The hardest secondary schools to get into have been revealed as the window opens for parents and carers to decide where their children will study

The hardest secondary schools to get into in Cambridgeshire have been revealed as parents and carers decide where their children will study next year. The window for applications for pupils starting year 7 in September 2027 opened earlier this month and will run until October 31.

Last year, 7,050 students found out where they’d be heading with 96.7 per cent securing a place at one of their first, second or third preference schools.

The hardest school to get into was Chesterton Community College, with enough places for just 60 per cent of children who put it down as their first preference. Earlier this year, the school was listed as the top performing school in the county – with 83.7 per cent of pupils achieving a Grade 5 or higher in their English and maths GCSEs.

In its latest Ofsted report, the school was rated outstanding in every category, with the inspector finding it has an “extremely high level of ambition for all pupils” which is matched by the pupils’ “own determination to succeed”.

St Bede’s Inter-Church School in Cambridge was the second hardest to get into with 190 places for 301 first-place preferences – a success rate of 63 per cent.

Soham Village College was ranked third with 78 per cent of pupils successfully admitted to 270 places from 247 first-place preferences.

Parents and carers of children about to enter secondary school can submit their applications for places on the county council website.

They have until the national closing date of October 31, after which late applications will be considered once all on-time applications are determined.

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “This year in Cambridgeshire 96.6 per cent of children were offered a place at either their first, second or third preference schools, this is above national benchmarks. Notably, both this year and last year, 5 per cent more children in Cambridgeshire received an offer from their first preference school than did nationally.

“We’re committed to providing the best possible start in life for young people in our county and access to high quality education close to home is key. With population centres changing over time around our growing county, the council’s Education team work hard, in partnership with schools and with careful reference to pupil forecasting figures, to try and ensure we can offer the right numbers of school places, in the right areas, when they are needed.”

While holidaying in Los Angeles, they stumbled across an Emmy Awards pre-party days before the Sons of Anarchy actor’s latest Netflix release.

TikTok creators Nathan and Grace, who post as @nathanandgrace, shared footage of the chance encounter after spotting Newcastle-born actor Charlie Hunnam leaving a Netflix pre-Emmy party.

The duo, who boast over one million followers, couldn’t believe they managed to spark a conversation about their shared North East roots.

TikTok creators Nathan and Grace met fellow Geordie Charlie Hunnam just days before his premiere in the latest season of Netflix’s hit true-crime anthology series, Monster. (Image: @nathanandgrace / TIKTOK)

Speaking to the actor, Grace said: “I’m a fellow Geordie!”

Hunnam asked: “Where did you grow up?”

When Grace said she was from North Shields, Hunnam replied: “Love it. I was just back there for like two weeks in February.”

Grace then told the Hollywood star: “You’re doing amazing.”

The chance meeting came just days before the release of Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story – the latest instalment in Netflix’s hit true-crime anthology series.

The series premiered on Thursday (September 17) and stars Charlie Hunnam as Andrew Borden, the father of accused axe murderer Lizzie Borden.

The eight-part drama explores the infamous 1892 Massachusetts murders of Lizzie Borden’s father and stepmother, for which she was accused but acquitted.

The role marks Hunnam’s return to the Monster franchise after he played serial killer Ed Gein in Monster: The Ed Gein Story last year, earning widespread praise.

Charlie Hunnam Portraying Ed Gein in the last season of ‘Monsters’ (Image: Netflix, Inc)

Hunnam continues to put the North East on the map as one of its most successful acting exports.

Charlie Hunnam visited the Commissioner’s Quay in Blyth back in February. (Image: Commissioner’s Quay)

Charlie Hunnam visited a Malaysian restaurant in Durham back in January. (Image: Chilli Padi)

Born in Newcastle, Hunnam found fame in children’s drama Byker Grove before starring in Queer as Folk, Sons of Anarchy, Pacific Rim, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and The Gentlemen.

The 40-year-old has spoken warmly about returning home, making his conversation with the North Shields creators especially memorable.

