02.03.23 – 4 teenagers arrested in Newcastle, 9 out of 10 first choice schools

Four teenage boys have been arrested after a number of buses and a car were damaged in Newcastle.
Police were called to Reliance Bus Works on Parkhouse Road East at 9.30 on the morning of Monday 9 January after windows were smashed on eight buses and names had been spray-painted onto them. Some of the buses are vintage models.
A silver BMW was also extensively damaged. The roof had been jumped on, a hosepipe was left running inside it and it had been spray-painted.
The boys, all from Newcastle, one aged 13 and three aged 14, were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. They were released under investigation pending further enquiries.

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Nine out of 10 parents have been allocated their first-choice secondary school in Staffordshire.

Of the 8,324 offers made for a Staffordshire secondary school at age 11, 92.5 per cent were for a first-choice school and nearly 97.8 per cent have been allocated one of their top three preferred schools.

Parents were given until the end of October to apply for a secondary school. Since the closing date, the council’s admissions team has been working with school and neighbouring authorities to ensure as many parents as possible receive a place at one of their preferred schools.

The National and regional average for a first choice school is just 83 per cent, around 10% lower than in Staffordshire.