Content supplied by Kings Rise Academy (KRA) Editorial Team
(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 14.02.25)
Celebrating love and community at Kings Rise Academy / Image sourced from Adobe Stock
As January merges into the next month, February, the theme of love is floating in the air and every second that passes is one second closer to Valentine’s Day. We are very excited for the upcoming weeks as it will be filled with fun!
On 28 February, we will be celebrating Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The exact dates of Ramadan change every year. This is because Islam uses a calendar based on the cycles of the Moon.
Also, to celebrate St David’s Day, we will wear something yellow. On Valentine’s Day, we will be wearing pink and completing some love-themed activities.
Signs outside school gates at Kings Rise Academy / Image by Ed King
At KRA, we love embarking on trips, especially a whole school beach one coming up in a few months. Valentine’s Day is one of our favourite holidays because it is a golden opportunity to show affection or celebrate love with cards, flowers, and sweets!
We hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s, and many good things throughout February! Let’s hope February ends winter with a good note, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Best regards, KRA Editorial team
Ehichoya Jason Obor (Y6), Liyana Walters (Y6), Sienna Mills (Y6), Zaneta Onojah (Y6), Hiba Ahmed (Y5), Ryley Mortiboys (Y6)
(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 14.02.25)
Children at Marsh HIll Primary taking part in Times Tables Rock Stars / Image supplied by Marsh Hill Primary
Children at Marsh Hill Primary School have been storming the charts this term and improving their maths, competing in the nationwide Times Tables Rock Stars programme.
Pupils from Years 2-6 have all been taking part in the initiative that combines online learning platforms and rock star imagery to get young people excited about learning their times tables.
Believing in an effective ‘little and often’ approach to mathematics, the Times Tables Rock Star platform can be accessed through any internet connected device and uses colourful and fun incentives to encourage learning.
Adopted by thousands of schools across the UK, Times Tables Rock Stars is an award winning initiative that supports mathematics learning in children from 6 years and upwards.
Children at Marsh HIll Primary taking part in Times Tables Rock Stars / Image supplied by Marsh Hill Primary
Earlier in February, the children at Marsh Hill Primary put their times table skills to the test and competed in a series of online challenges against other schools across the country – coming to class dressed as a rock star for inspiration.
Breaking into the top ten of times tables, the young people at Marsh Hill came an astonishing seventh on the Total Scores Leaderboard from a total of 204 schools nationwide.
Marsh Hill Deputy Head Teacher, Mrs Leavey, told: “We’re so proud of our rock stars and how amazingly well they did in the national times table competition.
“They were really invested in the Times Tables Rock Star programme and it’s been a great way to support their mathematics, numeracy, and general learning.”
Marsh Hill Primary School is part of the Erdington Local BACK TO SCHOOL programme, working together to celebrate school life from staffroom to classroom.
If your school would like to know more about going BACK TO SCHOOL with Erdington Local please email: edking@erdingtonlocal.com
(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 14.02.25)
Students and staff at Queensbury Schoool celebrating Chinese Year New Year with Fenfen Huang (bottom row, centre) / Image supplied by Queensbury School
Queensbury School recently came alive with vibrant festivities to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Students and staff celebrated this special day to honour the Lunar New Year with traditional decorations and artist workshops.
A highlight of the event was a series of dance workshops led by Fenfen Huang, a renowned dance instructor specialising in traditional Chinese movement arts. Huhang’s workshops introduced participants to the elegance and symbolism of Chinese dance, blending graceful movements with rich cultural storytelling.
Students and staff took part in the workshops learning steps inspired by classical and folk dances. The workshops not only provided an opportunity to embrace Chinese heritage but also fostered spirit and appreciation for diverse traditions.
The celebrations concluded with a mesmerising dance showcase, where students and staff performed alongside Fenfen Huang.
Queensbury’s Chinese New Year event was a resounding success, leaving our students with a deeper connection to Chinese culture and a joyful start to the Lunar New Year.
(Ed’s note – this BACK TO SCHOOL article was first written for the Erdington Local printed edition and published on 14.02.25)
High Sheriff of the West Midlands Douglas Wright MBE DL with students from Wilson Stuart School / Image supplied by Wilson Stuart School
Wilson Stuart School was delighted to welcome the High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Douglas Wright MBE DL, for an insightful visit to explore the school’s commitment to inclusivity and tailored support for students with complex physical and medical needs.
During his visit, Mr Wright engaged with students and staff, gaining a deeper understanding of the personalised approaches that help each student thrive. He was particularly inspired by the enthusiasm and creativity of the students as they showcased their talents through a variety of projects.
The High Sheriff also took time to speak with the dedicated staff, learning about the challenges they face and the continuous efforts to enhance resources and opportunities for students.
Wilson Stuart Headteacher Simon Harris (left) with High Sheriff of the West Midlands, Douglas Wright MBE DL (right) / Image supplied by Wilson Stuart School
His visit highlighted the importance of collaboration between the school and the wider community to ensure the best possible outcomes for young people with additional needs.