The TikTok video has attracted thousands of views over the last two days, capturing the unexpected meeting between two Geordies thousands of miles from home as Hunnam showcases his latest major Netflix role.

There are very few downsides to exercise. But a recent viral story highlighted one of the more embarrassing – and potentially dangerous – issues that can occur when your body reaches it limit with exercise.

Joanna Wietrzyk, the winner of the recent women’s pro Hyrox race in Beijing (a challenging fitness race that blends running and strength), found herself in the spotlight not for her performance – but because she soiled herself during the event.

While there has been plenty of commentary about what happened – and discussions over whether she should have been allowed to continue competing – one thing that hasn’t been said is that such occurrences are not uncommon in athletes.

Those who watched the 2005 London Marathon will remember Paula Radcliffe stopping at the 22-mile mark to “do her business” on the side of the road. Triathlete Taylor Knibb also suffered a similar incident during 2024’s Dubai T100.

Gastrointestinal problems, including diarrhoea, are up to three times more common in professional athletes than in recreational athletes. The impact it has on runners is so common it has even has its own term: runner’s diarrhoea. It’s estimated that up to 90% of runners experience this issue at some point.

But diarrhoea isn’t the only symptom people undertaking strenuous exercise for a prolonged period will suffer from. Abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and even gastrointestinal bleeding may all occur.

There are a few key reasons why intense exercise can have such a detrimental effect on our gastrointestinal system.

The first has to do with the digestive tract itself. The human digestive tract is approximately three times our height. This means it contains a lot of material. It also means our digestive tracts are rarely ever empty. This is particularly true when people are doing long or intense forms of exercise, where they may need to consume pre-workout snacks or drinks to give them energy, alongside fluid or gels during exercise to keep going.

If any problems occur with food when it’s in the stomach, it usually goes back out the way it came in. But if any issues occur with food once it leaves the stomach, it’s a one-way ticket “downwards”.

The small and large intestines hold approximately 300ml and 600ml of liquid content at a time – although this varies from person to person. So you can perhaps see why it can be difficult to stop problems when they arise during exercise.

The second factor relates to blood flow. Our body has a limited amount of blood – around five litres on average, which is circulated around the body. Whatever activity we’re doing changes the distribution of blood around the body. When we exercise, nervous and hormonal signals tell the blood vessels in the muscles and lungs to dilate, increasing the amount of blood flowing to them.

The same signals that cause those vessels to dilate also tell vessels to the gastrointestinal system to constrict. This temporarily reduces blood flow to these organs.

A reduction in blood flow to the intestines during endurance exercise can cause bowel ischaemia. This is where the blood supply to the organ is reduced so much that it can no longer function properly due to insufficient oxygen and nutrients. Standard exercise doesn’t usually cause this, but prolonged and intense exercise increases the risk.

This reduction in blood flow has been shown to cause symptoms such as diarrhoea in athletes. In rare cases, it can also result in bowel blockages.

A prolonged reduction in blood flow, oxygen and nutrients to the intestines can also damage the cells that line the gut. These cells are responsible for absorbing nutrients and water into the blood stream, meaning performance is impaired and dehydration may occur.

The physical effects of intense exercise also cause problems. Our gastrointestinal contents are repeatedly sloshing around with the impact of every step, jump or lunge. This not only places additional force on our gastrointestinal system, it also causes physical microtrauma to the tract’s lining, which can sometimes result in intestinal bleeding.

Thankfully the lining of the intestines has a good capacity for regeneration, so longer term issues are rare. But if microtrauma and intestinal bleeding do occur frequently, it can lead to a “leaky gut”, where the contents of the gastrointestinal tract (including partially digested food, pathogens and bacterial toxins) can leak into the bloodstream. This can lead to a systemic immune response, resulting in pain, cramping and diarrhoea – a condition referred to as exercise induced gastrointestinal syndrome (EIGS).

Once the body decides that it doesn’t want the contents in the intestines any more, it has limited power to stop what comes next. This is despite the fact that the body has two anal sphincters – an internal one and an external one – which work in tandem to stop the gastrointestinal tract from emptying when we’re not ready.

