07/02/2014 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today. Tonight, the Government loses

patience with Derby's troubled Al`Madinah free school. The school

is to close, the Government says it has failed pupils but some parents

are angry. I am disgusted. They haven't taken

our children into consideration in this this. Also tonight, two

brothers are jailed after police in Derby smashed a human trafficking

racket. And turbulent time, the University

of Nottingham research is using virtual reality headsets and this

cyber motion simulator to try to make air travel more comfortable.

And as if we haven't had enough rain, find out why this Hollywood

musical is making such a splash. Woo!

Hello. Good evening. Welcome to Friday's programme. First tonight,

the controversial Al`Madinah free school in Derby has been ordered by

the Government to shut its secondary school. The move comes after Ofsted

placed Al`Madinah in special measures last October, stating it

was chaos, dysfunctional and inadequate.

Pupils must now find new places by September.

The primary school will however remain open. Serra is with us now.

It is quite a shock development? It is to some degree but this school

has been widely condemned for some time for offering a poor quality of

teaching. The school's minister Lord snatch has written to the new trust

`` truce tees confirming it must close at the end of the summer term.

He says he is concerned at the poor quality of teaching and the lack of

breadth in the curriculum. He said: Today's news comes after a pretty

turbulent year for this school. The Al`Madinah faith school opens in

September 2012. Almost a year later, the education funding agency

confirms it is investigating alleged financial irregularity, then come

concerns that strict Islamic practises are being imposed,

including forcing teachers to wear Muslim dress. Ofsted make an

emergency visit, and ordered the school to shut immediately. A week

later it re`open, the school is described by Ofsted inspectors as

dysfunctional and in chaos and places it in special measures. The

Prime Minister gets involved. If they don't take immediate corrective

action to deal with these things, yes, it should close. After pressure

to resign, the chair of the Governors steps down.

We believe the positions of the trustees has become untenable due to

mismanagement. It has become a national embarrassment. Lord Nash

announces a new education trust a month later. The current group of

governor, people who got it badly wrong are standing down. A week ago

a new board of trustees took over. Today, parents of children at the

school gave their reaction to the news I was going to move my son any

way, because he wasn't happy, he wasn't making 0

way, because he wasn't happy, he wasn't making any progress, he

wasn't engaging into any of the learning. I have to say I adisgusted

at Lord Nash for making this desex, they haven't taken our children into

consideration. The man in charge of turning things round at the primary

school is Barry Day, he is the current Chief Executive of the

Greenwood Foundation Trust `` Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust. He

comes with experience of turning round failing school, he told me

earlier it wassing the right decision to shut the school.

`` was Setting up a primary and secondary, despite the community

giving them advice that is not what they should do, was destined to

failure. If you add to that, a lack of basic system, a lack of basic

understanding about what a professional school should be, you

have a recipe for disaster. It is damaging to the reputation of free

schools. Of course it S there is no doubt about that, because people

will judge all free schools based on Al`Madinah and one or two others.

It's a job I have got to do now, to show that given a chance, this

school can turn itself round and not just be satisfactory but become good

or outstanding. Sarah, has 0

or outstanding. Sarah, has this 0

or outstanding. Sarah, has this ever happened

before, that a government orders a free school to close? It has

happened once but it is rare. The Government puts schools in special

measures and the hope is they on and improve. 0 0

measures and the hope is they on and improve. The Government doesn't want

this. It bangs the drums for the policy so it is damaging for them.

