08/10/2013 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and me, Dominic Heale.

Tonight — the Government threatens to shut down the Al Madinah Free

School in Derby — for good. Minister accuses the school of delivering a

poorer standard of education and of discriminating against women and

girls also tonight, sales at a seven—year high, or are these the

first signs of a new property boom? The rare medical condition which

causes excruciating pain in the sufferer's face. Trigeminal

Neuralgia, you would not wish it on anyone. It is like having your tooth

drilled without an anaesthetic. Leicester cuts, how familiar

landmarks left in Prince on local artist. —— imprints. The government

is threatening to withdraw its funding for a controversial free

school — unless it takes "swift action" to address major concerns

over how it's run. Officials say the Al—Madinah school in Derby has

failed to ensure the safety of its pupils, has delivered an

unacceptably poor standard of education and discriminated against

female members of staff. Our reporter Simon Hare is at one of the

school's two sites in the city. Simon, the Government appears to be

taking a hard line? Yes, a very hard line after a month of

investigations, inspections and intense media scrutiny. Today the

Education Minister wrote this very strongly worded letter to the school

telling them that unless they make major changes to the way the school

is run, they will lose funding. It is fair to say that having spoken to

parents tonight, many remain broadly supportive of what is happening

here. Parents of schools at Al Madinah Free School arrived to

collect their children this afternoon. Most had already heard

that the government was threatening to withdraw funding. There is no

problem with the school. I think it is the job of the teachers to sort

everything out. Parents should back the teachers and give their support.

The government should not withdraw funding. We need schools like this

in society and in the community. Are you happy with the school? It is

OK. Parents were given a letter from the school in response to the

criticism from the government. The Education Minister accused the trust

which runs the school of breaching the conditions of its funding

agreement by failing to ensure the safety of children at the school.

That relates to the lack of paperwork to prove background checks

have been carried out on staff, delivering an unacceptably poor

standard of education. We revealed that the regulator accused the skill

of being inadequate. It was discovered in 18 in its policies

towards female staff. It failed to discharge its duties and

responsibilities in respect of the governing body. The government said

there have been significant failings in the financial management of the

school. It now has to comply with a list of demands from the government

by the end of this month. In the letter to the chair of governors,

the minister warned unless swift action is taken to address these

concerns, I will become hailed to terminate the funding agreement.

Tonight the acting principal gave this reaction. We had a team of

inspectors in earlier this month and they will be publishing a report

which will be published nationally with their objective views. I look

forward to when you receive that report, because this is their

professional objective judgement for the school. There are things we have

to address. Their view is objective. Well, in that letter to parents, the

school says that to say the criticisms have come out of the blue

would be an understatement. They say that the school is struggling to see

how it is being treated in comparison to other free schools.

While it intends to cooperate with the Department for Education on

these improvements, it is also going to be seeking the advice of its

solicitors. Thank you. Next tonight — If you're looking to a buy a house

or sell your home, things could be looking up. A survey by the Royal

Instiution of Chartered Surveyors says house sales here in the East

Midlands have hit a seven year high and the recovery is gathering pace.

The news came as the Prime Minister used a visit to this region to

launch the Government's Help to Buy scheme. Jo Healey reports. This

woman did not think she would be packing up and moving on until the

spring, but as soon as it went on the market, her home was stabbed up.

