National recognition for Dorset Council’s work to tackle climate change
Dorset Council has been announced as a finalist for Best Climate Action or Decarbonisation Initiative in this year’s Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards.
Services for care leavers in Dorset have been significantly strengthened says Ofsted
Dorset Council has significantly strengthened the support and services available for young people who have spent time in care, a recent visit from Ofsted (the office for standards in education) has found.
First ‘Local Offer Live’ hailed a success
Dorset Council, in partnership with NHS Dorset and Dorset Parent Carer Council, has delivered its first ever Local Offer Live. A fortnight of events for parents, caregivers and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.
Scheme helping vulnerable and disadvantaged families in Dorset marks its 10th year
Practitioners, service providers and partners came together this month to celebrate 10 years of Dorset Families Matter, a government funded support scheme which helps the county’s most vulnerable families.
Dorset professionals hear children’s thoughts on ‘Belonging’
Two days of conferences, both with the theme of ‘Belonging’, were held at Durlston Country Park recently for those working in education, health, the emergency services and the community and voluntary sector to look at how they could improve the lives of young people in Dorset through the work they do.
Autism in Schools pilot launched
Autistic children and young people in Dorset will have a better educational experience following the recent launch of the Autism in Schools Project which will improve the approach of the whole school, both students and teaching staff, to understanding autism.
Award-winning children’s author visits Portland to encourage library membership
Last Friday (16 June), Waterstones Children’s Laureate (2022-2024) Joseph Coelho, visited Dorset Council’s Tophill library on Portland, as part of his nationwide ‘Library Marathon’ tour.
Mon 31 Oct is the deadline for Dorset Council secondary or upper school applications
Is your child due to start Secondary or Upper school in September 2023? Parents/carers will need to apply by Mon 31 October 2022 for the best chance of getting a place at their preferred school. This applies to all children moving from primary to secondary school, or middle to upper school in September 2023. Finding… Read more Mon 31 Oct is the deadline for Dorset Council secondary or upper school applications
Festival to show Dorset is a place to do digital business
Dorset’s future as a place to do digital business will be showcased when local companies and industry leaders come to the Festival of the Future. They will be speaking at the at the Dorset Innovation Park in Winfrith on Wednesday 12 October, when the festival highlights the career opportunities in the digital sector. The event… Read more Festival to show Dorset is a place to do digital business
Families in Ferndown to find out about their digital futures
Families in Ferndown will discover how digital can benefit their lives at a special event being hosted by Dorset Council next month. The Festival of the Future will be coming to The Centre in Tricketts Cross on 11 October, when the focus will be on the family. Volunteer digital champions will be on hand to… Read more Families in Ferndown to find out about their digital futures
Breaking the code to a successful digital future
Thousands of Dorset school children have taken part in the county’s first ever Coding Day. Organised by Dorset Council, BCP Council and Barclays Digital Eagles, Dorset Coding Day brought together 43 schools across the county, from Christchurch to Beaminster and from the north in Gillingham to the coast of Portland. In addition, 25 local tech… Read more Breaking the code to a successful digital future
Cabinet to consider changes in timescales for Local Plan
Dorset Council’s Cabinet will consider a report next week that sets out a revised timeline to produce the new Dorset Council Local Plan.
Festival to showcase Dorset’s innovation and digital future
A five-day festival will be staged at locations across Dorset next month to showcase the county’s exciting digital future. Dorset Council’s Festival of the Future is back for the third year running and it will be a hybrid event where people can attend in person or take part virtually. Held from 10-14 October, #FutureFest22 will… Read more Festival to showcase Dorset’s innovation and digital future
Students thanked for their hard work
Dorset’s young people are being thanked for their hard work and resilience following this year’s exams, and provided with ways to find out about their next options.
Dorset Council Local Plan – Cabinet update
Earlier this year, the Leader of Council, Cllr Spencer Flower, set out his commitment to develop a new Dorset Council Local Plan that meets the needs and aspirations of the people of Dorset.
Free swimming for children and young people this summer holiday
After securing additional funding, Dorset Council residents under the age of 16 can access free swimming from 25th July to the 4th of September in some of the leisure centres across the county. Cllr Andrew Parry, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help said: ‘We are delighted to have the opportunity to provide… Read more Free swimming for children and young people this summer holiday
Dorset’s first dedicated coding day for school children to be held this autumn
Dorset’s first-ever live and interactive coding day for children will be held this September and schools across the county are being urged to take part. Held on 15 September during National Coding Week, the Dorset Coding Day is for children in years 5, 6 and 7 and aims to inspire future Bill Gateses and Ada… Read more Dorset’s first dedicated coding day for school children to be held this autumn
Changes made to education provision following Ombudsman investigation
Dorset Council has made changes to the way it provides alternative education for children who are unable to go to school.
Most Dorset youngsters offered first preference of school
Parents and carers in the Dorset Council area will find out today (19 April) which reception, junior or middle school their children will be joining in September 2022.
Worried about your child’s educational progress? Get in touch for support
In October last year we launched the Dorset Education Advice Line – an advice line for parents and carers who are worried their child might not be making the progress they should be, or who may believe their child might have emerging special educational needs.
Dorset Council invests over £100,000 in community and culture projects
The second round of Dorset Council’s community and culture project awarded £66,094 to 18 local arts and sports organisations in March 2022.
Dorset pupils to hear from famous authors this World Book Day
World Book Day (Thursday 3 March 2022) gives our schools the opportunity to celebrate reading and build on plans to instil a true love of reading into all Dorset’s children.
Majority of Dorset students get their first choice of secondary or upper school
On Tuesday 1 March, young people across Dorset found out which school they will be joining this September.
Changes to alternative provision in Dorset
Dorset Council and Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council are working together to change how we provide alternative provision for children and young people who need it. These council’s will be setting up new contracts with providers of alternative provision from September 2022 and are seeking feedback from parents, carers and young people to decide what the requirements… Read more Changes to alternative provision in Dorset
Housing need figures for Dorset reviewed
Independent consultants have carried out an assessment of the housing needs of specific groups such as the elderly, those with disabilities and those who cannot afford market housing. During this work, the consultants also considered whether there are grounds to plan for alternative housing need figures in the Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)… Read more Housing need figures for Dorset reviewed
The deadline for school applications is fast approaching
Parents and carers whose children will be starting primary, infant, junior or middle school for the first time this September, have just a few days left to apply for a place at their chosen school.
Financial support for Dorset residents in need this winter
Residents in need, including vulnerable families, will receive help with the cost of food and heating and other essentials this winter.
New bike storage supports more people to cycle to school
Pupils and teachers at schools across Dorset are enjoying space for 260 more cycles following the installation of brand new cycle storage facilities.
Garden community proposal – Council appoints consultants to consider future plans for growth
Work continues on the policies that underpin the Dorset Council Local Plan to ensure that it provides Dorset residents with the accommodation, employment and facilities that they will need over the next 17 years. This includes the need to provide housing for people who cannot afford to buy or rent from the housing market.
The second round of the Community and Culture Project Fund has launched
The Dorset Council managed fund helps ‘not for profit’ community groups or cultural groups that are looking for funds. These groups can be museums, community, sports or arts organisations. The fund can award up to £5,000 towards a project.