Labour's waded into this today, saying it has come to symbolise

everything that is wrong with the free 0

everything that is wrong with the free school 0

everything that is wrong with the free school programme. Finally, this

may not be the end of things. Lord Nash says the the primary school

manages to turn things round and offer high quality education moving

on from here the secondary school may re`open, the focus remains on

getting 140 secondary school pupils new places at other schools in the

city. That is some job. We will leave it

there. Next tonight, two brothers have been

jailed 0 Next tonight, two brothers have been

jailed for trafficking vulnerable men into the East Midlands to

exploit them for tens of thousands of pounds. The modern day slavery

racket was only discovered after one of the victims sought help from

church workers. From Derby Crown Court we 0

church workers. From Derby Crown Court we have this

report. The cramped conditions where some of

the men were discovered living. Mattresses infested with bed bugs. A

judge said the victims had been dehumanised. It came to light when

police raided a number of houses in Derby last July. They found evidence

that a dozen cheque and Slovak men were being exploited for benefit,

and wages. Victims had been lured to the UK 0

and wages. Victims had been lured to the UK with promises of work and

money. There was plenty of work, but they saw very little of the money.

TRANSLATION: when I was back in Prague I met with these people and

they promised they would give me ?50 a week or something.

When they started talking about England I thought I have never been

there, let's go. It ended up the way I ended up. I ended up with 10 or ?5

instead. Brothers Igor Marcin and Marek Marcin admitted human

trafficking and were today jailed for 52 months and 40 months

respectively. On the face of it everything appears legitimate to the

employer they are sending their victims to work at. Some evidence

this gang were looking at trafficking more people Absolutely,

you heard there was mention of Skype chat 0 0 0

you heard there was mention of Skype chat where they were talking round

other victims, o potentially female victims. Their wives Dagmar and

Gabriella admitted fraud and were given ten and eight month sentences

respectively but walked free having already received more than half

their sentence on remand. It is estimated the family made more than

150,00 pounds from the scam. A hearing to determine what happens to

their 0 hearing to determine what happens to

their assets, 0 hearing to determine what happens to

their assets, including prestige cars is due to be heard later.

Still to come. How a Nottinghaming club is helping Denmark tackle

gang`related crime. Plus how using one of these could

reveal the incredible details of Nottingham's underground world.

`` Nottingham. Now, could virtual reality technology help to overcome

some of the stresses of air travel? Such as lack of leg room, and

turbulence. That is the focus of a multimillion pound research project

led by the University of Nottingham. The new technology means that

passengers wearing headsets could feel as if they have been

transported to somewhere like a tropical island. Mike has been to

Germany to fine out more. I am being strapped into a motion similar for.

A pod that can be shaken to mimic the effect of turbulence. I will be

wearing a 0 the effect of turbulence. I will be

wearing a virtual 0 the effect of turbulence. I will be

wearing a virtual reality headset, showing a magic carpet ride over a

tropical island during my flight. To try to help me overcome the stress

of being buffeted. Are you OK? This research into

comfort is being carried out in Germany.

Research being led by the University of Nottingham. We have to deal with

noise, we have to deal with smell, crying baby, and what this research

is about is looking at whether technologies can support passenger

comfort. It is juddery when the turbulence comes but you have so

much to look at you are not thinking about it. The project is looking at

air travel in 2050. Virtual reality could take us outside the plane we

are on At one point you will have a mobile phone. You enter the plane

and you might get a tool from the air plan where you plug in your

smartphone, with all the things you are interested in, and then you can

put this thing on your head and then you can enter the different world.

In nearby Stuttgart more research. Aircraft of the future may have no

window, allowing 0 Aircraft of the future may have no

window, allowing the cabin to be used for image, the back of the seat

could be turned into a screen with the horizon controlled by space age

glasses. Even budget airlines may want do this. There is another

aspect in terms of a better flight experience, in terms of more

comfort, which is also a selling point, probably particularly for

budget air lines. The research is costing EU taxpayers

round ?2.8 million. It is being done across six countries. If we can

understand the issues for the airline, for the airport, for the

passenger, it is money well spent. It is claims the `` claimed the

research could help people overcome their fear of flying.

Extraordinary stuff. A Leicester primary school which was left

devastated following a fire in 2012 is to re`open. Catherine June

orschool was so bad didamaged they had to use temporary classroom, the

school will rope in May. Controversial plans for an outdoor

cycle track on part of a Derby wildlife reserve have been approved.

