Turton High School introduced a “Year 6.5” support programme three years ago to help pupils entering Year 7 with weaker literacy and numeracy skills from missing out.

Now, staff say demand for the extra support has led to plans to expand the scheme from September.

Laura Bryant, a teacher who is part of bridging these gaps, said some children were still feeling the effects of disrupted learning years after lockdowns ended.

Laura Bryant, who bridges learning gaps from the pandemic, and Alice Lane, Deputy Headteacher. (Image: NQ)

Ms Bryant said: “When children returned to school, they then obviously had gaps in their learning.

“Primary schools did their absolute best to try and plug those gaps. But then inevitably there’s been that lag and gaps that have appeared in children’s learning.”

The specialist support programme sees selected pupils spend part of their week in mainstream Year 7 lessons and part in smaller sessions focused on rebuilding missed knowledge from primary school.

Year 8 pupil Sadie Flitcroft said lessons during lockdown were more difficult because children were learning remotely.

She said: “In maths and English, it was harder. You can’t really hear them as well because of computer speakers.

Alice Lane, Deputy Headteacher, Sadie Flitcroft, Laura Bryant and Jackson Brierley. (Image: NQ)

“Some things, because of Covid, we didn’t learn in primary. But then, when we were introduced to this, we really learned everything.”

She added that being placed in the additional learning, away from her usual friendship group, had initially been difficult.

Sadie added: “I didn’t get put in it with any friends, but I made more friends by not having any because we became really good friends with most of the girls.”

Year 9 pupil Vinny Rimmer said the support had helped improve his confidence in lessons.

He said: “My maths got way better. My reading got better.

Year nine pupils Georgia Walmsley and Vinny Rimmer were the first to join the original classes. (Image: NQ)

“Because you were only in Year 5 and Year 6 during Covid, you didn’t know everything then, and you didn’t have that support from the teachers.”

Staff said the approach was designed to help pupils catch up academically without affecting friendships or confidence during the move to secondary school.

The school, which has around 1,600 pupils, works closely with primary schools to identify children who may benefit from the scheme before they move up to Year 7.

Ms Bryant said: “This HUB provision that we’ve got is that stepping stone for these children to build up their confidence, to step back into the curriculum, and so that they can then be successful as they then go throughout the rest of Key Stage 3.”

Teachers said some pupils had previously become disengaged after struggling with the jump from primary to secondary education.

Year nine pupils Georgia Walmsley and Vinny Rimmer with Ms Bryant. (Image: NQ)

Staff also said they were continuing to see issues linked to missed classroom learning during the pandemic, including difficulties with handwriting, maths and reading analogue clocks.

The school is currently interviewing candidates for the new role, with the successful applicant expected to start in September.

One senior member of staff said bringing in teachers with different backgrounds could help schools develop new approaches to learning support.

They said: “I think it’s something that we would always invite — new specialisms or someone with just a different slant on something.”

Michael Duxbury JP, who lives in Deighton, discovered the rubbish over the weekend of May 16 and 17 while walking his dog in Naburn Lane, just off the A19 in the village near the York to Selby cycle path popular with families and children.

The illegal dumping was reported by Mr Duxbury and by ward councillor Christian Vassie and contractors from City of York Council covered the area with tarpaulin.

City of York Council said it was at the site on Monday, May 18 conducting a search of the waste and investigations have opened.

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Mr Duxbury, 80, said: “This is a disgraceful act by someone who wants to avoid paying for disposal.

“I believe in protecting the outdoors and in doing something about this irresponsible criminality.

“We used to be better than this.

“I have come across it in different parts of York, where my wife and I still walk extensively.

“I think it’s a general malaise.”

As reported by The Press, it comes after York has seen 1,150 fly-tipping incidents from January to April in 2026 – a six per cent increase from the same period in 2025.

Mr Duxbury is former senior legal officer at Leeds City Council until 1988 and said his section would occasionally be instructed to prosecute this type of offence, along with other departments who held sweeping powers.

