A mix of sunny spells, cloud and showers are forecast for Greater Manchester for the remainder of this week, according to the Met Office.
31.03.2024 - 18:03 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The M.E.N recently reported on the scale of demand for high school places in Trafford, the only Greater Manchester borough which still has a state grammar school system decided by the 11-plus exam. Here, the M.E.N's Damon Wilkinson writes about how Trafford came to be the only borough in our region which kept a selective school system which defined post-war Britain - but only survives in a few parts of the country today.
"If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to destroy every f****** grammar school in England." So said Labour Education Secretary Anthony Crossland.
And the architect of comprehensive education was very nearly as good as his word. Between 1971 and 1978 around 650 grammar schools closed.
But a handful of 'rebel' authorities revolted against the changes. Among them - and arguably the most obstinate - was Tory-controlled Trafford council.
READ MORE: Greater Manchester's lost schools - and the stars who went to them
And the consequences of that stance are still being felt today. The fiery debate around grammar schools began to gather steam in 1964 when Harold Wilson's Labour Government vowed to 'get rid of the segregation of children caused by 11-plus selection'.
Opponents argued the system was elitist, entrenched privilege, damaged the children who failed the entrance exams and did nothing to drive up overall standards. But advocates of selection maintained it did improve the calibre of education and also promoted social mobility by providing bright students from modest backgrounds with a way to succeed.
When Trafford council came into being a decade later on April 1, 1974 the row was still raging. Formed out of bits of Lancashire and Cheshire, it was one of the few local education authorities which had
A mix of sunny spells, cloud and showers are forecast for Greater Manchester for the remainder of this week, according to the Met Office.
Now that the days are longer and brighter it’s the perfect time to get outside and explore the beautiful landscapes we have right on our doorstep. We’re spoilt for choice in Greater Manchester with miles upon miles of gorgeous countryside to visit nearby.
A semi-detached house has come up for sale in Greater Manchester at a much cheaper price than similar properties in the area. The three-bed home in Denton, Tameside is on the market for £50,000 - making it one of the most affordable homes you can currently buy in the region.
There are plans to create a new town council in Salford - which could take control over services including bin collections, roads repairs, and street cleaning.
Spring is a time to rediscover the incredible countryside we have right on our doorstep. Among nature’s delights at this time of year are the gorgeous displays of spring flowers which pop up everywhere, with bluebells being one of the most popular.
A play centre in Greater Manchester is letting parents pay what they can in a bid to help struggling families.
The Libertines have revealed that they’ve bought the bathtub that Jim Morrison died in for their Margate hotel, The Albion Rooms.The band released their fourth album ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ last Friday (April 5), marking their first full-length record in almost a decade. It is currently on course to hit Number One in the UK.During a new interview with Matt Wilkinson on Apple Music 1, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât talked about achieving their “dream” of opening their own Libertines hotel and studio space in 2020.“We’ve also got the bathtub that Jim Morrison died in, which we’re going to be putting in one of the rooms,” Doherty explained at one point in the chat.The frontman of The Doors passed away in Paris in 1971 aged 27.
With brighter and warmer days ahead of us now that winter is over, many people will be planning trips out in the countryside. One natural wonder which provides a beautiful backdrop to a walk or picnic is a breathtaking waterfall.
Bolton is a town prone to an identity crisis. Ever since it was pulled into Greater Manchester by the 1974 Local Government Act, many of its residents have steadfastly refused to accept its removal from Lancashire.
From working 70 hour weeks due to staff cuts, to turning off lights and the heating on quiet days or shutting altogether, the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills are forcing pub landlords to take drastic measures in a bid to stay afloat.
There are plans to convert a grade II building in Salford into new homes.
There's a Manchester derby of sorts on Saturday, but it will be a world away from the billion pound empires that collide when Manchester City and Manchester United lock horns. The biggest game in Manchester won't be at the Etihad or Old Trafford, but down the road at Boundary Park.
Two rivers which flow through Greater Manchester had the most amount of sewage spills in England last year, data appears to show.
The cost of renting is continuing to soar across the UK - and Greater Manchester is no exception. Rents have now risen by 8.8 percent across the country, with prices up by as much as 20 percent in some areas.
With two weeks off school it can be hard to keep the kids entertained over the Easter holidays. It’s especially tricky when the weather is hit and miss.
A new banking hub in Stockport will open this week, it has been confirmed. Located in the Village Square in Bramhall, it will offer counter service operated by the Post Office, where customers of all major banks and building societies can carry out regular cash transactions.
If you're someone who likes to count calories then this time of year is probably a challenging one for you - or something you choose to ignore altogether.
Amid the mansions in one of Greater Manchester's leafiest suburbs sits a row of pristine white cottages with a little-known history.
Staring down at the stunning views of Ras Al Khaimah, I couldn’t believe I was hundreds of metres in the air - and in control of a plane. Moments earlier I’d lived out my Barbie girl dreams by stepping into a hot pink light aircraft at Jazira Aviation Club - the first of its kind in the United Arab Emirates.
A mix of sunshine and showers is forecast for Greater Manchester over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.