The school opened in 2023 in collaboration with the University of Cambridge

A maths school has been rated as ‘exceptional’ by Ofsted – a rating given to schools that are among the best nationally. The Cambridge Maths School, a specialist sixth form college in Mill Road, has had its first ever Ofsted inspection.

The school underwent an Ofsted inspection in April and has been rated ‘exceptional’ across all five areas. These areas are: inclusion, leadership and governance, achievement, curriculum and teaching, and participation and development.

An ‘exceptional’ grade from Ofsted is considered rare. It is only awarded for “practice that is among the very best nationally, which should be shared with other schools or providers to help them improve”.

Clare Hargraves, head at Cambridge Maths School said: “We are absolutely delighted that the Ofsted report recognises the unique ethos of Cambridge Maths School. Our vision has always been to create a place where a love of mathematics can truly flourish, while opening doors for young people from all backgrounds to access and excel in the mathematical sciences.

“What makes this community so special is not only the depth of academic challenge, but the warmth, inclusivity and shared sense of purpose that students and staff bring every day. It is inspiring to see our students immerse themselves so fully in their learning, while also embracing the rich range of opportunities beyond the classroom that help them grow in confidence, curiosity and ambition.”

Inspectors praised the school for nurturing a “deeply inclusive culture” and that students who attend the school “enjoy the constant debate and discussion in lessons”. Inspectors added that the students “make excellent progress and achieve very highly in examinations”.

Cambridge Maths School opened in 2023 as part of a collaboration with the University of Cambridge. Sixth formers who attend study maths and further maths, and then choose physics, chemistry, biology, or computer science A-levels.

Rajen Shah, Professor of Statistics at the University of Cambridge, and a governor at Cambridge Maths School, said: “The dedication and enthusiasm of students and staff at Cambridge Maths School, and the success of the School’s association with the University, is recognised in this truly exceptional report.

“We look forward to building on this excellent work and providing even more opportunities for the School and the University to learn from each other and inspire a passion for maths in more young people, regardless of background.”

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man who was having an affair with the family’s Brazilian au pair is scheduled to be sentenced Friday for the murder of his wife and a man who was lured to the couple’s home as a fall guy.

Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, claimed that he shot Joseph Ryan after he came across Ryan attacking his wife on the morning of Feb. 24, 2023. But prosecutors said Brendan Banfield and au pair Juliana Peres Magalhães set Ryan up in a scheme to get rid of Christine Banfield, a pediatric intensive care nurse.

Brendan Banfield faces the possibility of life in prison. In addition to murder, jurors in February convicted Banfield of child endangerment because the couple’s 4-year-old daughter was home during the killings.

During Banfield’s trial, Magalhães testified that he had told her he wanted to marry her and have children with her, but he needed to “get rid of” his wife first. He didn’t want a divorce because “she would have more money than he would” and because he wanted custody of the couple’s daughter, said Magalhães, who was 21 when she started working for the Banfields in 2021.

Magalhães told jurors that she and Brendan Banfield had impersonated Christine Banfield on a website for sexual fetishes. They used the site to lure Ryan to the house in Herndon, Virginia, for a sexual encounter involving a knife and staged the scene to look as though they had shot a violent intruder.

Magalhães testified that on the day of the killings, she waited in a car outside the house with the Banfields’ child. When Ryan arrived, she called Brendan Banfield, who was waiting at a nearby McDonald’s. The pair took the child to the basement and then went to the bedroom, where they encountered Ryan. Brendan Banfield shot Ryan and then stabbed Christine Banfield with the knife Ryan had brought. When Magalhães saw Ryan moving, she fired a second shot that killed him.

Magalhães pleaded guilty to manslaughter after agreeing to testify against Brendan Banfield. Magalhães was sentenced to 10 years in prison after Banfield’s trial.

The Fry Awards have named the best fish and chip shops across the UK, with Yorkshire well-represented among the top 50

It’s time to celebrate the finest of British food, as the Fry Awards unveil their coveted honours for fish and chips across the country.

Not that we require an excuse for fish and chips, but what better occasion to sample your neighbourhood chippy than National Fish and Chip Day today.

Taking place annually to recognise the importance of our national dish, it provides our cherished chippies an opportunity to sparkle.

And if you’re searching for an exceptional serving of chips, have a look at some of those which secured recognition in the Fry Awards, who revealed their leading choices for fish and chips throughout the UK.

