16 students have gone to Gozo, Malta for two weeks. They are on work experience at the Sacred Heart Seminary school.

They have been delivering English workshops, sessions on life in Leeds, British history and made some scones and Victoria sponge cakes.

Dear Parent/Guardian

RE: Firework Safety and Legal Responsibilities

I hope this letter finds you in good health. I am a Chief Inspector working for West Yorkshire Police and I am the Strategic Partnership Lead for the Leeds area. A lot of my work involves working with schools and young people to keep them and the wider community safe.

As we approach the Bonfire season, I want to take a moment to discuss an important matter that concerns the safety and well-being of your children. Fireworks, although thrilling, can pose serious risks when handled irresponsibly or without proper supervision. It is crucial for you, as parents and guardians, to ensure your children's safety and prevent them from misusing fireworks.

The use of fireworks is regulated by various laws and regulations to minimise the risks associated with them. The primary legislation governing fireworks is the Fireworks Regulations Act 2004, which restricts the sale, possession, and use of fireworks, especially among individuals under the age of 18. It is essential that you familiarise yourselves with these laws and regulations to uphold your responsibilities as parents and guardians.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Age Restrictions: Under UK law, it is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to possess category 2 and 3 fireworks in public places. Retailers are also prohibited from selling category 2 and 3 fireworks to individuals under this age limit.

2. Responsible Supervision: If your child is under 18 and wishes to enjoy fireworks, please ensure that they are always under the supervision of a responsible adult. Fireworks should never be left in the hands of children or teenagers.

3. Noise and Nuisance: Fireworks should not be used in a manner that causes distress to others or constitutes a nuisance. Misuse can lead to noise complaints and potential legal consequences.

4. Legal Consequences: The police take firework-related offences seriously. Robust action will be taken against anyone found committing offences such as underage possession, antisocial behaviour, or misuse of fireworks.

This Bonfire season let's work together to ensure children enjoy fireworks safely and responsibly. By doing so, we can help prevent accidents, protect our communities from unnecessary disturbances, and avoid any legal repercussions.

If you have any questions or concerns about firework safety or UK legislation, please visit the West Yorkshire Police website - www.westyorkshire.police.uk

Wishing you and your family a safe and enjoyable Bonfire season.

Sincerely,

Lucy Leadbeater

Chief Inspector

Leeds Partnerships

The First Story group had the opportunity to work with BBC Radio's 'Contains Strong Language' festival. They visited BBC Radio Leeds in June and presented their poetry at a showcase last Saturday at Leeds Central Library. They are very talented, brave and brilliant!

The next few months are an important time for your child’s school career, as you will need to apply for a secondary school place before the end of October.

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are aware of the situation about threatening emails being sent to some schools in the south of Leeds, which have been shared on Leeds Live and Yapp App.

This isn’t something that is affecting our school, and given the difference in location we don’t expect it to. We are monitoring, as we would on any given day and will contact parents if the situation changes.

Children are currently having a normal productive school day, and are safe in our school.

Many Thanks

Natalie Jones

Headteacher

We are delighted to announce that Co-op Academy Leeds have been awarded the Centre for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education – Gold Award.

Leeds Beckett university has set up the ‘Centre for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education Award’, which recognises and supports schools’ that are committed to meeting the needs of students who identify as LGBTQ+. 

The Centre for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Education is Committed to challenging all forms of prejudice, discrimination and marginalisation towards individuals and collectives in schools and colleges who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/ Questioning and others who have gender identities or sexual orientations that differ from the heterosexual and cisgender majority.

We are so proud to have been awarded GOLD status! We hope this demonstrates our ongoing commitment to ensuring our students develop acceptance of all & celebrate differences in our communities. It’s a fantastic achievement which reflects the inclusive nature of our vibrant learning community.

This is reflected in Ways of Being Co-op…

Do what matters most.  What matters most is ensuring that our students achieve the best possible outcomes.

Be yourself, always.  We bring our best self to work, so that we each contribute a bit of our own unique Co-op difference, and respect others for doing the same. Of course, being yourself isn’t about excusing poor behaviours that contradict our Ways of Being Co-op.

Show you care.  We care about our Co-op, our colleagues, our members, our students, their parents and communities, now and in the future.

Succeed together.  Co-operating is what makes us different, we’re better and stronger when we work together.

Equality and inclusion is important because everyone should get equal opportunity and not feel left out due to their personality, culture or sexuality. Having an LGTBQ+ club allows pupils to have safe space they can go to and be themselves without judgement.

Ren Walder – Year 9

It is important to be inclusive and accepting in school because we want everyone to feel comfortable and appreciated. We want everyone to be able to take part in activities and feel safe when doing so. The LGBTQ+ Club allows pupils to feel comfortable and talk to each other. It builds confidence and friendships, making sure everyone feels safe in school and able to tackle homophobia.

Zahra Ahmadi, Kiara Newby, Kayden Tipple, Lucas Coley and Aimee Johnson – Year 8

I want everyone to feel comfortable in this school so no one feels the need to move schools. Everyone should be supported and feel comfortable no matter their sexuality or gender.

Nicol Kaminska – Year 7

I am absolutely thrilled that the academy’s commitment to LGBTQ+ Inclusion has been recognised with this Gold Award from Leeds Beckett University. It is vital that all students and staff feel safe and supported in schools and that school is a place where young people can express themselves without fear and  consequently develop into confident adults. 

Sadly we still live in a world where prejudice exists, but we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students and giving students the tools and knowledge to challenge homophobia, biphobia and transphobia when they encounter it. 

Natalie Jones, Headteacher