Education | The Lead

The journey of two refugee families in Blackpool

The decision to house refugees in Blackpool was contentious with local Conservative politicians - here two families from Hong Kong share their experiences and how some of that rhetoric made it more challenging to settle in

By Shikhar Talwar

Charities watchdog considering fresh evidence in Mark Butcher investigation

The Charity Commission continues to investigate complaints about a soup kitchen linked to Reform UK candidate Mark Butcher

By Kevin Gopal

Fears of far-right repeat in Blackpool only materialise a tragic roundabout

Any later excitement extended only to a small group of men and youths waving a St George's flag - upside down - from a roundabout

By Michael Holmes

Developer loses appeal for new Blackpool homes because project was too small

Planning inspector throws out appeal over concerns regarding how much it would contribute to local housing targets

By Shelagh Parkinson

The long wait for work to resume on the Sands Resort Hotel in Blackpool

It is nine years since plans were first put forward - and almost three years since any work has been done

By Shelagh Parkinson

The story of Blackpool's South Shore Romany Gypsies

The South Shore Romany Gypsies were central to the development of Blackpool as a tourist town, but as the town grew they were forced off the land they had occupied for generations. Is enough being done to recognise their contribution?

By Antonia Charlesworth Stack

Blackpool mum-of-three dealing with damp and mould facing eviction for raising issue

A mum-of-three was hit with a Section 21 eviction notice after informing her landlord of issues with her home - Shelagh Parkinson reports from the hustings event organised by The Blackpool Lead and Blackpool Gazette

Seven faces police want to identify after far-right disorder in Blackpool

Police said they are making every effort to identify those involved - but need help from the public

By Luke Beardsworth

Flat banned from Airbnb-style use due to being outside the holiday area

Cherry Property Investment Ltd had appealed after a retrospective planning application to use ground floor premises on Harrowside in South Shore was refused

By Shelagh Parkinson

'Ringleader' who attacked police and made vile racist and xenophobic rants jailed

Footage released by police shows John Robinson during his arrest as he played a 'key role' in the disorder on Saturday 3 August in Blackpool town centre

By Ed Walker

London's disappearing primary schools

Housing prices are pushing families out of London. Primary schools no longer have enough students to function and shut down. Secondary schools lose their local intake and follow suit. And local economies suffer. London is being hollowed out as a living city - at an ever-accelerating pace.

By Cherry Casey

All work and no play: How metrics fixation stunts Britain's school kids

Creativity, curiosity, self-esteem and social skills are essential for our well-being - but because they are not quantifiable, they are being left behind.

By Cherry Casey

Starmer's right on AI: Helping kids to be creative and empathetic does more than teaching them to code

We can't hope to compete with AI on speed and volume of technical tasks. But AI can never compete with us in the truly creative thinking - from music, to philosophy, to the kind of inspired science fiction that guides actual technological progress. As humans, this is our natural advantage, and it needs to be shored up.

By Chris Stokel-Walker

Ban Sex from Sex Ed!

I am Englishman, a Christian, a teacher, a patriot, an admiral of the fleet, a golfer, a hunter and a chartered accountant - and trust me: Rishi Sunak's inquiry into sex education doesn't go remotely far enough.

By M. Coates-Hanger, MP

Birbalsingh's Victorian fixations have no place in government - or in education

The ultra-disciplinarian headteacher stepped down from her Social Mobilities role, but will continue to fan the flames of culture wars in education. Pity the children.

By Andy West

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