Wilson Stuart School would like to express its gratitude to Douglas Wright for his time and interest in the school’s work. His visit was a valuable opportunity to celebrate the achievements of students and staff alike. We look forward to continuing to work closely with him in the future.
Barclays Digital Van offering support and advice to local residents / Pic supplied by Barclays UK
The Pioneer Group are excited to welcome the Barclays Digital Van to the Castle Vale community, bringing free digital support and advice to residents across the estate.
Especially these days, it is increasingly important for everyone to have access to digital tools, whether it’s for job searches, staying in touch with family, or learning new skills. That’s why The Pioneer Group are working with Barclays to bring this service right to the doorstep of people living on Castle Vale.
The Barclays Digital Van is coming to Castle Vale on Wednesday, 26 February, offering essential digital support and guidance.
Join the team at 2 Renfrew Square, Birmingham, B35 6JT, from 10am to 1pm – to access free internet, digital skills training, and expert advice on using technology to stay connected, find job opportunities, and access online services.
What’s on offer at the Barclays Digital Van:
Employment Support – Help with CV building, job applications, and interview preparation.
Healthcare Access – Guidance on using telehealth services to connect with doctors.
Social Inclusion – Support to help residents stay in touch with loved ones online.
Free Internet Access – High-speed WiFi to assist with job searches, education, and more.
Digital Skills Training – Learn computer basics and improve online safety.
Tech Support – Get help with devices and troubleshooting issues.
The Pioneer Group are committed to making sure local residents have the tools they need to feel confident online.
Whether you’re just starting out or need extra support, many across the Castle Vale community can benefit from this fantastic service.
Compass Support and The Pioneer Group are key partners in the Erdington Local COMMUNITY ANCHORS programme – supporting independent local and community journalism.
The Swan on Erdington High Street / Image supplied by Stonegate Group
The Swan pub recently raised over five thousand pounds to help support John Taylor Hospice in Erdington.
The popular local boozer organised a series of fundraising events to raise money for Birmingham Hospice, the charity which manages end of life and palliative care facilities in both Erdington and Selly Oak.
Events including hamper raffles, toy drives, clothes collections, and book sales, saw The Swan raise a total £5,140 from generous regulars and local residents.
Fundraising sign / Image supplied by the Stonegate Group
Throughout January, staff at The Swan also gave up alcohol in bid to raise even more funds for the hospice charity, with bar top collection buckets getting a steady stream of donations.
Staff at The Swan thank the generosity of the Erdington community, with many local residents and pub regulars having personal connections to John Taylor Hospice.
Pub operator Wayne Hinton told: “To see the community come together to support such an important charity was a heartwarming and prime example of what makes the Erdington community so brilliant.
“The hospice is very close to all of us in the area and I’d like to personally thank every single person who has been generous enough to give money to a fantastic cause.”
He added: “A huge thanks must also go to our own staff who have not been afraid to get stuck in, raising a huge £5,140, and we’re not going to stop there! We have plenty more fundraising efforts to come in the coming months so watch this space!”
The Swan, located at 65 Erdington High Street, is a longstanding and popular community pub, operated as part of the Stonegate owned Craft Union Pub Company.
Drinks on draught / Image supplied by the Stonegate Group
Recent fundraising efforts are part Craft Union’s ‘Make it a Million’ campaign, which started in 2024 and aimed to raise £1 million for local causes through its network of over 600 pubs across the year.
At the time of writing the national portfolio of pubs and licenced had raised approximately £972,660 during the twelve month campaign, with staff at Stonegate’s support team contributing a further £96,813.
Operation Fearless team on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
Operation Fearless officially launched on 7 January, bringing a specially recruited police taskforce to Erdington High Street to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in and around the Town Centre.
So far, the team behind Operation Fearless have made a raft of arrests from drug dealing and shoplifting and taken both offensive weapons and violent offenders off the streets – with those arrested sent to answer for their crimes in court.
A month after the official launch of the policing initiative, the officer leading the Operation Fearless team – Detective Superintendent Jim Munro – has a special update message for Erdington locals and residents.
Detective Superintendent Jim Munro on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
“It’s hard to believe it’s already been a month since we launched Operation Fearless in Erdington. I’m really pleased to say we’re already seeing some real improvements on the High Street and in the surrounding area.
“You’ve probably noticed the increased police presence – more officers patrolling and we’ve been making more arrests too.
“A huge part of this success is down to some fantastic partnership work. My team has been working closely with the Council, immigration services, HMRC, and Transport for West Midlands. It really shows how much we can achieve when we all pull together.
“The support and feedback from local residents has been fantastic. We know people haven’t been feeling safe on the High Street, and some have even told us they’ve been avoiding the area altogether because of drug dealing and anti-social behaviour. We’ve also been talking to local businesses who have been hit hard by shoplifting – it’s been a real struggle for them.
“Since we boosted the police presence on the High Street, the difference has been noticeable. The community and business owners have told us they feel much safer. There are fewer suspicious characters hanging around, and the increased police presence has been really reassuring. Businesses are also reporting a decrease in shoplifting, and some of the most prolific offenders seem to have disappeared – which is excellent news.