Once enough pressure has built in the gastrointestinal tract, you will experience an urge to “go”. And in the context of Hyrox, the running, pushing, lunging and lifting competitors perform exacerbates the pressure that may already naturally be happening in the gastrointestinal tract.

Wietrzyk’s “accident” isn’t as uncommon as what people may think. As four-time Boston and New York marathon winner Bill Rodgers put it: “More marathons are won or lost in the porta-toilets than at the dinner table.” Wietrzyk’s story is just the latest example of the toll competing at an elite level can have on your body.

It is in the running for an award

Up and down the country there are pizza parlous and restaurants serving up their finest crispy bases and golden stringy cheese. Everyone has their favourite topping combinations, but the UK’s National Pizza Awards is setting out to crown the best.

Sixteen pizzas will go head-to-head in a bid to claim the prestigious National Pizza of the Year title. And this year, there’s a Cambridge pizza in the running. Scott’s All Day’s pizzas have often been described as “insane and delicious”, and now their Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches, Peaches pizza is in the running to be named the best.

This pizza consists of a mozzarella base, peaches, prosciutto, mango habanero hot sauce, parmesan and basil. It costs £17.45, according to the restaurant’s menu. The restaurant, on Mill Road offers other Neapolitan style and Detroit style pizzas such as the traditional margarita, vodka sausage and pepperoni, mushroom and truffle and vegan spicy pineapple Detroit.

Alongside pizza, they have a variety of other options on their menu including pasta, salads, sides, and brunch options such as a bacon and egg sandwich.

The live final for the awards will take place on November 3 at Big Penny Social in London where the winner will be crowned. The pizzas are judged on how the base is made; the flavour profile; how well the pizza is cooked; aesthetic and presentation; texture, quality and consistency; choice and use of ingredients.

Several other finalists also have locations in Cambridge, including Zizzi, Franco Manca and Pizza Pilgrims.

The House of the Dragon star will be taking to the ballroom for the latest series of the BBC show.

Here is everything to know about the actress as she prepares to step onto the dance floor.

Who is Bethany Antonia?

Antonia was born in Quinton, Birmingham, on December 25, 1997, and spent part of her childhood in France before returning to the UK.

She attended Perryfields High School and later studied musical theatre at Birmingham Ormiston Academy.

At age 14, she began training at First Act Workshop and with the British Youth Music Theatre.

Her first professional acting role came the same year in a short film adaptation of The Tempest, produced by the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.

In 2016, she made her television debut on BBC One’s Doctors.

Antonia’s breakout role was as Margot Rivers in the BBC/Netflix series Get Even.

She has since appeared in Nolly, Stay Close, Stath Lets Flats, and Doctor Who.

Since 2022, she has played Lady Baela Targaryen in the HBO series House of the Dragon.

She has also performed on stage, most recently as Eurydice in Hadestown at London’s Lyric Theatre in 2026.

Get the latest Strictly news and updates for the 2026 series in our guide

What has Bethany Antonia said about being on Strictly Come Dancing?

Antonia was the ninth celebrity confirmed for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

She said: “I can’t quite believe that I will be heading to the Strictly ballroom this September.

Bethany Antonia is known for her role as Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon (Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston/BBC Creatuve)

“I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.

“See you on the dancefloor.”

Recommended reading:

Does Bethany Antonia have dancing experience?

Antonia attended BOA Creative, Digital and Performing Arts Academy in Birmingham, where she studied musical theatre until 2016.

Therefore, it is possible she may have done some dance training.

Will you be watching the new Strictly series? Let us know in the comments below.

The Resolution Foundation warns more than 1.1million are facing a ‘cost-of-housing crunch’ as the gap between local rents and benefit support people can claim is set to reach a record high this autumn

Chancellor John Healey is being urged to end a freeze on housing benefit at next month’s Budget to help struggling low-income private renters.

The Resolution Foundation think-tank warns today more than 1.1million are facing a ‘cost-of-housing crunch’ as the gap between local rents and benefit support people can claim is set to reach a record high this autumn. The research shows the gap in London is the widest, with a low-income family renting a two-bedroom home in inner-east London facing a typical shortfall of £324-per-month.

