Although it’s August, it’s my privilege and role to look after all in our Royal Town - together with my teams in Westminster and in Sutton Coldfield. If we can help, please let us know.
A level results
A big congratulations to all AS, A Level, and T Level students who received their results yesterday after much hard work over the past year.
Regardless of your results there are always so many opportunities available through clearing and plenty of choices for your next steps, whether that’s training on the job through an apprenticeship, or continuing studying in higher levels, including through Higher Technical Qualifications. I am sure you are all on your way to do incredible things, wherever your paths now lead you.
Across all of our brilliant schools, teachers have been on hand to help give advice and guidance. The National Careers Service also provides free and impartial careers advice and information - Exam results | National Careers Service They also run a dedicated exam results helpline.
You can find more information and advice here:
If you would like to explore some excellent job opportunities across the West Midlands, you can do so here:
In the short time since results were announced, we bring you summaries from 5 of our 7 excellent secondary schools in the Royal Town, and we bring news from Sutton Coldfield Grammar School and bishop Walsh next week.
Our well-respected local author and journalist, Gary Phelps, has provided an A-Level results round-up encapsulating the great success stories across the Royal Town yesterday:
‘Sixth Formers at Sutton’s schools have been picking up their A Level results this week, and while national headlines may have focussed on changes to grades, the mood in the Royal Town was very much about celebrating the achievements of our talented young students.
John Willmott
Amanda Sharp, Head of Sixth Form at John Willmott School, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our Year 13 cohort today. They have been a wonderful cohort, have worked hard since the first day of Year 12, and are destined for success in the many and varied pathways they have chosen. It is a source of great comfort that these young people will be the leaders of tomorrow.”
Nicola Gould, Headteacher, said: “I am delighted for our students who have achieved much-deserved success. My sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff who have supported our students with such commitment and dedication over the last two years. Congratulations to all our students who leave with our very best wishes for the future!”
John Willmott A-levels 2023 – exceptional students et to study medicine
Two John Willmott students excelled and are now both set to study medicine.
Hunor Veres achieved a remarkable five A* grades in Biology, Chemistry, Further Maths, Maths and Physics and has won a place at Oxford. Tatenda Mutonga achieved and A and two B grades and is set to study medicine at Birmingham University.
Plantsbrook School
Plantsbrook School’s Acting headteacher Ian Barton said: “At Plantsbrook, we encourage all of our students to aim high and to be the best version of themselves, so we are very proud to see them well prepared for the next stage of their lives.
“The results they have achieved recognise the hard work they have put in. Students are progressing to a wide variety of different university courses, apprenticeships and employment and we wish them well for their future.”
Among the highest achievers at in Plantsbrook School A-levels 2023 were Eve Benson (A*, A*, A*), Zara Buchanan (A*, BTEC Distinction*, A*), Oliver Campden (A*, A*, A), Lucy Elwell (A*, A, BTEC Distinction*), Ruby Harrop (A*, A*, A*), Cameron Jack (A, A*, A), Archie Morris (A*, A*, A) and Tessa Morris (A*, A, A).
The Arthur Terry School
Arthur Terry Headteacher Samantha Kibble heaped praise on gifted students whose hard work and commitment has been rewarded on A-level results day.
Mrs Kibble said: “We are incredibly proud of our students for achieving fantastic A-level, BTEC and RSL results! Our Year 13 students have demonstrated their ongoing commitment and resilience to their studies. Our students should be very pleased with their results and we wish them all the best in their next steps.”
Adam Ball, Assistant Headteacher at the school, added: “Our students have worked so hard throughout this year, showing exceptional commitment and dedication.
“I would like to especially highlight the outstanding achievement of Eve Beck for achieving A*, A*, Distinction *, Maya Benjamin and Will Lander for achieving A*, A*, A, Billy Yeomans for achieving A*, Distinction *, A, Annabelle Parnell-Lea, Samuel Harvey, James Nuttal and Rabia Saddiqah for achieving A*, A, A and Charlie Chadwick for achieving Distinction*, A, A.
Fairfax Academy
Fairfax Academy Principal, Sean Castle said, “We are delighted that our students have enjoyed so much success following the challenges they faced throughout the pandemic period.
“Despite not having sat formal GCSE examinations in 2021, our students approached their Y13 assessments with resilience and maturity, and we have been incredibly proud of them.
“Students at Fairfax Sixth Form continue to make strong progress in a range of academic and vocational subjects.
“The staff at Fairfax would like to congratulate all of our students whose hard work has paid off; we are delighted for them and wish them every success in the next stages of their employment, education and training.”
For more news on local education – and lots more pictures – visit https://suttonschoollife.co.uk/
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School is delighted to celebrate the many outstanding achievements of all their Year 13 pupils in the ‘A’ level examinations this summer.