These standings follow months of undercover assessments by judges who’ve been sampling fare at chippies nationwide, evaluating them on crucial elements including food quality, cleanliness, staff, and value for money, reports the Mirror.

Only those venues securing the highest marks made the grade, with an impressive pass mark of 96% or above needed in both categories. The awards, now entering their 13th year in 2025, demonstrate that Britain’s passion for proper grub continues as robust as ever.

The top 10 restaurants span a range of locations, from the southern coastline of Devon right up to Glasgow in Scotland, with the majority nestled in picturesque coastal towns.

Nevertheless, London’s only representative in the top restaurants list, Toff’s of Muswell Hill, succeeds in holding its own amongst the competition.

10 Best Restaurants

Catch, Giffnock, Glasgow Eric’s Fish and Chips, Hunstanton, Norfolk

Fish City, Belfast. Harbour Lights, Falmouth, Cornwall

Pier Point Bar and Restaurant, Torquay, Devon

Squires Fish Restaurant, Braunton, Devon

The Elite, Tritton Road, Lincoln, Lincolnshire

The Magpie Cafe, Whitby, North Yorkshire

The Scallop Shell, Bath, Somerset

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Toff’s of Muswell Hill, Muswell Hill, London The comprehensive list includes a substantial number of Yorkshire businesses, with seven entries in total, featuring notable names such as Lighthouse Fisheries of Flamborough and Two Gates Fisheries.

Essex, famous for its cherished seaside resorts like Southend-on-Sea and Clacton-on-Sea, also secured its place with four fish and chip takeaways receiving accolades, making considerable waves in the seafood industry.

Competition organiser Reece Head commended the victors, stating: “Another year has passed and, once again, these shops have shown resilience, adapting to today’s challenges with remarkable dedication.

“At a time when inflationary pressures are being felt, these businesses continue to stay positive and prioritise their customers, maintain exceptional standards, and find innovative ways to keep fish and chips affordable.

“Starting the year as award winners is a fantastic way for fish and chip shops to kick off 2025, setting the tone for a successful year ahead.

“Whether served in a restaurant, a takeaway, or from a mobile unit, the Fry Awards prove that quality fish and chips can be enjoyed anywhere.”

The nation’s fish and chip shops have proved their value yet again, with the best securing coveted spots in this year’s awards – an excellent start to 2026 for businesses battling tough economic times while maintaining exceptional quality at reasonable prices.

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Best Takeaways (in alphabetical order)

Ainsworth’s Fish and Chips, Caernarfon

Angel Lane Chippie, Penrith, Cumbria Angell’s Fisheries, Newark, Nottinghamshire

Batterfly Fish and Chips, Surbiton, Surrey

Bredon Village Fish and Chip Shop, Bredon, Worcestershire

Callaway’s Fish and Chips, Dorchester, Dorset

Churchill’s Fish and Chips Langney, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Farnham’s at Fontygary, Rhoose, Vale Of Glamorgan

Fiddlers Elbow, Leintwardine, Herefordshire

Fintans Fish and Chip Co. Llanishen, Cardiff

Fishnchickn, Hutton, Brentwood, Essex

French’s Fish Shop, Wells next the Sea, Norfolk

Garioch Fish Bar, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Greg and Lou’s, Redruth, Cornwall

Henley’s of Wivenhoe, Colchester, Essex

Hiks, Brynhyfryd, Swansea

Hirds Family Fisheries, Halifax, West Yorkshire

Howe and Co 55, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Joe’s Traditional Fish and Chips, Strabane, County Tyrone

Kellaway’s Fish and Chips, Truro, Cornwall

Kirbys of Horsforth, Horsforth, Leeds

Kirbys of Meanwood, Meanwood, Leeds

Lighthouse Fisheries Of Flamborough, Flamborough, East Yorkshire

Malt and Anchor, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Moore’s Fish and Chips, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway Oysters Fish and Chips, Lightwater, Surrey

Oysters Fish and Chips, Marlow Bottom, Buckinghamshire

Pennington Plaice, Leigh, Greater Manchester

Pier Point, Torquay, Devon

Pisces, Fleetwood, Lancashire

Portside Fish and Chips, South Elmsall, Leeds

Portside Fish and Chips, Kirkstall Road, Leeds

Quintiliani’s Fast Food, Hamilton, Larkhall, South Lanarkshire

Redcloak Fish Bar , Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire Sea Blue Fisheries, Clowne, Derbyshire

Sea Salt + Sole, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire

Seafront Chippy, Hornsea, East Yorkshire

Shappy Wheels, Shap, Cumbria

Shaws Fish And Chips, Dodworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire

Squires, Braunton, Devon

Sykes Fish and Chips, Manchester

DIBBINE, Lebanon (AP) — Israel’s air force struck different parts of southern Lebanon on Friday as the military issued evacuation warnings for nine villages, including one that has been spared much of the destruction and was sheltering thousands of people displaced by the three-month war.