He said: “With this type of fly-tipper you would always try to find identification.

“If you’re going to do something about it you have got to investigate.

“However, if there’s any power to prosecute it’s going to cost the taxpayer money to do so.”

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said it is “tragic that criminals are willing to destroy the environment just to save the few quid for taking the rubbish to a council tip.” (Image: Councillor Christian Vassie)

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said: “It is tragic that in this country criminals are willing to destroy our own environment like this, just to save the few quid charge for taking the rubbish to a council tip.

“Doubly worrying is the presence of asbestos in this fly-tipped waste.

“This is at the end of a footpath used by villagers and their dogs and children.

“I am glad that council officers are investigating and already have an idea of who is responsible.

“The community will hope that the perpetrators are caught and that CCTV will dissuade others from doing the same thing on other rural roads across York and beyond.”

A spokesperson for City of York Council said: “We can confirm neighbourhood enforcement officers attended the site on Monday (May 18) and conducted a safe search.

“Following this, the fly tip was reported for clearing along with a notification of the presence of asbestos. 

“Investigations are continuing and we’d like to remind readers that fly-tipping penalties (under s33 Environmental Protection Act 1990) carry a Fixed Penalty of £1,000 (reduced to £500 if paid within ten days).

“If prosecuted and convicted further penalties are available to the court including up to £50,000 in fines and 12 months imprisonment.”

The May high record was surpassed in: Heathrow, Greater London (34.4C); Northolt, Greater London (34.2C); Teddington Bushy Park, Middlesex (34C); Benson, Oxfordshire (33.6C); Wisley, Surrey (33.3C); Reading University, Berkshire (33.2C); Wellesbourne, Warwickshire (33.2C); Cippenham, Berkshire (33.0C); Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (32.9C); Charlwood, Surrey (32.9C); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (32.9C) and Santon Downham, Suffolk (32.9C).

Firefighters were called to the River Ure at Aldborough, near Ripon, at around 9am on Sunday (May 24), following reports of two dogs who had got into difficulty.

Fire crews from Knaresborough, Ripon and Richmond attended the scene and found the dogs in a drainage ditch.

Using ladders, firefighters were able to rescue both dogs and reunite them with their owners.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Crews from Knaresborough, alongside Ripon and Richmond swift water rescue, responded to reports of two dogs stuck in the river, on arrival the dogs were found in the drainage ditch.

“Crews used a triple extension ladder and crew power to safely rescue the dogs and reunite them with their owners, safe and well.

This is the perfect walk to embark on in the sunny weather

The sunny weather makes it the perfect time to go on a walk. Across Cambridgeshire, there are many picturesque spots that are best viewed while on a walk. In Cambridge, there is one circular walk that is described as the city’s “best kept secret”. The Coton Corridor features a part of the Great Walk series.

The walk takes visitors through Coton Countryside Reserve, which covers over 300 acres. When planning permission was granted in the late 1990s to create the reserve, it established diverse wildlife habitats, including woodland, bird boxes, ponds, hay meadows, and even an orchard.

The reserve, which forms part of the Cambridge Green Belt, offers people the chance to enjoy great views of the surrounding area of Cambridge.

The route starts at the park in the Cambridge PPF Martin Car Park on Grantchester Road, Coton. To enjoy the walk in full, here is the route you need to take:

• Start at the barn adjacent to the car park, turn left along a concrete track for a few metres and then turn right along a muddy track up to a farm bridge over the M11 motorway. Continue straight across two fields to a lane leading to Barton Road.
• Turn left and walk along Barton Road. Remain on the left-hand side of the road for approximately half a mile to a point where you see a footpath adjacent to Bin Brook immediately after the second house (number 116).
• Follow the footpath to the end, which brings you onto Gough Way. Turn right for 50 yards and cross the road, and turn left into the footpath after number 50, along Bin Brook, turning right, left and right to reach the end of Cranmer Road. Walk down Cranmer Road to the corner of Grange Road next to Selwyn College.
• Turn left and follow Grange Road, past the University Rugby Ground, as far as Adams Road.
• Turn left and follow Adams Road to the corner of Wilberforce Road and the entrance to the university athletics ground, where you will see the start of the footpath in front of you. Follow the footpath, with the West Fields on your left and the University of Cambridge West campus on your right.
• Cross over the M11 footbridge. Shortly after the bridge, either go through a gate on the left through the coppice parallel to the footpath, or stay on the footpath to reach The Plough pub.
• From The Plough, cross the recreation ground in a south-easterly direction, heading for the corner of the bowls club hedge. Walk along with the hedge on your right to the edge of the Rec, turn half right past a yellow house and walk through the plantation to a kissing gate and a footpath alongside Bin Brook. Turn left, and cross the meadows with the brook on your right for about 700 metres, passing through 2 more gates, to return to the CambridgePPF car park.

In the video, which was leaked from a meeting of the party’s ruling body in 2021, the former First Minister warned her officials to be “very careful” about suggesting there were “any problems” with the accounts.

Leaked footage showed Nicola Sturgeon insisting SNP finances had “never been stronger” as she warned staff against reporting issues.

In the video, first published in 2023 by our sister title Sunday Mail, was taken from a meeting of the party’s ruling body in 2021, in which the former First Minister warned her officials to be “very careful” about suggesting there were “any problems” with the accounts.

Her husband Peter Murrell was convicted earlier today of embezzling £400,000 from the party between August 2010 and January 2023.

Murrell, the SNP’s former CEO, admitted using the party’s money to buy items including a motorhome and luxury goods, and towards the purchase of two cars. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Edinburgh High Court next month.

In the video, Sturgeon lashed out after three members of her finance and audit committee resigned in protest because they were refused access to the books.

She said: “The party has never been in a stronger financial position than it is right now and that’s a reflection of our strength and our membership. I’m not going to get into the details…but, you know, just be very careful about suggestions that there are problems with the party’s finances, because we depend on donors to donate.

“There are no reasons for people to be concerned about the party’s finances, and all of us need to be careful about not suggesting that there is. We’ve got to be careful we don’t reap what we sow, if we have leaks from this body it limits the ability for open free and frank discussion.”

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Her statement came after Edinburgh’s former Lord Provost Frank Ross, Allison Graham, and Cynthia Guthrie all resigned from the finance and audit committee. Elected treasurer Douglas Chapman also quit in protest at not being given the financial information to do the job.

Graham had just read out a statement voicing a catalogue of concerns over transparency and governance.

It is anticipated that Murrell will receive a substantial prison sentence. Murrell, who arrived at the court at around 8am, was dressed in a dark blue suit and white shirt during the hearing.

His conviction comes after a long-running police investigation, Operation Branchform, into SNP finances.

Murrell, 61, was appointed chief executive of the SNP in 2001 during John Swinney’s first stint as party leader. He quit as CEO in 2023 after a row over membership numbers and when Operation Branchform was ongoing. He and Sturgeon married in 2010 but the former First Minister last year announced they were getting divorced.

In April 2023, Sturgeon and SNP treasurer Colin Beattie were both arrested as part of Operation Branchform and later released without charge. Sturgeon was arrested again in June 2023 but released without charge seven hours later.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston had oversight of the probe, which had a policing cost of more than £2m.

He said: “This was a lengthy and extremely complex case due to the scale of criminality over a 12-year period and the lengths Peter Murrell went to try and cover his tracks. I commend the professionalism and absolute dedication of the Operation Branchform team who spent more than four years carrying out extensive enquiries across Europe to unpick Murrell’s offending.

“This is without doubt one of the most high-profile investigations in recent times and it is testimony to the work of Police Scotland officers and staff that has led to Peter Murrell’s admission of guilt early in the court process. I would also like to thank the many witnesses who came forward to provide us with statements as we built the case against Peter Murrell. Their engagement with us was vital.

