04/04/2017 South Today

Welcome to South Today, I'm Allen Sinclair.

The teachers facing redundancy as their struggling academy school

tries to cut costs and pupils head elsewhere.

I think the priority should be finding a different sponsor for the

school, one that cares about our children, not just budget.

We meet the woman who has battled anorexia to become a body-building

champion. Twice I nearly lost my life, and even at that point, I was

convinced I did not need help. The flying car developed in Dorset

that's won multi-million pound We meet the woman who's

battled anorexia to become And, the worldwide reaction to this

magical moment for a grieving mum Hello. You are beautiful. You

looking after him? It's a central plank

of Government education policy - to encourage, but not force,

all schools to become academies. They remain state funded, but run

by not-for-profit businesses. Tonight, two stories about different

schools in the South. They've discovered that,

despite the greater financial freedoms of academy status,

they're still vulnerable to the budget problems

affecting many other schools. First, David Allard reports

from the Isle of Wight on a struggling academy

where the Trust in charge is facing It's a maths problem that won't be

solved in this classroom. How do you save nearly ?250,000

from the school budget? The challenge has been set by AET,

the Academies Enterprise Trust, The school's answer, to put 18 staff

at risk of redundancy. The Academy came out

of special measures two years ago, but is still seen

as underperforming, and pupil The school has capacity

for nearly 1900 pupils. Five years ago, it

had just over 1200. That has now fallen to just over

1000, which also means a big reduction in the funding it receives

from the government. It is very difficult,

we don't know what's going to happen I've got a younger child due to be

going up to high school in the next couple of years,

and it is uncertain for him as well. I am hoping that it will improve

and that they won't make I think the priority should

be finding a different sponsor for the school,

one that cares about our school Isle of Wight Council may not

control the Academy, but with local elections looming,

the parties have strong views. The Conservatives say the Academy

is a potential financial and educational disaster,

and want AET replaced as sponsor. The independents say it is important

these concerns don't distract youngsters about take exams,

and describe the Tories' school funding formula as not

fit for purpose. Labour says it had long-standing

concerns about AET's management of the Academy,

both in terms of academic standards and continuing chipping

away at staffing levels. Ukip and the Lib Dems

did not respond to our "Sandown Bay is working

in a difficult environment." Meanwhile, teaching unions have

asked for more clarity They have also told us that staff

here have no confidence in both AET All the issues will be thrashed out

at a meeting on Friday, but it is clear this Academy

is facing an uphill struggle. Meanwhile in Dorset,

a new trust is taking over the Isle of Portland Aldridge

Community Academy. Known locally as IPACA, it has 1,100

pupils aged between 4 and 19. The school's had ?25 million

of government investment. But it's currently in special

measures after going through two It's now set to be run

by the Aspirations Academies Trust, which already runs three other

schools in the county. Are we already? Here at the Academy

in Bournemouth, the focus is learning linked to careers and the

same ethos will be used to try to turn around IPACA. The principle

here has been drafted in to try to lead the transformation. Here, from

a very early age, they are thinking about their futures. We had a

careers day at school. At the age of seven? Yes, these people came in.

One of them was a dentist. Another was a hairdresser, and some other

people. Did it make you think about what you might want to be when you

grow up? Yes. We think about numbers, not letters. Do you think

what you do in school might help you? I want to be a chef. What does

it take to be a chef? You have got to learn the recipes properly. They

have to be able to see that what they are doing links to real life,

so they see people from all sorts of industries coming to the school. Do

they achieve better in the class as oversold? I think so, there is a

real attitude in the classroom of achievement and working towards

their goals and being the best they can. We have got a track record of

turning schools around in a rapid period of time. We are going to do

it here, I can't give you a timescale, but they have got such

potential. There is a long way to go in Portland, but the aspirations

team believes it has the track record to pull it off.

