the building to young people aged 16 to 25 throughout August. Get involved in masterclasses, meet industry professionals, learn about technology and production, and take part in live industry showcases, theatre, gig, beats and much more. Read more

NRg-Xtra Summer School 2015

NRg-Xtra is an exciting dance programme for young people aged 13-18, teaching Hip Hop and Contemporary dance. This Summer they are offering a free NRg-Xtra Summer School at Greenwich Dance from 28 – 31 July. Read more

BP Portrait Award: Next Generation

2015 is the sixth year of BP Portrait Award: Next Generation, engaging hundred of young people aged 14-19-years-old with BP Portrait Award-winning artists and painted portraiture. All events are free, and all materials provided. Bookings now open for all sessions. Read more

Summer Creative Arts Week (24th –28th August)

Albert & Friends Instant Circus present a week of stiltwalking, juggling, dance, clowning, performing and much more. End your summer holidays with a fun filled week you won’t forget. Learn some incredible new skills to show off to your friends and family in a spectacular circus showcase at the end of the week. Aimed at young people aged 5 – 14. Read more

Latest Vacancies

Network Facilitator at Whole Education

Whole Education are recruiting more Network Facilitators to join their growing team. The right candidates will be able to put their talents to great use supporting innovation and improvement in schools, whilst contributing to a growing movement for change in education. Read more

Freelance Artist / Gallery Educator opportunity at Autograph ABP

Autograph ABP is looking for an experienced Artist / Gallery Educator to deliver a series of workshops for school and community groups during our autumn exhibition season (1 October – 5 December 2015). Read more