Six people were killed, Lebanon’s state news agency reported. The warnings forced hundreds of families to flee the village of Anqoun and the area of Aarnaya, on the edge of the predominantly Christian village of Maghdoucheh, near the southern port city of Sidon.

The strikes came a day after the Hezbollah militant group rejected the latest ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government, and demanded a complete Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon.

Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a strong ally of Hezbollah who has been acting as a mediator on behalf of the group, said in his first comment on the agreement reached in Washington this week that he accepts Hezbollah’s withdrawal from the areas south of the Litani River as long as it coincides with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

The river, located about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border with Israel, forms the boundary of a 2006 U.N.-established buffer zone in which Hezbollah is banned. Israeli troops have currently pushed far past the Litani River into southern Lebanon.

Berri added in a statement that the ceasefire should be “complete and comprehensive” without any restrictions or conditions on land, at sea and in the air, and “without bulldozing and demolishing everything that exists.” He was referring to wide areas that have been demolished by Israeli troops.

Berri criticized the creation of “pilot zones” in the agreement as well as calls for a unilateral ceasefire by Hezbollah and its withdrawal from border areas south of the Litani River.

Lebanese and UN troops take positions in a village vacated by Israeli soldiers

The war in Lebanon, where Israeli forces have seized large swaths of the south since March 2, threatens efforts to end the Iran war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has demanded that any lasting truce extend to Lebanon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faces elections later this year, wants to press ahead with Israel’s offensive until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat.

Nearly three hours after the evacuation warnings were issued by the Israeli military’s Arabic spokesperson, Israeli warplanes struck the villages, including Anqoun. About 2,500 people displaced by the fighting were sheltering in Anqoun, the Lebanese news agency NNA reported.

On Friday, U.N. peacekeepers and Lebanese troops were seen at an entrance of the village of Dibbine, near the town of Marjayoun, after Israeli forces withdrew following intense clashes with Hezbollah fighters.

The ceasefire agreement calls for Lebanon’s armed forces to take control of security zones in Lebanon from which the militants would be banned.

It was the first time Israeli troops pulled out from an area in southern Lebanon since the latest Israel-Hezbollah war began three months ago. At the entrance of the village, dozens of homes were seen destroyed as a result of the clashes and airstrikes. A bulldozer for the peacekeeping force was opening the main road leading to Dibbine.

Israeli troops have seized around a fifth of Lebanon, pushing further into the country’s south than at any time since the end of Israel’s 1982-2000 occupation. The latest declared ceasefire came about through U.S.-brokered talks between Israel and Lebanon’s government, which accuses Hezbollah of dragging the country into war and had made efforts to disarm it before the latest hostilities.

On Thursday night, an airstrike in the southern city of Tyre killed three and wounded seven people, including three children and two women, the Health Ministry said.

More than 3,500 people have been killed in Lebanon since the war began. The fighting has killed at least 29 Israeli soldiers and three civilians.

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Associated Press writer Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.

“While many will see some sunny spells today, cloud will build bringing a small chance of isolated showers later. A maximum temperature of 18°C is predicted. Through the weekend and into next week, conditions turn more unsettled at times, with outbreaks of rain, breezy periods, and temperatures hovering around or slightly below normal.”

Year 3 and 4 pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School had parents and friends cluck in delight as they staged the heartwarming musical Spring Chicken.

A school inspection delayed rehearsals, limiting pupils’ time to practise to just two weeks.

But the boys and girls delivered peerless performances to packed houses filled with humour, catchy tunes, and energy.

Putting a feather in their caps, the cast of Spring Chicken which was performed by Year 3 and 4 pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School (Image: Supplied)

The musical captured perfectly the ethos of Barney Prep as it embodied the school’s values of courage, teamwork, self-belief, and resilience.

Co-director Nina Summerson-Brown said: “The children were magnificent, especially as they really hadn’t had that much time to rehearse because the school was being inspected.

“Every one of the cast gave it their all and the audiences really appreciated their efforts.

