14/01/2014 Look North (Yorkshire)

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Hello. Welcome to Tuesday's Look North:

should you have to pay so your child can use an iPad for school work?

We'll hear from some parents who say they're coming under unfair pressure

to foot the bill. It felt to me like parents were being emotionally

blackmailed. We'll ask an education expert whether it's worth the money.

Also tonight: Four weeks after the death of Sheffield father Simon

Holdsworth, detectives arrest a man on suspicion of his murder.

And five foot four but a giant of the game. Football pays tribute to

Leeds legend Bobby Collins. This valley will look very different

in the morning. Join me for the detailed five day forecast.

Good evening and welcome to the programme. Parents at a West

Yorkshire school have told Look North they're being emotionally

blackmailed into paying for iPads for their children. Prince Henry's

Grammar School in Otley has been consulting parents over plans to

provide pupils with the tablet computers. They would be expected to

pay ten pounds a month per child for the next three years. In a moment

we'll hear from an educational expert about the role that tablets

can play in enhancing education, but first our reporter has the story.

Hallmark is already a high`tech affair. Soon `` for Holly, home work

is already high`tech affair. Soon she could be using a tablet

instead of a computer. The jury is out on this. I don't want my

daughters education to be tested by technology. They have already put

the computers through their paces. These students are learning Spanish

using their own iPads. Pupils and staff say the devices are working

well 18 months on. We have to look at how students learn in the

21st`century. There is no substitute for an excellent teacher. What we

are trying to do is combine excellent teachers we have here with

technology and provide the students with technology to help them learn

better. But the devices themselves are only half the controversy. I

didn't feel that I had a sufficient say as a parent. Parents criticise

the cost of the devices and the way they have been introduced. It felt

to me that parents were being emotionally blackmailed. They have

put undue pressure on parents. The consultation has failed. There been

told this is in their best interests and they should go ahead with this.

The school reject that saying three separate consultation events were

held. But many feel if iPad hole really

are essential educational tools, then it is the school, not parents,

who should pay for them. Kevin Burden is from the University

of Hull. He has done research looking at the use and impact of

tablets in schools and homes in Scotland. We have had a big response

to this story. Parents very divided about the idea of being asked to pay

to buy tablets. ?360 per child. What are the educational benefits to

spending money in this way? Well, the educational benefits from the

research we have undertaken across Scotland and the UK indicate that

students are more engaged and motivated. Teachers note that there

is a far higher degree of creativity and students can use movies and

animation. It unleashes different aspects of students capabilities. It

begins to bring in more offing take ways of working. New tasks, live

data and video capture. They have not been available in the classroom

in the past. You can get other tablets for a third of the price.

Schools need to look at that. With most technology, the price reflects

the capabilities. There must be some disadvantages as well. Are we not

losing the ability to teach? We saw that teaching changes. It always has

changed. Teachers become more adept and use the technology in different

ways. It doesn't replace teachers and it complements what they do and

can add value. I did want to emphasise we did not see anything in

the research that suggested teachers were being made redundant by this

type of technology. Some parents just don't want their students using

computers at school because they use them in their free time and they

cannot monitor their useful stop that is a real concern. One school

in Edinburgh launched a parental contract. Parents and teachers came

together to agree what the protocols would be. That dialogue is

important. The need to share concerns in order to make this a

successful stop thank you. `` successful. Thank you.

Prince Henry's is not the first school in our region to ask parents

to pay for tablets. And many of you have been getting in touch with us

to share your views. Dan Fox says, it seems like a great scheme to me.

More and more companies are using them, so it seems logical to use

them from an early age. But Tracey Lee says, new technology will always

have a place in education, but it shouldn't replace the basics.

Expecting parents to buy expensive equipment creates a bigger gap in

standards between the rich and poor. Dawn Williams ` who's a learning

support assistant in a primary school ` thinks, these devices allow

children who struggle to access the curriculum through "normal"

channels, freedom to grow and gives them a sense of achievement. Amy

Wells got in touch. If the school wants the children to have one than

the school should fund it! I couldn't afford it, nor would I want

to even try. South Yorkshire Police have

confirmed they've arrested a 45`year`old man, on suspicion of the

murder of Simon Holdsworth. On 17 December, Simon Holdsworth's

body was found in this field. The police began a hunt to try to find

the killer who caused head injuries. They wanted to find anyone who had

seen him since he left work night before. He would often cross this

field. Police began their enquiries and went door`to`door around the

house is before Christmas. They ask his fiancee and his mother to make

their appeal to the public for information. Simon was a lovely son

and person. He was always there if anybody needed help. Always the

first on the front line. So loving and caring and was such a bubbly

personality. What has happened to Simon has devastated our lives. We

are a close family and this has left a huge haul. Simon was an extremely

popular man. He was a fan of Sheffield Wednesday. The club paid

tribute to him, as did his workplace of 16 years. Many people this

afternoon have contacted me to say what a popular man he was. We know

the police went door`to`door before Christmas. This weekend, they have

been around the community again. Today, news of this armrest. They

have not said much more than to confirm a 45`year`old man was

arrested. He will be questioned over the next few hours.