The estate agent came round on the Tuesday, took photographs on the

Wednesday, the sign went up on Saturday. We had three viewings on

the Sunday and had the asking price on them Monday. It went through

quickly. We were pleased. All the estate agents I spoke to said there

has been a surge in sales. More crucially, there is an increased

confidence in the market. We have got plenty of properties coming into

the market. We have also got plenty of sales being agreed. The

government's new Help To Buy is helping the market. We are hoping to

move to a three bedroom house. We have not been able to get the

deposit together until now. Now this couple have sold, they are heading

off to live in Turkey. They're quick sale means they are sailing into the

sunset much sooner than they thought. Well, Jo mentioned the

Government's new Help to Buy scheme in her report. It was officially

launched by the Prime Minister this lunchtime — here in the East

Midlands. Our Political Editor John Hess joins us in the studio. John,

is it significant that the Prime Minister should chose our region to

announce the scheme? The East Midlands is a region that's seen

some of the biggest housing Midlands is a region that's seen

pressures in recent years. Those new figures from the Royal Instiution of

Chartered Surveyors are based on findings from its 12,000 members in

the East Midlands Half of them report sales are up: That's the

highest level in seven years. But are there enough homes to meet the

demand. According to East Midlands Councils, seven and a half thousand

new homes were completed last year — that's half the total of ten years

ago. And the National Housing Federation says it expects house

prices for first—time buyers in our region to increase by 36% over the

next SEVEN years. More For Sale signs are a sure of a recovering

housing market. Certainly the Prime Minister believes the housing market

and other changes now in place should make more homes available in

the East Midlands. But it's wrong to think that the scheme is helping on

the demand side. It is helping with the supply for the reason that the

builders will not build unless the buyers are able to buy. This is

helping to unlock the housing market which is part of a good and balanced

recovery. But are there concerns of another house price bubble in the

East Midlands? The Prime Minister says this will" unlock the housing

market" .It's a basic law of economics: if there's a shortage,

the price goes up. That's why the National Housing Federation is

warning an East Midlands spike in property prices for first time

buyers, the very group the Prime Minister wants to help. Thank you.

Still to come — top flight speedway in Leicester. After the sport

collapsed in the city in the 80s, it seems the Leicester Lions are on the

verge of joining the Elite League. And we are speeding our way into

winter, we have a temperature roller coasters on the way. Join me later

in the programme. —— roller coasters. The Old Bailey's heard

that a teenage terror suspect was arrested after threatening two

schoolboys with a knife in Loughborough. The seventeen year

old's accused of preparing weapons and plans for a Columbine High

School—style attack. For the latest — let's cross to Loughborough — and

our Social Affairs Correspondent, Jeremy Ball. This is Granby Street

in Loughborough, not the kind of straight you would expect a

terrorism investigation to begin, but this is worth the 17—year—old

was arrested in February after a row with two schoolboys. The details

emerged in court where he was in the court with an interim media victory

and cannot be identified. This afternoon witness described how he

and his friend were confronted here. He said the teenager was wearing

military style clothing and he told them to stop messing around with a

drinks can and when they got to this corner, his friend shouted knife!

The teenager moved towards them pointing a jagged blade. That is

what led to the arrest and police searched his home. The prosecution

say more weapons were found and a list of potential targets. These

included a local mosque and the local council along with this cinema

and two of the teenager's schools. Today the court heard from a former

student who talked about a pattern where the teenager used to get

taunted and then use to respond with death threats. The jury heard from

one of his former teachers who described him menacingly turning to

a bag after she reprimanded him. The bag contained two knives and what

looked like a gun. The teenager on trial has admitted possessing petrol

bombs and pipe bombs but he has denied that they were for an act of

terrorism. Fire crews from all over South Derbyshire have been at a

warehouse fire this afternoon The fire service got numerous calls

around 3.40pm that this Victorian Warehouse on Northern Road in Derby

was ablaze. Fire officers from the three Derby stations, as well as

Long Eaton, Belper and Duffield turned out — along with a high rise

appliance. Initially it was thought people might be trapped inside, but

it now appears the building is empty. Damage, though, has been

extensive. People who have it describe it as one of the worst

pains on earth. Now a woman from Leicestershire who says she has

suffered from it for years is hoping to make a world of difference. She

has set up a global online support group for Trigeminal Neuralgia. As

our health correspondent reports, this severe facial nerve pain can

last from just a few seconds to up to two excruciating minutes. It

feels like my face has got tight. Nicholas Smith says she experiences

pain in her face many times a day. —— Nikki Samuel. It covers all the

nerds across my face. It makes my face feel like it is burning ——

nerves. Trigeminal Neuralgia is not one of the worst pains known to man.

It is a bit like having your tooth drilled without an anaesthetic. In

most cases the pain is caused from pressure on an artery. Tumours can

affected and surgery only cure is some cases. Some people commit

suicide if they do not get adequate treatment. Sudden changes in

temperature make it worse and it can be hard to play outdoors. I watch

Harry through the glass and that is not how it was meant to be.