A former Thames Valley police officer, who was critically injured

four years ago when he tried to stop the driver of a stolen car

PC Gareth Browning was struck by the vehicle, leaving him

The driver was later jailed for nine years,

but lawyers are now examining whether additional charges

Let's join Joe Campbell who s live in Whitley

Well, police officers from Thames Valley where here on that November

night back in 2013. They were here with the intention of stopping a

stolen master, which have been taking just a few days earlier. PC

Browning was an experienced officer based just over the hill here, and

he was equipped with a so-called stop stake, a device which has

spiked on it to rapidly deflate the tyres of a stolen vehicle, bringing

it to a safe stop. Instead, she was struck by the car, thrown through

the air, and suffered serious injuries and brain damage as a

consequence. He was placed in a medically induced coma and pulled

through, but there was no doubt he had suffered life changing injuries

which forced his retirement from the Thames Valley force. The question

now is whether or not those injuries resulted in his death on April one

this year. The Thames Valley force so they are

talking to the CPS, what does that suggest to you? Well, look a wood,

who was driving the stolen heart, -- car, he was on day release from

prison at the time. He dumped it just a little way from here, was

subsequently arrested, and was jailed for nine years for grievous

bodily harm. Thames Valley says they are waiting for the outcome of any

postmortem examination, and they may approach the CPS to see about having

fresh charges brought. The difficulty first is the three years

that have passed since then, and also the fact that Luke Haywood has

been dealt with, and as a consequence for that to happen, they

would have to go to the Attorney General.

Support is growing for a Hampshire teenager who's living

in fear of being deported back to Afghanistan.

Walid Durani was allowed to stay in the UK during his childhood.

But now he's an adult he's been told he must return.

His grandfather was beheaded by the Taliban.

But, with no proof of his family's persecution, Walid's application

Now, thousands have signed a parliamentary petition,

asking the government to let him stay.

When Walid's employers heard he was about to be deported,

they launched a campaign on his behalf.

Those who have offered their support include Winchester musician

Walid has no home in Afghanistan, or family to go back to.

Whenever I'm going to sleep, I wake up in the night and there's

a lot of stuff going on when I'm going to sleep, lots

Whenever I remember back to when I was in Afghanistan,

I have seen what happened there, it just wakes me up.

As a skilled bricklayer, Walid pays tax like any other British citizen.

We work in the construction industry, and we need hundreds

so to send someone like him back who has been trained

here and has a skill, and then all of a sudden say sorry,

you have got to go, you have got to go back,

For humanitarian reasons, apart from anything else,

it is just the wrong thing to do, to send Walid back.

Last week a severe panic attack put Walid in hospital.

He has been prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety

tablets, as well as antibiotics for tonsillitis.

He is back at work, but daren't go back to his sister's in Fleet

because he's terrified immigration agents will turn up and put him

on a plane to Afghanistan, where he fears he will be killed.

I want to die here, not back in Afghanistan.

If I die in Afghanistan, no-one will ask about me.

Hundreds of people every day die there, you know.

No-one asks, why is he dying, why is he not dying?

If I die here, I have all my friends, family.

The Home Office says it doesn't routinely comment

on individual cases, and if Walid's situation is even

to become the subject of a government debate,

tens of thousands more signatures are needed

Talks between the RMT and the conduct disunion -- conduct' union

took place today as another strike is due to take place on Saturday.

Imagine beating the jams by taking off in your own flying car.

A Dorset technology firm has just won multi-million pound backing

from a Chinese investment firm to develop its early prototype.

Gilo Industries has already scored success with jet-powered

Here's our business correspondent, Alastair Fee.

From land to air, this is one of the first generation of cars that can

also fly. When we are looking at the best ways, the safest ways to get

man into the air in a machine that you can drive on the ground. In a

factory in Dorset, fake now want to take vehicle flight to the next

level. Our core aim is to produce the next generation of engine for

recreational machines that allow us to transport ourselves in ways we

have not been able to do before and revolutionise personal

transportation. A big drive behind that is behind the engines to make

these machines possible. To fund such ambitions need money upfront.

They have just secured ?26,000 tax to the backing of a Chinese company.

A attracting Chinese investment, in the context of Brexit, this money

from outside the EU is more important than ever. The Chinese

market is interested in the engine technology. They are really

forward-thinking and they are trying to think about new aircraft. Having

these very small, lightweight, high powered engines is what they are

looking for, and there was no one else in the market space competing

with us. By opening up that market space it allows us to increase

sales. Developers say this is no flight of fancy. For commuters tired

of sitting in traffic, the dream of taking to the skies might not be

far-fetched. Designers predict the first models could be available

within ten years. A project to preserve Swanage Pier

will go ahead after receiving half a million pounds

in government money. The renovation was threatened

when the original cost of ?1.7 million increased

to ?2.2 million, The grant from the Coastal

Communities fund will go Stay with us to hear how a Hampshire

amateur golfer's off to tee with some of the best in the game

at the US Masters in Nicola came from Andover is one of

750,000 people in the UK affected by an eating disorder. His anorexia was

so severe that at one stage she ended up in intensive care. But

Nicola has found an unusual way to fight back. She has turned to

body-building, and last weekend took top prize in a national obsession.