Later on Look North. It is one of the highest honours in France. But

which Yorkshireman has been awarded this was to just medal?

Some of Yorkshire's credit unions have reported a huge rise in lending

over the three months before Christmas. Millions of pounds have

been lent to families in need. It's perhaps not surprising that families

have been struggling to pay the bills in the run up to Christmas and

have sought help from Credit Unions around our region. Between October

and December last year, the Leeds City Credit Union lent nearly ?2

million to struggling families. That's a 25% rise on the previous

year. The Bradford District Credit Union

also saw a rise of about 25%. And the South Yorkshire Credit Union

saw an 11% rise on the year before. I could not think straight. It was a

cloud over my head. This woman is 82 years old and got into debt after

her bank charged her for her overdraft. I got into difficulties

paying them back. I felt ill and could not sleep at night. Credit

unions encourage people to save what they can and only ball over the can

afford. Some pressure might be under pressure because `` some people

might be under pressure because of the economy and low wages. It makes

sense to come to the credit union to borrow because we can provide

affordable credit to people at a much lower rate of interest than

payday lenders. There is always money there for me now. My own

money. Not money I borrow, but my own money. I love having the

security. I should have done it years ago. It was such a relief. It

was such a weight off my shoulders. I can go to bed at night and not

cry. Police are looking for a 14`year`old

girl who's gone missing from Scarborough. Chaenan Bertinelli has

relatives in London and it's thought she may have gone to visit them.

Officers are concerned for her safety because of her age and the

lack of contact with her family. The High Court has today approved a

scheme to pay compensation to seven million customers who were mis`sold

insurance for their bank and credit cards. The insurance was mis`sold by

York`based CPP, which operated through 13 High Street banks and

card companies. 98% of customers voted in favour of the compensation

package, which will allow policy`holders to claim back

between100 and ?300 each. Police have named a man who was

found dead on the A65 near Skipton last week. Harry Chamberlain, who

was 47 and from Skipton, was found with head injuries on the road at

Draughton last Wednesday evening and pronounced dead at the scene. North

Yorkshire Police said one car hit him as he was lying in the road and

several other drivers had to swerve to avoid him.

The Government is promising to investigate why antenatal classes

for pregnant women in York have been scrapped. Last year York Hospital

became the first in the country to stop providing the traditional

face`to`face classes. Some groups, like teenage mothers, are

continuing, but other classes have been replaced by online videos. In

the Commons today the Health Minister Dan Poulter said he'd look

into it. The Yorkshire Wildlife Park has

announced it's to create more than 100 new jobs. The attraction near

Doncaster currently employs around 100 staff. But it's expanding and is

recruiting another 100 to work during the summer season.

Construction is already underway on new retail units and a new polar

bear reserve. The former chairman of the

Co`Operative Bank, Paul Flowers, who's a Methodist minister in

Bradford, is being questioned at a police station in Leeds about

allegations of buying and using illegal drugs. He was seen leaving

the police station in the last few hours. Our Crime Correspondent is

outside Stainbeck Police Station. Paul Flowers arrived here at 12:30pm

today. He was escorted into the police station. This was the same

place he was questioned just before Christmas. He was arrested after a

sting by the Mail on Sunday newspaper which claimed to show him

buying and using class a drugs including cocaine and vitamin. We

don't think he got into top two detectives until 2pm. He left about

half an hour ago. He was driven away in a fast car by friends. His

solicitor said no charges have been brought against him and his bail has

been extended. He will probably return here in the middle of April

when they expect there to be some sort of conclusion to this case.

This involves a man who until last year was the chairman of the

Co`Operative Bank and was chairman and by the House of Commons Treasury

committee about why there was a ?1.5 billion gap in the finances of the

bank and he resigned a short time afterwards. Several months of

problems for Paul Flowers. He will be back here at this police station

in the middle of April to further answer bail and see whether any

charges will be brought against him. Still to come: North Yorkshire

composer Alistair Griffin tells us about the new song he's writing for

the Tour de France. Here's one he came up with for one

of last year's sporting highlights. If only dreams could live. I would

never have to see what F. `` what if.

A Yorkshireman has become one of only a handful of Britons to be

awarded the French Order of Merit. It's an honour usually reserved for

high ranking military and royalty, but Ian Reed, who's the director of

the Yorkshire Air Museum, was recommended for the award by the

French Ambassador. It follows years of work he's done to commemorate the

thousands of French airmen stationed at Elvington near York during the

second World War. When Ian Reed opened his post the

other day, this letter was a complete surprise to him. From the

French ambassador, it was to say he had been ordered the order of merit

by the French President. Are very rare and prestigious honour. Was an

amazing surprise. Very humbling, actually. The order of merit has

been awarded to 2.5 million people including Charles de Gaulle, Marcel

Marceau and King Juan Carlos of Spain. As director of the air

Museum, he has devoted a decade to research French service men. This

base was run exclusively by the French. It is good to tell the story

back to the French today. He organised a special service in York

Minster in 2011. This impressed the French Ambassador. He was awarded

this at the rank of officer which is quite unusual. Not many foreigners

get this order of merit. This is very prestigious really. I will

carry on being the same person. My real hope is that it will do

something to act knowledge of French here. Act knowledge Elvington and

Yorkshire, particularly at the time of the the Fonz. `` Tour de France.