Across the rest of the capital, the shortfall is at least £200, and exceeds £100 each month in more than half of all areas in England, the Resolution Foundation adds. Local housing allowance (LHA) rates, which control the maximum amount of rental support people on Universal Credit can get, have been frozen for most of the past decade.

Unfreezing the rates and linking them to local rents would cost an estimated £2billion by 2029-30. But charities have previously argued the freeze on LHA rates has pushed cash-strapped families – already struggling with the cost of energy and food – into homelessness.

New Prime Minister Andy Burnham also criticised the freeze – first introduced by the Tories – in a major speech before he replaced Keir Starmer in Downing Street. Mr Burnham, who has promised a massive expansion in council homes, said in June the country was in a housing trap where “we are forced to chase rents in the private-rented sector through the benefits system”.

He added: “When governments try to control these costs by freezing Local Housing Allowance, it makes families homeless and places unfunded pressures on councils when they have to pay for temporary accommodation.”

Economist at the Resolution Foundation Stephen Hunsaker said: “The gap between average rents and Local Housing Allowance levels is set to reach a record high this October, and failing to re-peg LHA to actual rents in next month’s Budget could lock in a freeze for another year, and see the gap reach 30 per cent by March 2028.

“Rather than primarily benefitting landlords, our new analysis shows that the last time LHA was re-pegged to local rents in April 2024 it was tenants that benefited, with the fraction of LHA recipients facing a shortfall between their rents and the amount they could claim dropping significantly.”

He added: “With many tenants receiving housing support already going without essentials to pay their rent today, the Government should restore the automatic annual linking of LHA to relieve the pressure on low-income families in the private rented sector.”

Mairi MacRae, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Shelter, also told The Mirror : “Caught between an escalating cost-of-living crisis and skyrocketing private rents, families should be able to rely on housing benefit as a safety net to help cover costs. Yet with the freeze on housing allowance, thousands are left desperately grappling to plug the gap between their income and rent.

“Families are being forced to make impossible choices daily between feeding their family or paying their rent. Tens of thousands are stuck homeless in grim temporary accommodation for months or even years on end because there’s nowhere affordable for them to move to.

“The government must prevent more families from becoming homeless and help those already in temporary accommodation move into a home by unfreezing local housing allowance in the Autumn Budget, so it covers at least bottom third of local rents. The only long-term solution to provide families with a safe and secure home is for the government to deliver the social rent homes we desperately need.”

A Government spokesperson said: “Local Housing Allowance rates are reviewed annually,and future decisions will be taken in the context of the Government’s welfare priorities, and the fiscal context.

“We know there is more to do. That is why we have launched the £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund, are raising the National Living Wage by up to £900 a year for a full-time worker, investing more than £1 billion in homelessness services, and are investing a record £39 billion in affordable and social housing.”

You may already have this item in your kitchen cupboard

Spider season is officially upon us as homes are invaded by eight-legged friends throughout the autumn-winter months. To help keep spiders at bay this spider season, Emily Green, home maintenance expert at Howarth Timber, has shared four simple solutions to make your home less inviting for the creepy crawlies including one item you may find already in your kitchen cupboard.

Households have been warned that large male spiders will descend on UK homes in search of mates as the temperature drops and the rain begins.

There are plenty of reasons your home may be overrun with spiders as September is the most common time of year for these house guests. But for many they are certainly unwanted.

Spiders like to settle in quiet areas where they won’t be disturbed, so are often found in window frames, on ceilings or in dark corners.

Here are four ways expert Emily Green recommends to prevent spiders from entering your home. Love dreamy Welsh homes? Sign up to our newsletter here

Wipe window frames and corners with diluted lemon juice

Citrus is a highly effective spider repellent, so consider wiping window frames and corners with diluted lemon juice, paying particular attention to potential entry points, as this will discourage spiders from venturing inside your home.

Create a chalk barrier around entry points

Another straightforward approach is to draw a thick, unbroken chalk barrier around areas where spiders might gain access. Spiders are reluctant to cross powdery, alkaline surfaces, meaning chalk can be applied around likely entry points such as windows and doors.