This report includes a graphic image of Nicola when she was very

underweight. Nicola suffered from anorexia, and nearly lost her life

to this illness. It was a surprise victory. I remember them calling out

my number, and I just froze. The girl next to me was knocking me. I

was so overwhelmed, I was an emotional wreck, really. I was

squeezing my husband's hand, saying do you think she will do it? And

when she did, wow. She was shocked as well. It was just a wow moment,

it really was. From the age of 16, Nicola King, now 24, had anorexia.

More than two years she was in and out of hospital, at times close to

death. Even at that point, I was convinced I did not need help. I

would pull out the tubes when they tried to feed me. When you have

reached the stage when you are in hospital and your child, you are

told that she might not survive the night, purely because we took her to

hospital. If we had not taken to hospital, she would not be with us.

This was no overnight transformation. Although still

desperately ill, in 2013, Nicola boarded a flight to Mexico and spent

three months on her own, gradually starting to eat. It is a date she

remembered with a tattooed. When she was stronger she started to go to

the gym, and last year she took up body-building. If I can show people

that I can do it, then hopefully they can see there is light at the

end of the tunnel. Anorexia you see nothing but death. Does it scare

you, how close you came to that? It does now. At the time, I didn't feel

anything. I think the fact that three thoughts in my head, I nearly

a VAT on my life. An inspiring story.

Now, a big night for the promotion chasing teams.

Absolutely, we have got Redding in action. Brighton are trying to inch

ever closer to the holy Grail, which is automatic promotion to the

Premier League. We will be at both grounds at the moment. But I love

this sporting week of the year. It is the first golf major.

Waterlooville golfer Scott Gregory will tee it up with the greatest

golfers in the world at this week's US Masters.

The 22-year-old secured a golden ticket to three of golf's majors

by winning the British amateur title last year.

We caught up with him at his home club, Corhampton Golf Club

in the Meon Valley, before he left for Augusta.

Scott Gregory's life changed when he became

First he played in the Open Championship.

Now, he's preparing for the US Masters at the lush surroundings

I've watched a lot of stuff on YouTube, I've got all the pins

from the last four years for each day, so I know roughly

where the pins will be because actually they don't change

them too much each year, which is quite interesting.

So I've got a good idea where I need to be practising to.

22-year-old Scott, who plays at Corhampton Golf Club,

has his own Open Championship experience to fall back on.

At the Open, I have never been so nervous in my life.

But you have almost got to convince yourself that I've just hit five

of these on the range and all of them went down

the middle, so there's no reason why this one can't.

It will be the same at the Masters, I just have to focus on the spot

and blank out everything else, and just hit the shot like I would

He'll find a fellow Hampshire man on the field at Augusta.

I'm going to ask if I can play him in the par three, or something.

Just to be able to mix with people like that, like Rose,

they are out there doing what I want to do for

Just to get to speak to them and see what makes them so good,

First aim is to make the cup, and once I've made that,

To be playing in one of the most select tournaments in the world

at one of the most glamorous locations is a dream, but Scott

And Scott will play with former Masters winner Sandy Lyle

and American Sean O'Hare in his opening two rounds.

The event is live on BBC television Saturday and Sunday night. There is

also coverage on five live for the whole week.

The race for the Premier League resumes tonight with both Brighton

The Albion are getting closer to a return to the top flight

for the first time since 1983, while Reading have the

In a moment we'll hear from Tim Dellor at The Madejski

stadium, but first, Johnny Cantor previews Brighton's home

Step-by-step and little by little, the seagulls seem to be edging

closer to Premier League football for the first time in their history.

Saturday certainly felt like a pivotal day in the chase for

automatic promotion, but the site will have to back it up with a wind

against Birmingham city this evening. 20 clean sheet has been the

foundation for success this season. There are matchwinners as well. As

for the visitors this evening, Birmingham City have only won twice

under their manager, and that is since he joined back in December

last year. Elsewhere in the championship this evening, Redding

take on back Rovers. Tim della previews this for us.

