If you yourself are a teacher or happen to know one, you’ll know that the world of education isn’t always packed with perks: you often take your work home with you, weekends become made for marking and working with kids can be simply knackering – surely some discounts are the least they deserve.
Well, what if we told you that a little-known hack for teachers to get tonnes of pretty decent discounts is sitting right underneath the noses of countless British teachers?
And when we say ‘decent’, we’re talking as much as half-price off when purchasing from certain companies here in the UK.
We’re sure most if not all of you will have heard of a ‘Blue Light’ card, the membership that allows NHS, emergency services, armed forces, those in social care and other vital service professions to access savings on more than 15,000 brands, but it seems that this now includes teachers.
This is not a drill 🚨 I’ve just discovered that teachers and school staff can access a blue light card giving them access to thousands of different discounts! pic.twitter.com/HoNisQ4cZo
As revealed in a viral video by Manchester-based primary school teacher, author and online content creator ‘Mr P’ – real name Lee Parkinson – it turns out that many of those working in education also now qualify for a Blue Light card.
ADVERTISEMENT
Explaining the simple but somewhat secret process in his now-viral video, teachers throughout the education system and, indeed, teaching assistants can apply for a Blue Light card online and find their professions at the bottom of a lengthy drop-down list.
Many companies offered their own discount services to teachers during Covid and post-pandemic after they were rightly recognised as crucial key workers – as if we even needed a pandemic to make that abundantly clear – and now Blue Light is set to cover those in education moving forward too.
ADVERTISEMENT
As a result of this massive revelation, floods of people almost crashed the website, creating a lengthy online queue that gave us an expected waiting time of over three hours at its highest point.
There’s still a massive digital waiting room as we speak. Writing in a statement following the influx of interest, a spokesperson for Blue Light Card said: “What an incredible response we’ve had to welcoming teachers into our community!
“Teachers are not just educators, but also mentors, guides and inspirations that provide essential services to society – often going above and beyond the call of duty, as we saw during the pandemic. The excitement and appetite to join our community today only goes to show how deserving of recognition and reward our teachers are.
ADVERTISEMENT
This was as of approximately 2:30pm on Thursday, 8 August, after hours of people stumbling onto the shopping life hack.Blue Light cards are available in physical and digital form.Credit: Screenshot (via bluelightcard.co.uk)/The Manc Group
“Such is the demand we’ve seen today, we’re experiencing some issues with our website and app and our team is working hard to fix it as quickly as possible. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this is causing our members and we’ll provide an update as soon as we can. In the interim, you can register your interest at https://teachers.bluelightcard.co.uk.”
After creating a number of helpful videos like this and hosting the popular Two Mr Ps in a Pod(Cast), ‘Mr P ICT’, to use his go-to moniker on social media, the multi-talented teacher has grown a huge following over the past few years and we dare say even more so since disclosing these discounts.
Now in his mid-30s and based in Urmston, Trafford, Parkinson currently works part-time at Davyhulme Primary School and has more than 15 years of experience in the education sector.
Having specialised in ICT (as the name would suggest) and integrating tech into modern teaching, as well as holding an Academic Development and Enhancement qualification, the guy knows what he’s talking about and boasts hundreds of thousands of followers.
We’re sure all teachers would join us in thanking Mr P for spreading such helpful information and hopefully saving people lots of money moving forward. That being said, if you are an educator, don’t waste any more time reading this – go get yourself some well-earned discounts!
Man who stabbed beloved gran to death sentenced to hospital order
Daisy Jackson
The man who stabbed Michelle Hodgkinson to death in broad daylight in Tameside has been sentenced to a hospital order.
Paul Hughes, 30, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court today after his arrest on 3 June 2023 on suspicion of murder.
He was deemed too mentally unwell to stand trial – at the time of Michelle’s murder he was suffering from a schizophrenic attack at the time of the incident and still is suffering from Schizophrenia.
On 2 June 2023, Hughes brought a four-pack of kitchen knives, boarded a tram to Droylsden and headed to a canal path, where he appeared to be ‘lying in wait’ for someone to walk past him.
Tragically, that person was Michelle Hodgkinson, who walked past on her way to meet her mother.
She was followed, attacked from behind and stabbed multiple times.
The attack was captured on dashcam footage and several witnesses came forward to police with statements.
The court heart this week that despite being unwell, Hughes carefully planned the attack.
Hughes bought a pack of kitchen knives and waited down a canal path before he stabbed a stranger, a 51-year-old woman, on 2 June 2023.
Michelle died at the scene on Edge Lane despite the best efforts of passers-by who tried to give her first aid, and the emergency services.
Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.
“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.
“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.
In a previous tribute to Michelle Hodgkinson, her family have said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.
“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.
“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that – walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.
“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.
“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!
10 ‘high-risk’ Manchester football fans arrested following recent violent disorder
Emily Sergeant
Several arrests have been made this week following an incident of violent disorder linked to a football match a few months back.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) Specialist Operations branch were joined by colleagues from across the force – including those in Challenger teams – as they conducted several arrests around Greater Manchester this past Wednesday (13 December) in relation to violent disorder that recently took place.
The violent disorder in question occurred the day before Manchester United and faced FC Twente in the Champions League back in September.
Prior to the match, police say it is believed that a targeted and organised large-scale fight took place in the Lower Broughton area of Salford, all before the group of supporters then headed towards Manchester city centre.
As a result, 10 supporters – who are men aged between 20 and 64, and police say are suspected to be “high-risk” – are now in custody for questioning as investigations continue.
#ARREST | Earlier today we arrested 10 suspects in relation to violence that occurred the day before a game involving Manchester United and FC Twente.
Violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, will not be tolerated.
On top of this, when officers entered two properties on their search mission, two separate cannabis farms were found, and this meant that a 36-year-old woman was also subsequently arrested on suspicion of cultivation.
With the Manchester Derby now only days away, GMP says these arrests are a reminder that violence of any sort, whether it’s linked to football or not, “will not be tolerated” in our region.
Speaking ahead of the massive Premier League clash this weekend, Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, from GMP’s Specialist Operations division, commented: “With another big fixture coming this weekend, we want to send a strong message and reassurance that our specialised officers will be deployed to ensure you remain safe and peace is maintained, so you can enjoy the game.
Danny Jones -
8th August 2024 