“Peter Murrell has shown utter contempt for the high public trust placed in him as the Chief Executive of a political party and his position in the wider political establishment in Scotland for many years. He abused his privileged position with access to Scottish National Party funds to divert cash into his own accounts and bankroll the lavish lifestyle he craved but could not afford.

“From 2010 to 2022 he spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on luxury goods while carefully trying to hide his criminality with false receipts and accounting. He must now face the consequences of his actions.”

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One of Taylor Reid’s victims was left with scarring and the random attack has had a “detrimental physical and psychological impact” on both.

A thug who attacked two teachers after damaging their car’s wing mirror has been locked up for more than three years.

One of Taylor Reid’s victims was left with scarring and the random attack has had a “detrimental physical and psychological impact” on both.

Reid, 20, was given a 38-month sentence at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

He denied assaulting Dianne Wright and Heather Luxton in Hamilton Road, Bellshill, on July 9 last year, but a jury dismissed his self-defence claim and found him guilty.

Reid was also found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour and breaching a bail curfew.

The court heard the serial offender was the subject of eight separate bail orders at the time.

He was crossing the road when he struck the car’s wing mirror, prompting the teachers to stop and confront him.

Reid, who had been drinking, then started punching both women.

Defence lawyer Diarmid Bruce said Reid had experienced “significant trauma” in his childhood.

READ MORE: Blantyre residents alarmed when stranger turned up on their doorsteps

He “makes the wrong choices when intoxicated”.

Mr Bruce said his client has been in custody since his arrest on these charges and has “struggled to cope”.

He suggested a community payback order could be imposed, adding: “Unpaid work would be a constructive option.

“It gives people something to do when they are at a loose end and are otherwise likely to turn to alcohol.

“Mr Reid is definitely too young to be written off.”

READ MORE: Worker had fingers severed in accident at waste processing plant in Uddingston

However, Sheriff Linda Nicolson said Reid had already amassed a criminal record that included convictions for disorder and offences involving weapons.

The sheriff stated: “These teachers were minding their own business as they drove along the road.

“You forcibly hit their car. They were, understandably, shocked and got out of the vehicle as a result of that.

“I have read the victim impact statements and it’s clear what happened has had a detrimental physical and psychological impact on them.

READ MORE: Drug dealer caught with heroin and cocaine worth £115,000 at Motherwell flat

“I have also heard evidence of the significant injury sustained by one of them.

“I see no alternative to custody in your case but the sentence is less than it would have been for an accused person over the age of 25.”

The 38-month stretch was backdated to August 28 to take account of time Reid has already spent in custody.

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READ MORE: Police found man “covered in blood” after attack outside shop in Hamilton

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum has agreed to allow Iran to be based in the country during the World Cup, claiming the United States were unwilling to host them.

Sheinbaum said her government had been approached by Fifa after the US made it clear it did not want Iran’s squad to stay in the country during the tournament.

“We have no reason to deny them the possibility of staying in Mexico,” Sheinbaum said.

“The United States does not want the Iranian team to stay overnight, but they are going to play three matches there.

“So they asked us: ‘Can they stay overnight in Mexico?’ And we said: ‘Yes, no problem. We have no problem.”

Iran were originally given Tucson, Arizona as their World Cup base with all three of their matches scheduled to take place in the US.

However, the ongoing war in the Middle East and related security concerns has led to uncertainty around their participation.

The World Cup is being co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico, with Iran scheduled to play New Zealand on 15 June and Belgium on 21 June – both in Los Angeles – and Egypt in Seattle on 26 June.

Iran are currently preparing for the tournment in Antalya, southern Turkey.

The BBC has contacted the White House for comment.