Redding have been in terrific form a this season. 13 wins the sofa,

including the one on Saturday against Leeds. Tonight it is back

burner, who lost to Brighton at the weekend. And for Redding, the

opportunity to go third. It is all about reaching the play-offs and it

does not seem too far away now for Chamakh reading. Another giant step

in that direction. "Here At 8pm. It's one year to the day

until the Commonwealth Games begin on Australia's Gold Coast,

and later this week South Today will be meeting the Bournemouth-based

players hoping to be Britain's first male representatives in beach

volleyball at a games. We caught up with Jake Sheaf

and Chris Gregory at training today. As you can see, they have got a

weatherproof environment to work in. It be a lot nicer on the Coast,

though. Yes, it will be a good event to cover. Hand eye coordination,

beach volleyball is not for me. So, what's the best way to get young

people interested in art? Hold an exhibition in a school,

and then throw it open That's the thinking behind a huge

display in Godalming, made up of hundreds

of painting and sculptures. Let's join Alexis Green

who is at Prior's Field School. Yes, around 650 pieces of artwork

here in Surrey, made all over the country, from this beautiful

ammonite in Norfolk, to this large eagle, which was produced in Wales.

Here at Prior's Field School near Godalming in Surrey

is one of the largest art exhibitions outside London.

Inside the school has around 500 works of art, but outside,

It's in its 22nd year, and a couple from Hazelmere who made

that possible are Evelyn and Gwyn Phillips.

As you have said, there's a lot of sculpture,

and in fact many of the sculptors are members

We are standing alongside one of the most prestigious,

which is Sarabande by Philip Jackson.

What is going on inside the building, Evelyn?

Inside the building we have got a wonderful exhibition,

and an incredible eclectic mix of paintings, sculptures

What is nice about this exhibition is that families are welcome,

it is free of charge, and people bring their friends to mix and see

I have just been told that the artwork is selling like hot cakes at

the moment, so do get down here. It is open from 10am - 4pm until Easter

Sunday. She has always got her eye on a

bargain! Absolutely.

Just 30 seconds long, showing a robin landing on a mother's hand

But the story, and the emotions behind it, are so powerful that over

ten million people have now watched it via Facebook.

One brave little robin, and a moment that reduced

The robin appeared by the grave of Jack Robinson, who died

He is on the right here with his brother Liam.

Three years ago, Jack developed a brain tumour and died

A few days ago, we were coming up to Jack's third

anniversary of him passing, and I said, "Jack, if there's

anything you can show Mummy, today would be a really good one",

so I came up, sat down next to him, and with that I had a robin.

Marie put her camera into video mode, and this is what she got.

Marie posted the film on her Facebook page three days ago.

This afternoon, the number of views passed 10 million,

and messages have come in from all over the world,

many from people who have been through similar bereavements.

To me, when we see a robin, that's Jack.

If we have gone on holiday, we have had a robin land at our table.

If we have gone walking, we have had a robin sitting on a bench.

What an extraordinary story. And capturing that moment on your camera

phone, you have always got to be opposed. Dash-macro poised.

Susan Hutchins took this picture of Guildford Castle in the sunshine.

Hamworthy was looking beautiful in the spring sunshine -

thanks to Amanda Farrell for this one.

And there was some spring colour at Burnham Beeches for David Dixon.

Alexis is in amongst the sculptures this evening. What have we got to

look forward to? It is looking fairly good over the

next few days. This is my favourite sculpture, a lady blowing in the

wind. The wind was fairly brisk today. You can see a clearance of

cloud was the north and east, and that clearing sky is going to push

further south and east overnight flight, allowing temperatures to

fall away in the countryside with lows of two or three Celsius. In

urban areas, temperatures will drop to 5-7 C, so quite a chilly start to

the day tomorrow, but with clear skies tonight, it means lovely blue

skies tomorrow morning. A lovely start to the day. Temperatures will

ride through the afternoon to 11-13 Celsius with plenty of sunshine.

During the latter part of the morning, cloud will still south and

turned the sunshine hazy, so the best of the sunshine will be fought

southern coastal counties and the Isle of Wight in the afternoon.

Feeling pleasant in any sheltered spots in the sunshine. Tomorrow

afternoon, temperatures will read 11-13 C, slightly above today.

Through tomorrow night, the cloud will increase and we will see the

chance of some outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain, with

temperatures falling away to 6-8 C. Temperatures slightly lower in the

countryside. Here is the outlook for the rest of the week. A fairly

cloudy start to the day, the cloud will thin and break through the

morning, leaving sunny conditions, though further cloud will fill in

tomorrow evening. The rest of the week will start on a cloudy note,

but it will brighten up in the afternoons. Over the weekend along

the coast there will be a sea breeze. Inland, height of 16

Celsius. Thank you. It is a shame you are

missing tomorrow, because we have got kids learning to play snooker

and they are really good. That's it for this evening. We are

back with the headlines at 8pm and a full programme at 10:30pm. Good

night. HORN BEEPS

That car.