Chetham's School of Music teachers set to strike in pensions dispute

An independent school in Ashton has been criticised by Ofsted after inspectors discovered there were no changing facilities or outdoor space for PE - and a ‘narrow curriculum’.

Blackpool Tower has announced a new series of live music events taking place inside its iconic ballroom. The first Blackpool Tower Live Weekender will be held from May 24 -26 and promises the ‘ultimate night out’.

A multi-millionaire who left school with one GCSE has revealed how he turned one simple idea into a business empire.

The Smile headlined the third night of the BBC 6 Music Festival last night (March 9), alongside the London Contemporary Orchestra – check out the video below. The COVID-formed, loose experimental band, comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood, alongside Sons Of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner, played a lengthy set at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse, the main body of which saw them joined by the classical orchestra.

which went viral last month, was advertised as “a celebration of sweetness and imagination” that was inspired by the hit movie Wonka and the Roald Dahl book behind it. Outraged parents began demanding a refund shortly after it opened, describing it as a “farce” run by “cowboys”.The event’s organisers, House of Illuminati, decided to pull the plug just hours into its opening day.

key demand – a cut in the VAT charged on tickets.In response, several representatives from various live music organisations have responded negatively to the proposed budget.Jon Collins, the CEO of Live (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), issued a statement expressing frustration on the lack of action in cutting VAT rates.He said: “Today’s Budget represents yet another missed opportunity to accelerate the growth of the live music sector and the wider economy while also providing urgently needed support for grassroots music through the reintroduction of a lower VAT rate. 20% VAT on tickets in the UK is vastly out of step with our competitors in Europe and North America and has become a material factor limiting the number of gigs, tours and festivals our world class industry can put on.”He continued: “Fewer shows mean reduced economic activity in towns and cities across the country – an estimated £1m is spent in local businesses for every 10,000 people who attend a gig – and heaps further pressure onto grassroots music venues that are closing down at an alarming rate.

Roxy Music‘s frontman Bryan Ferry has sold 50 per cent of his music catalogue in a deal with Iconic Artist Group.The deal includes a range of assets from Ferry’s music career including his solo work as well as the work from his time with Roxy Music. Iconic Artists Group also acquired half of the singer’s sound recording, publishing, and name, image and likeness rights.

Plans to partially demolish a church and replace it with five new homes in Sale have been submitted to Trafford council. If approved part of Sale United Reformed Church will make wake way for two new detached houses. Part of the old Sunday school hall will also be demolished to allow its conversion into three more homes.

A rapist paid for a taxi to bring a teenage girl more than 60 miles across the country before raping her. Jake O'Neil, 33, met the girl, who was under 16, in an online chat room where he groomed her before moving onto Snapchat.

Four people - three men and a boy aged 17 - have been charged after a police investigation into a suspected drugs line between Manchester and Somerset.

A primary school in Cheshire was left "really shocked" when they received a pair of signed Mary Earps gloves in a bid to help raise money for a new sports track.

When Richard Midgley's daughter was moving up to secondary school in 2022 she applied to five places, but didn't get in any. The family, of Bowdon, later discovered they were just four metres outside the catchment zone for their first choice, North Cestrian in Altrincham.

REM, Amy Winehouse, Florence & The Machine, Adele, The Killers and Nick Cave. It was also the venue for Kings Of Leon’s first UK show in 2006.The former Edwardian dance hall has been used as a music venue since 2001, when it was restored by its current owners, Charlie Raworth and Emma Hutchinson.Now, Bush Hall has confirmed its future as a music establishment is under threat and they are four months away from “making a hideous decision” about whether to cease hosting live music events.

It's always a nerve-racking wait to find out whether your child has got into their chosen secondary school and today families of Year 6 pupils will get the answer.

Parents in Manchester have responded to the news that fines are increasing for taking kids out of school.

Chester Zoo is letting schoolchildren visit for free as part of its aim to inspire a generation of conservationists.

Parents say their young children had to be prised from their arms at the school gates after a rule change following the half term break.

A hairdresser who got kicked out of school at 13 says he is living his dream after being invited to New York Fashion Week.

Amazon Music is offering an awesome deal where you can listen to millions of songs from the biggest stars like Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Harry Styles for just £1. For one week only, a three-month membership to Amazon Music Unlimited – Amazon's premium music streaming service – has been slashed by more than £30.

Amazon is offering three months of unlimited music and podcasts for just £1 to customers who sign up to their trial.