Our young people are going on to further study and training with a wide range of excellent universities, including eight students meeting their Oxbridge offers, and outstanding degree apprenticeships with businesses such as Dyson, Jaguar Land Rover, HSBC and the BBC. One of our students will even be studying for a degree while also training to be a royal navy officer!
These achievements are striking given the fact that this cohort spent their GCSE years living in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, which has had a massively disruptive impact on their learning.
This year, 80% of the grades awarded were at A*-B. Grades were up from the last ‘normal’ set of examinations in 2019: the A*-B percentage increased 4% and the A*/A% is up 8% to 56% A*/A.
22 pupils impressively attained three or more A* grades. Well done to Akeem, Alex, Amaan, Cian, Daniel B, Daniel G, Dominic, Harry, Joseph, Matthew, Ned, Oliver, Rahul, Sam, Shravya, Sophie, Suleman, Wiktor, William, Yash, Zach and Zain. In total, 89 pupils attained three ‘A’ grades or better.
We are immensely proud of the resilience, hard work and achievements of all our students.
They have shown such impressive levels of maturity, and good humour, playing an active role in the life of our school community throughout their time with us, whether that be as leaders and mentors, through charity work (the Giving Tree project enabled the distribution of an amazing 2005 gifts to those in need last Christmas) or through their vibrant contributions to Vesey sports, music and drama.
Our teachers are also to be congratulated on their hard work to ensure our pupils are able to progress onto further education and training.
We look forward to celebrating all the achievements of our new ‘Old Veseyans’ at a special evening celebration for parents and leavers on 21st March 2024 at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall.
Next week, news from Sutton Coldfield Grammar School and bishop Walsh School.
Progress on our cinema
I have received an update from Anthony Whitehead from our very good and strong local support cinema group FoCiS (Future of Cinema in Sutton Coldfield), who I have worked closely with in trying to see our cinema up and running again.
For those who don’t know the Future of Cinema in Sutton (FoCiS) was set up in January 2022 to campaign to save Sutton’s last remaining purpose-built picture house as a place to show films.
In the light of the recent demise of Empire Cinema Group and the fact that a receiver has been appointed to sell off remaining assets, FoCiS is now moving to the next phase- to ally itself with other groups to help bring about a successful outcome.
At the moment, the agents (CBRE) reportedly see an established cinema operator as their best sale option, however FoCiS believe that an unaided commercial operator can make a profit.
Therefore, it is encouraging news that West Midlands Community Cinemas and Art Spaces CIC (a not-for-profit with a track record for delivering community cinema projects) are currently in discussion with CBRE.
Their trump card is access to charitable and partnership funding denied to businesses.
A community cinema run for, and with, the Royal Town community is a beguiling option, with the potential of being more open and autonomous with the ability to vary programmes to suit local demand, as well as incorporate other compatible uses such as a lively hub and community meeting place.
So, the outcome is finely balanced. And while FoCiS sees big benefits in favour of a community option, ultimately it will come down to hard cash! To succeed, a potential community operator will have to present a convincing case to justify partnership investment.
I look forward to the day we can all sit down together and enjoy the first new film to be shown to the background soundtrack of champagne corks. None of this is easy but this is our ambition and we will do our very best.
Royal Sutton Coldfield among the safest places to live, according to Birmingham Mail
Royal Sutton Coldfield is amongst the safest places in the West Midlands according to statistics from West Midlands Police.Indeed it is one of the safest places in the country.
You can read the article here: Mapped: The 'safest' places to live in Birmingham - including area bordering crime hotspot - Birmingham Live (birminghammail.co.uk)
The £500 Speaker’s ‘Democracy For All’ Small Grant Scheme
The Speaker’s ‘Democracy For All’ Small Grants Scheme has been launched, funded through the income from the sales of Christmas cards and tours of Speaker’s House.
This brilliant initiative offers an opportunity for constituents to bid for £500 to deliver local constituency arts and educations projects with a focus on increasing the understanding of Parliamentary democracy across the UK.
So, if you are a school or organisation in the Royal Town and would like to be considered for this grant, then please email me by 23rd August, and I will select the top contender to be considered by the Speaker.
Above: A room in Speaker’s House in Parliament, the part of the Palace of Westminster where the Speaker conducts official business and lives.
Guided tours of Speaker's House are running from July to early October 2023 and tickets are currently available to purchase- The State Apartments Of Speaker's House Tour Tickets and Dates (seetickets.com)
Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023
We are thrilled to launch the Royal Sutton Coldfield Conservative Association Annual Dinner 2023 this weekend!
Our speaker this year is the infamous, lively and passionate Rt Hon Johnny Mercer MP, my cabinet colleague and Minister of State for Veterans Affairs, who will be sure to provide us all with a phenomenally entertaining talk.
