Granada Education News

The North West will get 15 million pounds of Government money to make cycling in our towns and cities safer.

The money will be used to improve the design and layout of roads at 78 locations across the country, with all schemes due for completion within the next 12 months.

The cash consists of a 20 million Government grant and 20 million from local authorities.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "Cycling is healthy and reduces congestion so it is welcome news that more and more people are taking to two wheels.

The schemes cover every English region apart from London

• UK
• cycling
• Road safety

Sir Steve Redgrave will visit a school in Greater Manchester to encourage pupils to stick at their chosen sports after leaving education.

The five-time Olympic gold medal winner will be at Ashton-on-Mersey school in Sale.

He will be launching the Matalan Sporting Communities (MSC) project, which is backed by lottery funding.

It's aim is to encourage young people aged 14-19 to continue playing sports after leaving school.

• UK
• Sir Steve Redgrave
• Olympics

Former servicemen and women are being recruited to mentor pupils in Lancashire.

Politicians hope it will make teenagers turn up for lessons more and help them achieve better exam results.

• Education
• Lancashire
• Army

The two largest teaching unions, NUT and NASUWT, have announced a series of industrial actions in response to their dispute with the government over pay, pensions and workload.

The actions include:

• National rallies across England and Wales in April and May
• National strikes starting in the North West on June 27

If the Education Secretary does not "respond positively to the unions’ demands" there is also a chance of further strike action in the Autumn term, including a one-day nationwide strike.

• Education
• NASUWT
• NUT

We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the University of Chester which will ensure that innovation and technology will remain a key contributor to the local and regional economy and community and which builds on Shell's long history of manufacturing and technical innovation in the region.

The university has formed some very exciting and robust plans for the development of the site and we wish them the very best in bringing these to fruition.

• UK

Our commitment at Thornton could bring up to 2,000 jobs to the area over the next five years, together with perpetuating Shell's distinguished reputation.

"The university's vision is to build on the excellent foundations laid by Shell to create an internationally-recognised, financially self-sustaining and multi-disciplinary campus that targets and stimulates private sector growth through employment, education and inward investment.

"It will integrate students with employers and employees."

• UK

Shell has gifted its largest science research centre in the UK to the University of Chester.

The company had previously announced plans to close Shell Thornton, in Cheshire, and consolidate research and development facilities elsewhere.

Today it was confirmed that the University of Chester will take over the 66-acre site, which includes 48 science and engineering buildings.

The university said the plan means Thornton, which opened 75 years ago, will remain at the "forefront of scientific research".

It now intends to use the site to raise student numbers by around 500 and provide support services to more than 20 small and medium sized businesses.

Other proposals, including a science park with communal laboratory space, will mean Thornton has the potential to create thousands of jobs, the university said.

• UK

• And Finally