The Sanctuary nature reserve was set up 0

The Sanctuary nature reserve was set up on Pride Park a decade ago. The

cycle track will cover a fifth of it, next to the new velodrome. More

than 1,000 people objected to the partial loss of the reserve but

councillors gave the project the go`ahead by just six votes to five.

If UK Independence Party kicked off its regional campaign today in

Nottingham for May's European Parliament elections. UKIP is

pinning hopes on some of these candidates getting elected. The

party currently has two out of the five MEPs that represent our region.

Leading its list for the East Midlands is Roger Helmer, a former

Tory MEP who defected to UKIP We say Europe is damaging brings it is

costing us money, it is undermining democracy and we want a referendum

now. 0 democracy and we want a referendum

now. Now, boxing school has been so successful at helping to reduce gang

problems in Nottingham, that the concept is being exported to

Denmark. Members of the Nottingham School 0

Denmark. Members of the Nottingham School of Boxing are travelling to

scanned they've away to take part in a conference and tournament. We went

to see them training. `` it is a tough sport that is

helping tough young people. The Nottingham School of Boxing is

offering an alternative to hanging round on the streets. The chance to

work out and compete. For us to get international reck in addition for

other people outside Nottingham and England to recognise what we are

doing is fantastic. And I think it just motivates us to carry on in

what we are doing you know. Today that are off to Denmark to meet one

a team that visited Nottingham last summer. They will attend a

conference to show how this club has steered people away from problems.

The club helped me a lot. I went through a bad time when I was

younger, getting into trouble with the 0

younger, getting into trouble with the police, associating with gangs.

Didn't have a release for the action I had. Brought me into the boxing.

Spoke to me and install installed belief. Without things like this,

there has to be an abundance of kids just like me who would end up on the

streets doing gang violence or pushing drugs or all those different

things we don't need to be doing. It is a vibrant and successful club

that shares the community centre, but they want to expand further and

are searching for they own gym. `` their own gym.

We will see how they get on. You are watching East Midlands Today. Coming

up the sport. The Foxes are flying. It has been absolutely remarkable,

here at 0 0 It has been absolutely remarkable,

here at the 0 It has been absolutely remarkable,

here at the stadium they are going for a tenth win in a row are

Leicester City, we will be looking ahead.

Time for us to clamber down into the biggest network of man`made caves in

Britain. The caves lie beneath Nottingham and experts are hoping to

make the underground world a much more accessible. It is all to do

with technology. The Nottingham caves is working on a smartphone

application that allows us to navigate what is beneath our feet.

One cave in particular is attracting a great deal of attention.

Now many of us associate Nottingham's caves with tourist

attractions like the castle. But if you walk through the city seven

threr is a cavernous world beneath our feet. Most are shut off to the

public but experts are working on a new way to make them accessible to

all of us. Welcome to the Peel Street caves.

This 3`D images has backbench produced as part of the cave survey.

They use laser scanners to document round 70 of the 500 or so man`made

caves. So we have panoramic imagery. If you move the phone or the tablet.

Now 0 If you move the phone or the tablet.

Now the team are working on a smartphone application, which will

enable us to see what lies beneath. When you are walking past an

interesting building with a cave underneath it you might have no idea

it has a cave. That QR code or following the map will hopefully

show you what is there and show you some magical gems under the city.

From wine cellars to dungeons each cave has a unique history. These

ones were the muse of a painter who etched and sketches into the cave

wall, and in fact the Kayes seem to be inspiring artists of the present.

`` caves. Turner Prize nominated artist Marvin chet win got

permission to film in the Cas caves. The entrances to the caves are very

almost like the Harry Potter trick of, you don't expect that platform

to exist, there is a gap and you go through a domestic door and you are

in a tunnel, then in a completely out of this world strange

environment. David and his 0

environment. David and his team hope to have the

phone application ready for use by the end of the month.