Please do join us at 7pm on Friday 3rd November 2023 at Moor Hall Hotel for a wonderful three course dinner and a fantastic evening with local Conservative friends, supporters and neighbours.
Tickets are £50 each, and tables of 10 can be purchased for £500.
We have already pre-sold a number of tables, so please reserve your place quickly to avoid disappointment.
Tickets can be reserved by emailing ckhorrocks@yahoo.co.uk
Above: Last year our guest of honour was former prime minister Theresa May, seen here with senior royal town Tories, your Member of Parliament, and your brilliant regional mayor Andy Street. The former Prime Minister spoke to a full house in what was a very successful and enjoyable event.
Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield
I have received the below from Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network (SCHN):
‘Dear friends
I am delighted to send links to both the programme for Birmingham Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield and to an exciting photo competition running alongside it.
The programme has been co-ordinated by Sutton Coldfield Heritage Network (SCHN), a loose association of individuals and local societies with history or heritage interests.
SCHN has now adopted a constitution and is setting up a community group business account with Lloyds Bank. We also have Facebook and Twitter accounts.
While this formalises the Network to a certain degree it changes nothing about the membership, which remains a non-subscription body.
As in 2022 SCHN has received a generous grant from Sutton Coldfield Charitable Trust (SCCT) to support some of the events between 8th and 17th September 2023, for which we are extremely grateful.
Information about the programme for this year's Birmingham Heritage Week in Sutton Coldfield is live on the main Birmingham site and the following link goes directly to the SCHN Eventbrite page for the Sutton Coldfield programme:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/sutton-coldfield-heritage-network-50629663033
A brochure will shortly be printed for venues too.
We are also launching a photo competition (link here: https://sites.google.com/view/schn-photo-comp/home)
We do hope you might consider participating yourselves and sending this information to your your friends and contacts to encourage them also to take part in the competition and sign up for the events. While some have quite limited capacity and are booking up fast, the big open days will have room for many visitors.’
#MYTOWNHALL
Your Town Hall requires donations to protect our heritage building for future use.
We are launching an APPEAL FOR £200k in order to continue to support Your Town Hall and protect it for the future community use, value and enjoyment.
In this present situation of rising material prices, heating bills and social costs, why should YOU consider supporting your town hall? Because it is a precious historical building, an asset to the area, and the Trust needs support to keep it functioning.
How to Support:
We are asking you to be as generous as you can, to enable the Town Hall to meet its present commitments. We are relying on your support. Every little helps !
Thank you!
From all of the team at Sutton Coldfield Community Town Hall Trust and the trustees.
Donate with PayPal Giving Fund
You can read and subscribe to the Town Hall’s newsletter here: The Town Hall Presents: Summer is Here! (mailchi.mp)
UK Parliament Week
This year UK Parliament Week (UKPW) is taking place from 6-12 November.
Sign up for your free kit and explore @UKParliament and how to get involved on the issues that matter to you.
UKPW is a great way to find out about UK Parliament and get a better understanding of the crucial work Parliament does.
#UKPW ukparliamentweek.org
MHRC Locations
Please see below the visits scheduled for the week commencing 21st August 2023 of the BCC Mobile Household Recycling Centre.
· Thu 24/08/2023, Signal Hayes Road B76 2RF, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Walmley & Minworth
· Fri 25/08/2023, Avery Road B73 6PX, 07:00 - 12:30 Sutton Vesey
Upcoming deadlines, NDSU External Funding Update from Birmingham City Council:
· Friday 25 August 2023 - Sport England Places and Spaces Crowdfunding Programme - Up to £10,000 in match funding to help community sport and physical activity groups create or improve facilities in their local area.
· Thursday 31st August 2023 at 12pm (midday) - Addressing housing issues in our communities: Building capacity and resilience within existing services across Birmingham - Up to £5,000 available for voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector organisations who have identified housing issues such as poor housing or homelessness in Erdington, Handsworth and Sparkhill areas of Birmingham.
· Thursday 31st August 2023 at 12pm (midday) - Didymus - Grants of up to £10,000 pa for a period of up to 3 years for UK registered charities and CIOs promoting social inclusion through the arts and education.
· Thursday 31st August 2023 at 5pm - Lloyds Bank Foundation - d/Deaf and Disabled people's organisations - This programme is for small and local charities with an income between £25,000 to £500,000 which are led by and working with d/Deaf and Disabled people who are experiencing poverty. Organisations can apply for a three year unrestricted grant of £75,000.
New NDSU webpage for funding and capacity building support for community groups and organisations
The NDSU Team have a new webpage on the BCC website which includes information about current funding opportunities and resources to help community groups and organisations in Birmingham access funding and capacity building support. Funding and capacity building support for community groups and organisations in Birmingham | Birmingham City Council