Vacuum corners and hidden spaces regularly

Regular hoovering is one of the most effective ways to stay on top of spiders throughout your home. Running the vacuum over corners, behind furniture and along ceilings helps eliminate webs and egg sacs before they have the chance to develop further.

Seal gaps around your home

Spiders possess small, flexible bodies that allow them to squeeze through the tiniest of gaps, so it is worth sealing any small openings around windows, doors and vents to block their route indoors. This will also prevent other insects, such as flies and ants, that spiders pursue inside for food, from entering.

Silicon caulk can be applied around window frames and doors, while rubber or silicon weatherstripping can be fitted beneath doors to close off any remaining gaps.

Around 3,700 visitors were evacuated from the British Museum in London on 18 September after a fire alarm was triggered by an overheating light, leaving many Bayeux Tapestry ticketholders disappointed after waiting hours in lengthy queues.

Thousands of visitors queuing to view the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum in London were left disheartened after the major attraction was evacuated.

The London Fire Brigade reported that a suspected fire prompted the evacuation following reports of smoke at approximately 7.27pm this evening (September 18).

The smoke originated from one of the galleries, not thought to contain the Bayeux Tapestry, but triggered fire alarms and led to the site being cleared, reports the Daily Star.

Fire Brigade officials believe the smoke came from an “overheating light” as roughly 3,700 people were required to exit the premises. The all-clear was issued an hour afterwards once fire crews had examined the building.

A London Fire Brigade spokesman stated: “Crews carried out a systematic search of the building to identify the source of the smoke, which is believed to have been caused by an overheating light.

“Around 3,700 people evacuated the building before firefighters arrived.

“The incident was over for firefighters at 19.27pm, when responsibility for the site was handed back to the building’s management team.”

Numerous visitors had allegedly queued for two hours to gain entry to the British Museum today, with the Bayeux Tapestry drawing larger crowds than normal.

Many turned to social media to express their frustration at the unfortunate episode. One visitor wrote: “Hope everyone’s ok @britishmuseum after the evacuation for a fire alarm. Disappointing for those of who spent an hour and forty minutes after our ticketed time queuing to see the Bayeux Tapestry to get to reach it, and then were told to leave”.

A second frustrated visitor added: “1.5hrs in a queue and now just evacuated from Bayeux Tapestry and British Museum. Soo upset! !”.

While a third recalled: “I was at the British Museum when they started shouting “Emergency!” and “Fire!” and hustled us all outside…! !”

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She is known for her roles in numerous TV shows and films and will now be taking to the ballroom for the latest series of the BBC show.

Here is everything to know about the actress as she prepares to step onto the dance floor.

Who is Jaime Winstone?

Winstone is the daughter of actor Ray Winstone and his wife, Elaine McCausland.

She attended Burnt Mill School in Harlow before studying for a BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at the performing arts department of Harlow College.

Winstone began her acting career in 2004 with a role in the film Bullet Boy.

Her early credits include Daddy’s Girl, Donkey Punch, and TV appearances in Murder Investigation Team, Vincent, Totally Frank, Goldplated, and Dead Set.

She made her stage debut in 2009 in The Fastest Clock in the Universe at Hampstead Theatre.

Other film credits include Made in Dagenham, Anuvahood, Wild Bill, Elfie Hopkins, Powder Room, Tomb Raider, Farming, and Knuckledust.

She has also portrayed Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs, played a young Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders flashbacks, and appeared in Four Lives and Count Abdulla.

What has Jaime Winstone said about being on Strictly Come Dancing?

Winstone was the eighth celebrity announced for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

She said: “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year.

“I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.

“I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly.

“Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor.”

Get the latest Strictly news and updates for the 2026 series in our guide

Does Jaime Winstone have dancing experience?

Although Winstone is new to ballroom dancing, she does have some dance training.

Her BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Harlow College includes acting, dancing, musical theatre and production skills.

Will you be watching the new Strictly series? Let us know in the comments below.