That is stunning. I I love that. Time for sport. Today, 0

That is stunning. I I love that. Time for sport. Today, focus on

Leicester City, top of the championship. Just can't seem to

stop break records. Colin has been to find out how they are doing it.

Remarkable things are happening here at the stadium. Lesster city are

going for their tenth win in a row. If they beat Watford they will have

more points now than they did in the whole of last season. No wonder the

Gaffer Nigel Pearson has been made manager of the month for January,

when his team picked up 15 points out of 15. Even so, he is not

letting himself get carried away There is a sense of enjoyment, you

know, the players are really good to work with. They are self motivated.

They have a desire to go out this season, and achieve. I suppose all

those things together make for a chemistry and interaction which

allows you to go out and do well. So congratulations to Nigel Pearson,

but of course, the manager is only a part of 0 0

but of course, the manager is only a part of the story. 0

but of course, the manager is only a part of the story. It is the players

who have to go and do out tn pitch. There are so many keys to Leicester

City's success from back to front. Including Matty James, the

midfielder has had a great time since arriving from Manchester

United. He has been sitting down and talking

to our own Natalie Jackson. Matty James is the Lancashire lad. I

am from Rossendale. Matty James scores. Who is all abouts he's They

made me feel welcome, I am happy to be here.

He is 22. Plays in midfield and is loving life ten points clear at the

top of championship. I have never experienced it in my

playing career, it has been magnificent, all the lads are

talking between ourselves and talking, can we keep go, can get

ten, 11? We want the try and win as many games as possible. His best

buddy is Danny drink water. We have grown up since we were really young,

we were at Manchester United together. We spent time away from

the club together, we don't live far away from each other. It is one of

these things, 0 0 away from each other. It is one of

these things, you know, sometimes you have a bond with a player, it

makes it easier, especially if he is the person next to you. James

started his career at Manchester United. When it comes to, you know,

a 0 0 United. When it comes to, you know,

a new contract you 0 United. When it comes to, you know,

a new contract you had to deal with himself yourself, you didn't have an

agents, it was you as a individual. I had to go and speak to him

personally. When the bid came in from thrers he let me speak and I

have nerve looked back since. So Alex and Nigel Pearson have been

huge influences. The set up here, the club, it is made to be in the

Premier League. Fingers crossed we get 0

Premier League. Fingers crossed we get there. If we were to line up at

Old Trafford that would be magnificent.

Matt there just one of a number of key figures here at Leicester City.

Let us talk to someone with a 40 year association with this club.

Alan birch natural. Remarkable times here. Yes, not seen them the my

time. 0 here. Yes, not seen them the my

time. It is really exciting times for the club. What is behind it?

Matt talked about the spirit and egg, is that what you Sport Relief

it to be? What is behind it is quality. Nigel has 0

it to be? What is behind it is quality. Nigel has put a quality

side. It's a squad. A strong squad, a lot of ability, hence the nine

game winning streak. It is so exciting. Wouldn't it be fantastic

if all three of us went up. It is a great possibility. I mean it would

set the place alight. I would do you guys the world of good. We would

love it. We will be watching this weekend, to see if Derby and Forest

can take another step. Forest have a Blackpool Derby. They have Queen's

Park Rangers at home. We have to take the game to QPR. We

know they are a good team. They have made good additions in Jan. Charlie

Austin has gone out. Matt Phillips has gone out, but they have replaced

them with thrive three striker, they have the experience. Them, along

with thre, it is for them to really lose `` Leicester, and not go up.