Operation Fearless officers patrolling Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by West Midlands Police
“We’ve had some great results this past month. We’ve made over 36 arrests, with 16 charged and remanded, including some persistent shoplifters and people in possession of knives. We also carried out 60 stop searches, with 15 positive outcomes – that’s a 25% positive outcome rate. On top of that, we’ve executed eight warrants, recovering drugs and dangerous weapons from our streets.
“I know you, Erdington Local readers, and the wider community, will be pleased to hear about these results. I want to reassure everyone that we’re not taking our foot off the gas. We’re committed to tackling the criminals who pose a danger to our communities. I’ll be providing regular updates like this, so you can keep track of our progress.
And finally, if you see our officers out and about, please stop and have a chat. We’re always keen to hear your feedback and work with you to make the community even safer.”
Official launch of Operation Fearless at Villa Park and on Erdington High Street 07.01.25
(l-r) Paulette Hamilton MP with Andrew Goodacre of the British Independent Retailers Association on Erdington High Street / Pic supplied by Paulette Hamilton MP
It’s always a pleasure to update you on the work I’m doing to make Erdington, Kingstanding, Castle Vale, and South Oscott even better places to live, work, and raise a family.
This month, I’ve been focused on standing up for our neighbourhoods. I have written to local residents about the proposed five-bed HMO on Mason Road, which could bring significant challenges to our community.
I will be objecting to the application in the strongest terms and urging the council to reject it. If you haven’t already, please sign my petition to put a stop to this.
I also joined Simon Foster, our Police and Crime Commissioner, on Erdington High Street to hear about the impact of Operation Fearless. This initiative has already led to major arrests and the seizure of drugs and weapons, making our high street safer.
Our community deserves to feel secure, and I’ll continue pushing for the resources needed to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
Supporting local businesses is also a priority. That’s why I recently met with Andrew Goodacre of the British Independent Retailers Association and walked along the High Street to discuss efforts to revitalise our town centre.
Our independent businesses are the backbone of our community, and I’ll keep working to ensure they thrive.
On a brighter note, I was delighted to join Marsh Hill Primary School in Stockland Green for the opening of their new security gates. It’s fantastic to see investment in school safety, ensuring children can learn and grow in a secure environment.
Reform UK Parliamentary candiate Jack Brookes on the campaign trail during the 2022 by-election for Birmingham Erdington / Pic supplied by Reform UK
Reform is pulling ahead, no deals with the traitor Tories! Never make a deal with a traitor.
Labour… giving illegals a pathway to citizenship, so they can vote for you? And the uniparty cancelling elections? Stop rigging the game; we have the ballot box for a reason. “No taxation without representation!” It’s time to tax strike!
The American Revolution was born out of this sentiment: a government for the people, by the people – origins… Magna Carta. We must follow suit!
“Foreign aid is taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries.” – Ron Paul
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the USA has shown that taxpayer money funds the establishment and terrorism. It’s time to cut the government and the central bank out of our lives.
I have stated many times that the governments all over the world are deliberately trying to destroy us and now the proof is there with the USA with what DOGE has highlighted.
Lastly… knife crime. When the government replaces the family and you have Communists infiltrate institutions, the results will always be a deliberate increase in crime. All an angry kid needs is a bit of hope and be shown a better way. “Put down the knife and put on the gloves.”
Sport is the key – every great athlete knows this. Look at Tyson Fury and AJ, both credit boxing with saving their lives in one form or another.
Words by Erdington Ward Cllr Robert Alden – Leader of Birmingham Conservatives
(l-r) Cllr Robert Alden and Cllr Gareth Moore on a community litter pick in Rookery Park (lr) / Pic supplied by Cllr Alden
This month Cllr Gareth Moore and I, amongst many issues, have been working with residents to tackle issues caused by two new exempt accommodation units.
In this month’s Council debate we also renewed our calls for a change in law to make exempt accommodation units require planning permission and so prevent the continued conversion of family houses, blighting our area and the city.
I have been opposing a planning application for a new HMO on Mason Road, both collecting a petition against the application and updating residents with details of how to object.
At the end of January, we joined the Friends of Rookery Park and Envisage for their community litter pick in Rookery Park. It was great to see so many volunteers out helping, having ‘Pride in Erdington’.
The Labour run Council have announced their plans to hit residents with another double whammy of higher taxes for fewer services in their new budget.
Council Tax is rising another 7.5%, another £134 a month on average, meaning its increased by 73% since Labour took control of the Council in 2012, an average increase of £814 for a band D property.
The City Council are also axing another £1.8m from street cleaning, likely meaning more rubbish on the streets. Matters have been made worse by the Labour Council’s plans to introduce fortnightly bin collections, a ‘rat tax’ for pest removal services and Labour’s ongoing bin strike.
Gareth and I continue to call on the Council to fix the service and keep our bin collections weekly.
