05/09/2012
Other News In Brief
Private Schools Will Open Doors To Poorer Children
A number of independent schools have pledged to open their doors to talented pupils from non-privileged backgrounds if the government agrees to pay part of their fees.
The high performing institutions said they wanted to admit bright children regardless of family income, arguing the move would be the "single biggest policy step" towards boosting social mobility.
A total of 80 independent day schools are in support of a state-funded Open Access scheme in which they would match fee subsidies from the government with money from their own bursary funds.
The programme, in which parents pay a sliding scale of fees according to their means, was piloted at the Belvedere School (now an academy) in Liverpool over seven years.
Direct Line To Cut 900 Jobs
Insurance company Direct Line Group, which is being demerged by parent company RBS, has said it will shed 900 jobs in a bid to save costs.
Direct Line has launched a series of initiatives to target £100m of gross annual cost savings by the end of 2014.
These include the closure of a site in Stockton-on-Tees, which will affect about 500 jobs.
The company is expected to be floated by the bank in an initial public offering (IPO) later this year.
Mars Distanct Themselves From Deep-Fried Bar
Chocolate manufacturing giant Mars has distanced itself from the famous deep-fried Mars bar by seeking a disclaimer.
The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, claims to be the birthplace of the recipe almost two decades ago.
Plans to bid for EU protected geographical status were dropped.
Mars has written to the owners saying the product is not authorised or endorsed as it does not fit the company's promotion of healthy living.
Mars is now seeking a menu disclaimer.
A number of independent schools have pledged to open their doors to talented pupils from non-privileged backgrounds if the government agrees to pay part of their fees.
The high performing institutions said they wanted to admit bright children regardless of family income, arguing the move would be the "single biggest policy step" towards boosting social mobility.
A total of 80 independent day schools are in support of a state-funded Open Access scheme in which they would match fee subsidies from the government with money from their own bursary funds.
The programme, in which parents pay a sliding scale of fees according to their means, was piloted at the Belvedere School (now an academy) in Liverpool over seven years.
Direct Line To Cut 900 Jobs
Insurance company Direct Line Group, which is being demerged by parent company RBS, has said it will shed 900 jobs in a bid to save costs.
Direct Line has launched a series of initiatives to target £100m of gross annual cost savings by the end of 2014.
These include the closure of a site in Stockton-on-Tees, which will affect about 500 jobs.
The company is expected to be floated by the bank in an initial public offering (IPO) later this year.
Mars Distanct Themselves From Deep-Fried Bar
Chocolate manufacturing giant Mars has distanced itself from the famous deep-fried Mars bar by seeking a disclaimer.
The Carron Fish Bar in Stonehaven, in Aberdeenshire, claims to be the birthplace of the recipe almost two decades ago.
Plans to bid for EU protected geographical status were dropped.
Mars has written to the owners saying the product is not authorised or endorsed as it does not fit the company's promotion of healthy living.
Mars is now seeking a menu disclaimer.
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 February 2005
Specialist schools improving faster than other schools
Specialist schools are performing better than other schools in England, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has reported. The education watchdog found that pupils in specialist schools have performed better at GCSEs since 1998 and the rate of improvement in GCSE results was also faster in these schools.
Specialist schools improving faster than other schools
Specialist schools are performing better than other schools in England, a report by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted) has reported. The education watchdog found that pupils in specialist schools have performed better at GCSEs since 1998 and the rate of improvement in GCSE results was also faster in these schools.
19 December 2003
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
Beagle 2 lander separates from orbiter module
The European Space Operations Centre has confirmed that the Beagle 2 lander successfully separated from the orbiter at around 11.15GMT on Friday December 19. The ESA announced that the Mars Express spacecraft had "flawlessly released" the Beagle 2 lander that it has been carrying since its launch on June 2 this year.
23 January 2004
Mars Express finds water in polar cap
Mars Express, the European Space Agency’s first mission to Mars, has revealed evidence of not only carbon dioxide ice but also water ice in the region of the planet's southern polar ice cap.
Mars Express finds water in polar cap
Mars Express, the European Space Agency’s first mission to Mars, has revealed evidence of not only carbon dioxide ice but also water ice in the region of the planet's southern polar ice cap.
07 January 2004
Mars Express fails to raise Beagle 2
Attempts by the Mars Express orbiter to raise the silent Beagle 2 lander have met with no success today, confirmed the European Space Agency (Esa) team in Germany.
Mars Express fails to raise Beagle 2
Attempts by the Mars Express orbiter to raise the silent Beagle 2 lander have met with no success today, confirmed the European Space Agency (Esa) team in Germany.
05 January 2004
Scientists hopeful of contacting Beagle
As the Mars Express orbiter nears its final low orbit trajectory around Mars, Wednesday January 7 marks what is considered to be the final chance to establish contact with the Beagle 2 lander.
Scientists hopeful of contacting Beagle
As the Mars Express orbiter nears its final low orbit trajectory around Mars, Wednesday January 7 marks what is considered to be the final chance to establish contact with the Beagle 2 lander.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.