Craig Keatley, from Stoneclough, is set to walk 14 miles in flippers to raise money for a cancer hospital after his friend was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

The 56-year-old will walk from The Christie Hospital in Withington to his home district in Stoneclough on June 27 in aid of The Christie charity.

It started originally in the 90s. (Image: Craig Keatley)

The charity challenge comes after his friend, Lee Burns, from Stoneclough, began treatment at the hospital.

Mr Keatley said: “Things like what we’re doing, what my mate’s going through now, puts life in perspective.

“He’s nearly 48, and he’s got bloody cancer, and it’s not a good thing to have.

“I only hope he can prolong his life as much as we can, but, from my point of view, let’s raise a few quid, put a smile on people’s faces and raise awareness.”

Mr Keatley has become known locally for completing long-distance charity walks while wearing swimming flippers.

Craig after an impressive climb up a peak. (Image: Craig Keatley)

Over the years, he has climbed Mount Snowdon in flippers and walked from Liverpool to Manchester wearing them.

He said he first came up with the idea during a night out in the early 1990s before bringing it back for charity fundraising in 2017.

Mr Keatley said: “Every time you go out, you’re faced with the madness of people engaging and filming you because it is bonkers.

“I get a lot of enjoyment from seeing people and seeing their reactions because you get all sorts of reactions.

It’s not his first rodeo. (Image: Craig Keatley)

“Every time I go out, I’m getting beeps, waves and every sort of reaction, which again is good really.”

Mr Keatley said several people are expected to join him on the route, with the event planned around a football World Cup theme.

He said he has raised more than £28,000 for charities through his various challenges over the years, including almost £4,500 for Bolton Community Kitchen.

Mr Keatley added: “The money side is great, the awareness is great, the fun element is great, and the personal challenge is great.

“I don’t think I could have dreamed about doing anything like that because of the miles I’ve done.

He’s been seen in his flippers by many people before. (Image: Craig Keatley)

“You’ve got to train hard, and people stop you and tell me their story.”

One of Mr Keatley’s toughest challenges saw him walk 31 miles from Anfield to Old Trafford in flippers in 2019.

He said: “That was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“I was physically sick at the end of it, and my mates got me over the finish line because if it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have done it.”

Mr Keatley said the support he receives from the public is one of the main reasons he continues doing the challenges.

He added: “People see me on the street and say, ‘You’re the flipper guy’.

“It’s amusing, really, and it’s nice, that little cult status sort of thing.

“I enjoy doing it, and people get a lot of fun from it, seeing me.”

A suspect is in custody following reports a woman was attacked

A man has been arrested on suspicion of rape following reports that a woman was attacked. An area was taped off in the centre of Darwen, in Lancashire, after the alleged attack in the early hours of Monday (May 25).

Police were called to the bottom of Belgrave Road, where it meets the A666, at around 12.55am to reports that a woman in her 20s had been raped.

The small wooded area behind the pair of Grade II-listed tram shelters was cordoned off with police tape after the incident. Two police vehicles remained at the scene throughout Monday amid investigations.

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A suspect, aged 21, has been arrested on suspicion of rape and is in custody to be questioned. Anyone with information about the alleged attack is being urged to contact Lancashire Police.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary told LancsLive: “Shortly before 12:55am today (25th May) we received a report of a rape in Belgrave Square, Darwen.

“An investigation is under way, and a woman in her 20s is being supported by specially trained officers. A 21-year-old man from Darwen has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in custody.

“We know that this is concerning to hear about, but we want to reassure you that we have a dedicated team of officers investigating and have increased patrols by our Neighbourhood officers as a reassurance. We want you to know that if you have any concerns that you can approach them as they conduct their duties.

“If you have information or CCTV or dashcam footage that could assist our enquiries, please call 101 quoting log 0059 of 25th May.”

Darwen town centre had been packed over the weekend as tens of thousands of music-lovers headed to the annual Music Live festival. Sunday’s headliners were The Ordinary Boys with the warm weather drawing crowds into the town.