“We believe in the importance of performing.

Putting a feather in their caps, the cast of Spring Chicken which was performed by Year 3 and 4 pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School (Image: Supplied)

“Our children are on stage from the moment they join the school, either in chapel or in various performances throughout the year.

“This is invaluable in enhancing the soft skills they will need to thrive in an increasingly complicated and technology-driven world.

“It gives them self-confidence, resilience and character – a bit like the chicks in the musical – and it makes the transition through Prep and Senior school into adulthood so much easier.”

Putting a feather in their caps, the cast of Spring Chicken which was performed by Year 3 and 4 pupils at Barnard Castle Preparatory School (Image: Supplied)

The former wife of a nephew of Dubai’s ruler has allegedly been detained amid an ongoing custody battle for their children.

Zeynab Javadli’s lawyer told news outlets her family and friends raised the alarm after losing contact with her since Tuesday night.

She had allegedly been facing threats and intimidation for years after divorcing her husband and was ordered to hand over the children to him two months ago, Ms Javadli’s lawyer David Haigh said.

Dubai’s Public Prosecution told the BBC the 34-year-old former gymnast was detained following a complaint made by her ex-husband and father of her three children, Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

He had accused her of abducting the children during a court-approved visitation session, BBC reported.

The Independent has reached out to Dubai’s Public Prosecution and David Haigh for comment.

Mr Haigh said Ms Javadli spent months largely confined to her home, fearing that security officers would arrest her and remove her children from her care. He said she was warned she could face “coercive force” unless she dropped her custody bid, which triggered a dispute with the kingdom’s ruling family.

Mr Haigh told The Sun: “Zeynab’s home in Dubai has now been confirmed as locked and empty. This was not unexpected.

“From the moment of her divorce from the ruler’s (Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum) nephew in 2019, Zeynab was subjected to horrific and unrelenting abuses: attacks on her home, threats of arrest, and a travel ban that made her, in every meaningful sense, a hostage in her own home.”

He said when the last raid happened at her home, she livestreamed it to the world, desperately appealing for international help.

In 2020, a young woman claiming to be Sheikha Zeynab Javadli, a former Azerbaijani gymnast, posted a video to her Instagram account. It apparently showed a “raid” on her home by people linked to her husband, The Independent’s Bel Trew reported.

The footage was widely shared online by campaigning groups including the Free Latifa campaign and Detained International. In it, she shouts that she is being persecuted. She claims to have been refused food and water and that her parents were being arrested.

The Independent could not independently verify the video or the allegations.

Mr Haigh urged the Emirates to provide Ms Javadli with immediate access to legal counsel, consular assistance, and to allow her to return to her home.

The Dubai Public Prosecution in a statement to BBC said the subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

“[We] will continue to take the necessary legal measures in accordance with applicable laws, while safeguarding the children’s wellbeing and best interests,” it added.

The airline shared an important reminder for passengers, especially travellers making long journeys

easyJet has urged passengers to stay hydrated and keep mobile during flights. The airline shared the guidance on its website, alongside other health tips, to help keep passengers safe in the air.

On a dedicated page about boarding and flying, easyJet highlights the risks of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), which is a blood clot in a vein. While rare, the condition can prove fatal, The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital explains. The NHS hospital explained: “Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot (also known as a thrombosis) that forms in a deep vein, most commonly in your leg or pelvis which can cause pain and swelling.

“If a clot becomes dislodged and passes through your blood vessels it can reach your lungs, this is called a pulmonary embolism which can cause breathlessness.” People who make long journeys face a higher risk of getting DVT.

According to The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital: “The risk of DVT within the general population is 1:1000. This risk is increased with long journeys (more than four hours), particularly flying. The evidence is less conclusive for shorter journeys and flights but if you are at high risk it would be worth taking precautions.”

easyJet shared similar advice on its website, alongside a number of practical tips for flyers. The airline said: “Sitting for long periods poses the greatest risk in developing DVT. Here are some useful tips:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after the flight
• Keep mobile – walk around the cabin whenever you can
• Move about in your seat and change position
• Avoid crossing your legs
• Wear support tights.”

What does the NHS say about DVT and planes?

The NHS website states that you have a higher chance of getting DVT if you go on a long journey of more than four hours, by train, plane, or car. The guidance said: “If you’re travelling for four hours or more by plane, train or car, there are things you can do during the journey to lower your chances of getting DVT. These include:

• wearing loose clothing
• drinking plenty of water
• avoiding alcohol
• walking around when possible.”