Sorry... Just then I had a shock across my face. It makes us very

sad. The condition is hard for her partner. She has got no control over

it. It can hit her at any time. She has helped to organise the first

international awareness Day, eliminating landmarks around the

globe, a publicity stunt to shed light on condition that affects one

in 20,000 people in the UK. An inquest jury's witnessed an

emotional exchange between the sister of a man found fatally

stabbed three years ago and the psychologist who'd been in charge of

his mental health care. It happened at the inquest into the deaths of a

man, his former partner, and their young son in Derbyshire in 2010.

James Roberson reports. It was at this cottage in 2010 that three

bodies were found. Those of Rachel Slack and her son Aidan and his

father Andrew Cairns. The year before, the couple had split up and

Andrew Kerins lived alone here. Throughout 2009 and early 2010, his

mental health deteriorated. He was supposed to see his care

coordinator, but he began to miss appointments. In March, 2010, in

desperation, he insisted that this woman went with Rachel Slack to see

him along with his doctor. However he refused to admit any of them. The

doctor told the jury we had no powers to enter the property or take

things further. The coroner said that the woman left you a number of

messages the following day which you made no response. The doctor then

said to her personally, that was not acceptable and I apologise to you

for any distress that I may have caused you. She said it would not

do. The inquest also heard that Andrew's sister could only be

directly involved in his care with his permission and he was against

that. Additionally, the doctor was asked if knowing him

professionally, the deaths that happened later could have been

foreseen. He said no, he was not violent, it could not have been

foreseen. The inquest continues. With almost a million young people

out of work anything to reduce that figure is bound to be welcomed — and

that's where Nottinghamshire's biggest careers fair may help.

Thousands of people have been visiting Nottingham Racecourse where

scores of exhibitors are providing advice and support. And as Quentin

Rayner reports, for one teenager, going to the fair really paid off.

Up to 6000 young people and their parents are expected to have

attended the fair at Nottingham Racecourse. Aimed at 15 to

19—year—olds, the exhibitors offered advice on the best choices for

further and higher education as well as apprenticeships. Really useful.

What do you want to do? I want to be a science engineer. I have been

searching for apprenticeships and I have found a few. I was looking at

construction work. How useful has it been? It has been very useful. It

does lead to a job. They get some real work experience. That stands

them in good stead either to be taken on by that employer or by

someone else after they finish their apprenticeship. This man walked into

full—time employment after an apprenticeship when he visited the

fair two years ago. The 19—year—old now works as an IT support

consultant for the training provider who give him his apprenticeship. I

went to the fair and I learned so much more. You find out a lot more

that you can do. He is typical of many young people. He wants to work

and has a great work ethic. He has an interest in IT which he was able

to develop. When he got qualified, we decided he was too good to lose.

Success for Jake and that they went down a as well. A leading charity

says almost a quarter of seven—year—olds, from lower income

families in the East Midlands, are NOT reaching the expected reading

standards. Save the Children says the government must act to stop

pupils falling behind. Simon Ward has been to a school in

Nottinghamshire that's trying to improve reading skills. At this

school, they are eager to learn, but in our region, 22% of

seven—year—olds from low income backgrounds are being left behind.

More intensive lessons are helping to boost reading ability. These are

the children of the recession, they were born in the economic downturn

and are beginning school life now. The charity is campaigning to reduce

the reading skills gap. With intensive teaching from our highly

qualified teachers, we returned these children to age expectations.

Five years ago in Nottinghamshire we started with ten schools and we

currently have 50 schools who are engaged with reading recovery. This

boy's reading skills are improving thanks to the scheme. The earlier

the intervention the better. That is why Reading recovery is so powerful

because it picks the most honourable children at the age of five and six

and really nips any problems they have with reading. The charity wants

the government to increase spending on reading tuition and in the

meantime schemes like this hope to set pupils on the right course to

enjoy books and reach the right standards for their age group. It is

time for the sport. Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill

has confirmed the signing of Argentine flanker Pablo Matera until

the end of the season. Matera is just 20 but comes fresh from the

Southern Hemisphere's version of the Six Nations. He will help to cover

for the injured Tom Croft. And Cockerill is delighted to have him.

Very abrasive and tough. We have had some good history with the

Argentinians and we are delighted to have him. He could be a real find

for us and hopefully, a decade or so with us would be very nice. In

football, some bad news for Derby County — striker Johnny Russell will

be out for around six weeks after breaking a bone in his leg. He

fractured his fibula during the match with Leeds at the weekend.

