A former executive headteacher of a Manchester primary school has been struck off after “excessively assisting” pupils with their SATS.
The Manchester Evening News reports that Michael Beresford was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct after admitting to helping students at Oasis Academy Temple (formerly the Temple Primary School) in Cheetham Hill with their SATS in May 2018.
Some pupils were told how to answer questions and to correct wrong answers, while others taking a reading test were allowed to read the passages from the papers before the exam had started.
Mr Beresford told a professional conduct panel earlier this month that while he had no specific memory of the incidents, he recalled “coming away from desks blushing as if I knew I had done something wrong”.
It was ruled that his actions showed “disregard for the significant potential risk to the pupils’ academic future” and caused “damage to the school” in terms of its reputation.
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Despite support from parents and former colleagues – who described him as a “role model” – Mr Beresford was banned from teaching indefinitely.
A teacher has been banned after being found guilty of aiding pupils with their SATS work / Credit: Google Maps
Allegations initially arose following conversations between pupils and staff at the school, and Manchester City Council was asked to investigate the claims and pass its findings on to the Standards and Testing Agency (STA).
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A total of eight allegations were made against Mr Beresford, and all but one were upheld by the panel.
In a statement, the panel said: “The academic achievements of pupils are at the heart of the teaching profession [and] Mr Beresford completely undermined these fundamental principles.
“The panel recognised the level of responsibility that came with his position as executive principal and Mr Beresford’s role in improving standards in the school, rather than undermining them, [so] accordingly, the panel made a recommendation to the Secretary of State that a prohibition order should be imposed with immediate effect.”
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Mr Beresford could apply for the prohibition order to be set aside – but not until 2023.
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Simon Rimmer shuts final Greater Manchester branch of beloved Greens restaurant
Daisy Jackson
Simon Rimmer’s much-loved Greens restaurant is no more, as the final branch announces its immediate closure.
The vegetarian restaurant launched in Didsbury way back in 1990, but confirmed its shock closure at the start of its year.
The newer Greens restaurant in Sale had remained open for business – until today.
In a statement share online, the restaurant said the business has become ‘untenable’.
The statement, which was shared with a simple broken heart emoji, added that the team have ‘done everything possible’ to stay afloat.
Greens hasn’t shared as much detail about its Sale closure.
Simon Rimmer’s Greens restaurant in Sale has announced its immediate closure. Credit: The Manc Group
They wrote: “It is with deep regret that the board of directors and shareholders have decided to close the doors permanently on Greens Sale with immediate effect.
“We’ve done everything possible to make this work, but it is now clear the business is untenable.
“We’d like to thank everyone, team members & guests, who have been on the Greens journey with us.”
It’s another blow to the Manchester’s famous vegan and vegetarian restaurant scene, which has lost the likes of Wholesome Junkies, Vurger Co, and V Rev all shutting down in the last couple of years.
Wholesome Junkies shut down because of ‘skyrocketing costs’, writing at the time of their closure in July: “The figures just don’t add up, it’s no joke and it’s devastating the hospitality industry.”
Northern blocks access to dating apps and websites on-board trains
Emily Sergeant
Access to dating apps and websites is now blocked on-board trains travelling across the north, it has been revealed.
Northern says there’s “good reason” for taking this decision.
This is because the WiFi provided by the train operator on-board its services travelling across the north of England is delivered under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme, which blocks access to certain categories of content – including those associated with dating.
Websites and apps related to video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity are also blocked.
Northern has blocked access to dating apps and websites on-board its trains / Credit: Northern
The company says ‘Friendly WiFi’ – which it has been signed up to since 2017 – ensures its on-board internet service meets “minimum filtering standards” given the fact that children could be present around passengers at all times.
The decision to ban dating apps and websites comes after Northern also urged passengers to stop viewing content that’s “not suitable for work” on its trains and stations in Greater Manchester and beyond, and pleaded for them to “wait until you get home” instead.
Content that Northern considers ‘NSFW’ can range from inappropriate jokes and bad language, right through to offensive topics and explicit material.
The train operator has explained the “good reason” for its decision / Credit: Northern
Northern’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Rice, said access to “safe and reliable” internet is part of passengers’ expectations.
“Whilst some dating websites and users will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear, particularly children, isn’t viewed on our trains,” Mr Rice explained.
“It’s simply about ensuring that there is sufficient bandwidth for all our customers to use while they’re on the go.
The Manc -
29th July 2021 
