Local News

There has been an angry reaction after Redcar WW1 sand sculptures were vandalised;

Eight Teesside primary schools are preparing to brush up their artistic talents after winning a £150,000 grant to enable their teachers to learn new skills whilst working alongside professional local artists;

...and a new venue for children in care has been launched in Redcar.

There has been an angry reaction after Redcar WW1 sand sculptures were vandalised.

Heads and faces were knocked off the six pieces built outside TunedIn! on the seafront at Redcar.

The town's branch of the Royal British Legion said it was a 'mindless act of vandalism' and residents said it showed a 'lack of respect'.

The sculptures, which are said to be too robust to break accidentally, were created as part of the Kick Off The Summer event in May to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1.

The damage has prompted a large response on the Zetland FM Facebook page.

Eight Teesside primary schools are preparing to brush up their artistic talents after winning a £150,000 grant to enable their teachers to learn new skills whilst working alongside professional local artists.

Tees Valley Education Trust’s Teaching School Alliance will lead the visual arts initiative following the grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation’s Teacher Development Fund.

The eight schools are part of the Tees Valley Creative Learning Partnership project, which will run for two years from September. 

Tees Valley Education academies Brambles, Pennyman and Dormanstown will be joined by Aspire Learning Partnership primary schools Wilton, Bankfields and Overfields, plus Sunnyside and Ash Tree Academy in an initiative designed to upskill teachers by working alongside and learning from talented local artists.

More than 2,500 children, aged between 3 and 11, across the eight schools are set to benefit from the partnership.

A new venue for children in care has been launched in Redcar.

The service, recently launched by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, provides dedicated ‘living room’ facilities so Looked after Children can spend more relaxed family time with their parents or extended family members.   

It's the first time that the service has had a dedicated centre, which is known as the “Beach House”, and is in a central location for children who still spend time with their parents, to meet privately.

Previously, family sessions took place in various locations across the borough which did not always have such positive facilities.

The Beach House has 12 private rooms and is designed with a communal kitchen and dining area so that parents can prepare and eat a meal with their children, alongside undertaking other family activities.