Reading is the golden key to a lifetime’s opportunities By Roy Blatchford, January 2022 THE Covid pandemic has changed not only the habits of work, but also those of leisure. Having spent more time at home for much of the past two years, we have…

FACE masks are to be worn in secondary classrooms in England’s schools to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant, the government has announced. The temporary reintroduction of face coverings aims to address concerns about schools remaining open for face-to-face learning this coming term. Meanwhile,…

RESIDENTS still have time to have their say on Essex County Council’s (ECC) draft ‘Everyone’s Library Service 2022-2026 draft plan’. The draft plan and survey can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/everyoneslibrary and feedback can be submitted until 1pm on Friday 21st January 2022.  Helping children and adults improve their literacy, encouraging people…

ESSEX County Council has committed to spending its multi-million pound electricity budget on purely green energy suppliers. But it has been decided that schools are no longer included in the council’s energy contracts – sparking a critical response that the county council is avoiding its…

A new initiative has been launched in Essex to support families of neurodiverse children and those with Special Education Needs Disabilities (SEND).  A new Neurodevelopment Family Resource Pack has been created to provide a comprehensive support guide for families with a neurodiverse child. It covers…

HARLOW’S MP, Robert Halfon, has announced the winner and runners-up of his 2022 Christmas card competition. Robert Halfon said: “In all the difficulties in the past year, one of the highlights has been seeing so many special Christmas card designs as hundreds of Harlow school…

ON Wednesday 1 December, nineteen Year 10 students from Passmores Academy set off for the offices of the award-winning architectural firm, Hawkins Brown, in London, as part of their work with the Yes Futures charity. The students have been selected to take part in the…

IF the Tory MP for Harlow’s answer to tackling potential staff shortages in schools caused by the pandemic wasn’t his genuine view it would be laughable writes the leader of Harlow Labour, Councillor Chris Vince. Cllr Vince said: “Once again the Conservative government seems to…

THIS latest government funding announcement of £1.8 million into the town will further boost access to new skills opportunities and support residents into high-quality jobs.  Harlow College will become part of the newly-announced South East Institute of Technology. The investment will be deployed to upgrade facilities…

THIS may be our last catch-up with Harlow MP Robert Halfon this year. Over the eight years we have been interviewing Mr Halfon, there is always a lot to talk about, however, at the moment, we seem to have a lot to talk about. This…

HEALTH and education bosses have written to schools in Harlow schools and advised them regarding changes to Government guidance on Covid. The advice is from Director Public Health, Dr Mike Gogarty and Director of Education, Clare Gogarty Close contacts of confirmed cases of CoronavirusFrom today,…

STUDENTS at St Mark’s West Essex Catholic School have made an invaluable contribution to the Harlow Foodbank. The school council members helped with collecting the items from form rooms, put the items in boxes, packed the school mini bus, all ready for delivery. The contributions…

HARLOW College is set to become a major part of the new £12.9 million South East Institute of Technology announced today. The new Institute of Technology will allow Harlow’s young people to access and train with unique collaborations between employers, colleges and universities that specialise…

MARK Huband, who has died aged 58 of pancreatitis and multiple organ failure, built a strong and lasting reputation over more than three decades as a foreign correspondent and business analyst, specialising in Africa and the Middle East. Mark was born in Low Bentham, Yorkshire, the son…