The number of games we have played Blackpool, including the last game

where they beat us and games before that, they have dominated the game

so much. We have created so many things we have been unfortunate not

to take something from the game. Including the play`off matches, so

they are a bogey team. I don't think too much about the past, I don't

look too much into, you know, the speculations and, you know the

things that people talk about. I look forward to the next game. So

there is a buzz, excitement for all three team, these really are

thrilling times here in the East Midlands, elsewhere plenty of other

stuff going on, in the Football League one 0 0

stuff going on, in the Football League one Notts County have a

tricky game. They could use a win there. Mansfield have Southend in

League Two. Rugby, Leicester Tigers are back in action. They need to win

their next four games. They have us withster away, and as for the ice

hockey, it is the classic, Panthers against Steer, if you haven't got a

ticket you won't get one. Pretty much sold out there.

But here at Leicester it is about going for ten in a row, wouldn't

that be something? A full report, of course, on Monday East Midlands

Today. 0 course, on Monday East Midlands

Today. It might just happen. I thought he was going to kick that

ball. And we would catch it. A Derbyshire actor who shot the fame

in Hollywood, before being shot dead in a soap. Any clues? He is among

the cast leading a production that has just arrived in Nottingham and

it is not JR. I only know this because it is written down, you

might remember Maxwell Caulfield from Grease 2 or the Colbys. Sara

has been catching up with him and you will work out why it is we have

sent her. It has been one of the wettest

Januarys on record, but audiences here have been discovering that it

is no only been raining outside, but indoors as well. Did you feel that?

# What a glorious feeling # I'm happy again. #

The Hollywood musical Singin' In The Rain is full of charm, romance and

glamour, but how do they make it rain indoors? We have three storage

tanks on the stage, which has 12,000 litres of water, so one flick of a

button we can make it rain on stage, but we have the bonus of question

flood the stage, so we have filters in so we recycle the water and so

everything we flood with and it goes back in to the tank, goes through

filters and back on to stage so we can use that for however long we are

in for. Studio boss RF Simpson played by Maxwell Caulfield is

keeping his feet dry and the show on the road. My character is the head

of movie studio. It is our lot where this wonderful romantic story is

unfolding. Does he manage to keep his feet dry? I do until the curtain

where we do a big number that sends everyone home with a song in their

heart. If you are lucky 0 everyone home with a song in their

heart. If you are lucky enough to be coming to see the show and happen to

be sitting on the front two rows I would recommend your waterproofs.

Some of us never grow up. She can tap dance. I thought she will tap

dance. We thought we would import some of the rain into the studio. We

don't need to. Very appropriate. I hope you have your rain Mac. If you

fancy a bit of Singin' In The Rain you are in luck. Plenty of chances

as it is unsettled. Blustery showers on Saturday, but the main feature

will be the wind, it is expected to gust 40`50mph, but up to 60mph in

exposed area, Sunday it remains unsettled. So, as we go through this

evening it is this area of low pressure that is moving in, giving

us a spell of very wet weather through the night. But as we go into

tomorrow, the isobars continue to squeeze together, giving us really

strong gusty winds through the day. With the wind and rain we have a

warning for Leicestershire where the ground is saturated and we have

flood alerts in force. That is in place until Sunday morning.

So we have had a decent day with lovely winter sunshine, but the

cloud will start to push in, we will see one or two showers round and the

rain will arrive later this evening. Round about midnight and it pushes

through to the east as we go into the early hours of Saturday morning.

A lot of cloud round, keeping it mild, lows of just four degrees. So

a few showers round first thing, you might be lucky to see a bit of

sunshine if you are up early, because things change, the cloud

starts to increase and the showers push in as we go into the afternoon.

These are heavy, blustery showers moving through. Decent spells of dry

weather to the east, but into the west more in the way of shower,

highs of eight degree, here we have the gusty south to south`westerly

winds. Sunday is a slow improvement. Plenty of showers round and it

remains windy but the winds ease through the day and any showers on

Sunday will gradually become lighter, so an improving story

across the week. That is what we like. An improving

story. Much like ourselves. Yes, like a fine wine 0

story. Much like ourselves. Yes, like a fine wine that has been

corked. Cheers. Have a lovely weekend.