Elsewhere, there are two corking games in the Johnstone's Paint

Trophy to distract us tonight. Mansfield renew their always spicy

rivalry with Chesterfield — that's at the One Call Stadium. And Notts

County have a trip to one of the lower leagues' giants — Wolves. Top

flight speedway seems set to return to Leicester after 30 years. The

Leicester Lions say they're confident they'll be awarded

promotion to the Elite League next month. The sport collapsed in the

city in the mid 80's. But the revival's been remarkable. And this

Sunday the biggest crowd of the season is expected when Coventry are

the visitors. Mark Shardlow reports. It is nearing the end of the

season. The club the fans fought for for two decades to revive is going

strong. In tough economic times, the return of speedway has been a

success. We knew we would start off with a core crowd. The people who

remember the sport. We have got new supporters who are coming in to

support us. There is no open ocean and relegation. This time last

year, they applied to enter the top league but it was turned down. They

hope for a different outcome next month. The fans are brilliant. They

deserve the best racing. If they continue to support the club, they

will end up in the league sooner or later. Speedway has loyal fans. They

have to be looked after with great racing. To grow, Lester Haas to

attract newcomers, selling it as a family friendly night out. It is

great. It is good. I will come again. I always enjoyed it. I'm

excited about the racing. The little one likes it. This Sunday there is a

taste of what might be on offer next season. Coventry are in the Elite

League and they were once the bitterest of rivals. All our local

teams are in the Elite League. We will be racing against Coventry and

Wolverhampton. It makes the whole thing far more exciting for our

supporters. Some fans worry that promotion might mean a change at

race night, more expensive ad mission and the sustainability of

the club would be threatened. After a 30 year wait, the top—flight

speedway seems close to a return. Now as Leicester waits to find if

it's to become the next UK City of Culture, we're exploring how the

city has helped shape and inspire an array of creative people. Tonight in

the second of our series Made in Leicester, our Arts reporter Geeta

Pendse has been to meet a print maker whose imagination has been

fired by the city's architecture. In the busyness of life it is easy to

forget our surroundings, but for this artist, a walk—through

Leicester is a source of constant inspiration. From the historic

gallery to the forgotten factories of the city's industrial era, Sarah

has been documenting Leicester's many buildings through her work. One

of the things I find is that it is very compact. You get these changes

in the city very quickly. They're all within yards of each other.

There are lots of residential streets. The Tory and terraces. ——

Victorian terraces. These details are minute. There are a lot of

bricks. Sarah uses a technique which involves carving a design onto a

piece of lino and cutting out the white areas of the printer. Inc is

rolled over the design and a machine is used to make the impression on

paper. I was aware that people who had come to Leicester were very

modest about their own city and yet I was walking past buildings that

I've found gorgeous and interesting. There was something in me which

wanted to make something of those buildings that other people were not

shouting about. In many ways her work is about inspiring people to

take a second look at a world that is right in front of them. Such hard

work, but they are beautiful. They are stunning. It is time for the

weather. Our heat wave is coming to an end.

We have seen it out with a bit of a cracker. More sunshine today and

temperatures were even higher. We were up to 20 degrees in the East

Midlands and we peaked at 21 degrees. Temperatures are usually

around 15 degrees, so we are above average. There are changes to come,

high pressure is building in the West and that means winds will turn

to a northerly direction and we will bring in much colder air behind this

cold front. A bit of a shock to the system, it is turning colder and by

the end of the week, we will pull in brisk winds. Not a lot changing for

the rest of the day and tonight, it will be dry with clear spells. The

cloud will thicken later on. Temperature wise, 11 or 12 degrees.

A little bit cooler than last night. Tomorrow morning, we will

start off dry, a bit of brightness first thing, but the clouds will

thicken up and we will see a line of showers moving in. The showers are

associated with the cold front, some beautiful sunshine in the evening

tomorrow, but that is when we will start to introduce that cooler air.

It will feel cooler and fresher with highs of 13 or 14 degrees.

Temperatures will continue to take a nosedive later in the wake. Dry up

bright weather, but highs of 11 or 12 degrees —— in the week. Goodbye.