According to the NHS, DVT is more likely for some people, including people who are aged over 60, smoke, have varicose veins, or take certain contraceptives. The NHS added that sometimes DVT happens for no obvious reason, reports the Mirror.

Health experts say symptoms of DVT in the leg include throbbing pain in one leg, swelling in one leg, swollen veins, and red, blue or darkened skin around the painful area. These symptoms could also appear in your arm if the clot is there.

“Sometimes the only symptom you may have is pain in your lower tummy. This is a symptom of pelvic vein thrombosis, but this is rare,” the NHS added.

The NHS said you should ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 if you think you have DVT. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have symptoms and feel short of breath or have chest pain.

The health authority explained: “DVT can be very serious because blood clots can travel to your lungs. This is called a pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening and needs treatment straight away.”

“A lot of people were disappointed with me coming to Yorkshire, but if you can change the mind of one person you’ve done a great job.

“Yorkshire have been doing a great job, so why not be part of that? There might be people from the same background as me, a South Asian background, who were probably hesitant to come and be themselves and play, and I don’t want anyone to ever think that.”

Performing for the team and helping to encourage inclusivity went hand in hand, he said.

“My main job is to perform and do well for the county, and hopefully win a trophy within the next two years but if you make any sort of difference…

“It’s such a vast area and there are a lot of South Asian players. Hopefully there can be a lot more players coming through the county system who don’t feel there are issues that could hold them back.

“I just want people to come and express themselves, play their game and enjoy the game with everybody else. There are ups and downs in cricket and in life but sometimes you’ve just got to deal with it.

“All the counties and ECB are trying to find ways and doing a good job. My dad always said to me that if you score a lot of runs, teams have to pick you, and that’s the main thing for a professional cricketer, to perform.

“You just want to make it easier for everyone, give them the idea that no matter what background you are from, no matter what you look like, no matter what you do, there is no sort of barrier in the way. That’s what it is about and that’s how it should be.”

Ali spoke about his desire to “build bridges” when he first signed for the club, but said his priority was to perform for his new county and help them to their first T20 Blast title.

He has already started to make good on that, with a 35-ball 50 against Derbyshire, and excellent economy rates as a bowler in his opening three matches.

“If I can come to Yorkshire and help us win the Blast within the next couple of years that will be amazing,” he said.”That will be one of my best achievements as a cricketer. I’m at the back end of my career and just want to win trophies.”

Residents in South Tees are being encouraged to sign the South Tees Carers Pledge as part of the awareness campaign, which takes place from June 8 to 14 and aims to highlight the vital work of unpaid carers and encourage support from individuals, businesses, and organisations.

The campaign is led by We Care You Care and supported by Middlesbrough Council, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Carers Together, The Junction Foundation, and Teesside Mind.

Stacey Skilton, head of service at WithYou in Redcar and Cleveland and a workplace carers’ champion (Image: Supplied)

Stacey Skilton, head of service at WithYou in Redcar and Cleveland and a workplace carers’ champion, said: “Recognising and supporting carers is essential for every employer.

“Creating a workplace where carers feel valued strengthens relationships, improves staff retention, and builds a more resilient and compassionate workforce.”

This is the second year of the pledge campaign, which seeks to raise awareness of unpaid carers across South Tees.

An estimated 30,000 people in the area provide unpaid care to family members or friends.

Pat Matten, a carer from Saltburn (Image: Supplied)

Pat Matten, an unpaid carer from Saltburn, said: “Too often, carers are overlooked.

“There have been times when I’ve felt ignored as a carer and excluded from conversations about care, despite being the person providing most of the support at home.”

Unpaid carers support loved ones for reasons including illness, disability, mental health conditions, or substance dependency. Many balance this role alongside work, education, and family life.

Melanie Kendall, project lead for We Care You Care, said: “Many people don’t recognise themselves as carers because they see what they do as simply being a husband, wife, parent, child, or friend.

“But caring is a role that can have a significant impact on a person’s health, wellbeing, and daily life.

“Too often, carers miss out on support because they don’t identify themselves as carers or don’t know where to turn for help.

“This Carers Week, we want every unpaid carer across South Tees to feel seen, valued, and aware of the support available to them.”

Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face, and recognise their contribution to families and communities.

Information stands will be available at Parkway Shopping Centre in Coulby Newham and James Cook Hospital on Monday, June 8, and at Redcar Market on Friday, June 12.