The French authorities want to honour him for his dedication to

history. He was officially five foot three

inches tall. He wore size four boots and yet was a giant of a man for

Leeds United. Bobby Collins died yesterday after a long illness. He

was 82. He played for Scotland and was also manager of Huddersfield

Town and Barnsley. Tributes have been pouring in today.

Bobby Collins was signed for ?20,000. His team`mate Norman Hunter

has no doubts about his place in the `` in Leeds United's history. One of

the bravest small men I ever met. He used to get stuck in and with

Savacentre is. He was five foot four. The gaffer made some signings,

but Bobby Collins was brilliant signing. He was always a great

interviewee. I never had the best of luck with my previous managerial

roles, but I thought this place could be something good. God bless,

it has turned out to be like that. He never thought about losing. We

are standing here in front of Billy's statue. If he was here

today, he would say he learned everything he learned from Bobby

Collins. He was a tremendous character. And immaculate man off

the park. He was immaculate all the time you saw him. He had 31 caps for

Scotland and played for Leeds in 167 games. His death is also being

mourned at Celtic and Everton. I was too young to know him at

Leeds, but at Anns way he was a very genial manager. Used to have a cup

of tea and toast before interviews. He did a good job at Barnsley. She

will be sadly missed. He was a great character and a terrier on the

football pitch. Now, you won't have failed to notice

that hundreds of cyclists will be on their way to Yorkshire in less than

six months' time for a certain global sporting event. And a North

Yorkshire musician is hoping to inspire millions of us by writing

the official song for the Tour de France in Yorkshire. Alistair

Griffin from Whitby has already written sporting sound tracks for

Wimbledon and the Olympic Games. As a keen cyclist, Alistair Griffin

has described his latest commission as his dream job. Work to compose

the official song began in October. Although it remains a closely

guarded secret, he hopes it will inspire those not just competing but

the 3 million spectators who will be watching. This will be a massive

event. This is about pride and the idea it is on our home turf. The

themes I will put in the song will reflect that.

I was dreaming of the past... His songwriting talents were first

noticed 11 years ago. He was a finalist on Fame Academy. Since

then, he has composed music for many sporting occasions. His song was

used to mark Andy Murray's momentous victory at Wimbledon. He was

becoming the ultimate what F man. `` what if man. That is what the song

was about, what if. We can reveal that will be at least one

distinctive sound. I have done some work with a colliery band. They are

a fantastic set of musicians. Proud Yorkshiremen. They will feature on

it. The song will have its official launch at the end of March. A

stirring soundtrack for what is being billed as Yorkshire's a guest

ever sporting event. We wait with bated breath!

We know our MPs here in Yorkshire like to dress up as animals. I'm

thinking of the moment George Galloway appeared on national

television as a cat. Well now, Alec Shelbrooke is getting in on the act.

The Elmet and Rothwell MP donned this tiger striped onesie complete

with claws and a tail on the Daily Politics Show today. He has promised

to wear the outfit to vote in the House of Commons to raise money for

the Martin House Children's Hospice. We are hoping to raise ?5,000. If we

do, I will vote in the satire. I don't need to ask the speaker

because I am not going in the chamber.

They are all the rage now! I can see you in Big Brother, Harry!

Let me show you some pictures that came in in the last 24 hours. This

is beautiful. The missed just beginning to clear. Next, we have

some snow, around about 1500 feet. This was Sunday morning. Keep the

pictures coming in. A big change coming in the next 24 hours. Milder

air spreading in from the south`west. Tomorrow will be grey

with patchy rain courtesy of this one front. Mid`morning to

mid`afternoon, it should be reasonable with some dry weather.

Always a lot of cloud around. You can see the cloud piling into the

West. It is beginning to reign over the Pennines. Further east, touch of

Frost. After a dry start in eastern areas, the rainbow slowly edging

over 400 metres. Rain and drizzle for most of us. Mist and fog over

the hills. Temperatures to or three degrees. `` two. A grotty start,

cloudy with mist and drizzle. Some showers falling, but a dry period

mid morning to mid`afternoon. Later in the day, more patchy outbreaks of

rainbow spread north eastwards. Let's look at the top temperatures.

The warm front will lift temperatures. Sunspots might get up

to 11 Celsius. Very mild for the middle of January. Thursday looks

brighter with sunny spells and some showers. A lot of uncertainty for

the weekend. Saturday could be quite dreary weather rain or drizzle at

times. Perfect weather to wear a onesie.

We are back at 10:25pm. Goodbye.