UP FRONT
Ofsted
paints
‘good’
picture
Ofsted has rated the council’s children’s services in the top 10% of
authorities in England under its tougher new inspection regime.
Inspectors gave the service an overall rating of ‘good’ but services for
young people leaving care were rated as ‘outstanding.’ An impressive
20% of young care leavers in Ealing go on to university, compared to a
national figure of just 6%; and the Horizons education and achievement
centre for children and young people in care, or who have recently left
care, was found to be ‘outstanding.’
Councillor Binda Rai, cabinet member for children and families, said:
“I have seen for myself the wonderful professionalism of our staff to
inspire and prepare young people for leaving care. This has had a
hugely positive impact on their lives and it’s great that the inspectors
have endorsed this. However, like our staff, I, too, recognise that there
is always room for improvement and we are already looking at how we
take on board the inspectors’ recommendations.”
Recommendations for improvement included increasing the number of
foster carers and raising public awareness of private fostering.
The results and full, detailed report of the inspection can be viewed on
Ofsted’s website.
Air quality
Ealing Council has been awarded ‘Cleaner Air Borough’ (CAB)
accreditation by the Mayor of London for its work to monitor
and reduce pollution in the borough.
CAB status is reviewed each year and only given to boroughs
that can prove they are tackling the issue effectively. Much
of the borough’s pollution comes from factors such as its
proximity to major roads. Therefore, CAB recognises many
issues are outside of the council’s influence, and CAB it is not a
measure of overall air quality.
For more, or to report air pollution, go to
www.ealing.gov.uk/airquality
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Park rangers at Tentelow Meadow
got help keeping the grass in check
with a herd of 45 Charolais cows on
loan from Osterley Park Farm. Grazing
cattle is an age-old method of improving
wildflower meadows. Tentelow Wood
and Meadow is between Tentelow Lane,
Norwood Green and Southall, and is an
ancient bluebell woodland with nesting
wildlife. See pictures of the cows at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/gallery.
2
A ‘mini-Holland’ project, part of a
major three-year programme to
improve cycling and road safety
in Ealing got under way in October. As
part of the first phase of work, the council
is making improvements in The Mall/
Uxbridge Road, between Carmelita House
and North Common Road. It is due to finish
by spring 2017. The scheme will eventually
feature a number of changes to the main
road routes in to and out of Ealing’s town
centre, with the aim of improving road
safety for all users, in particular pedestrians
and cyclists. These include: Resurfacing
stretches of the main road; improved,
segregated cycling routes; new paving for
footpaths; improved road crossings for
pedestrians and cyclists; and better signs.
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4
A rugby competition saw
numerous local schools and 400
pupils take part. See the full story at
ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features
Are you worried about your child’s
weight? This January the One You
Ealing child weight management
team will be running fun, free healthy
lifestyle programmes for children aged
five–13 and their parents/carers. For more
information or to book a place call 020
8354 8032. See ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
features for more.
speedread
around ealing
Winter 2016/17
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