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Tony Collins

Tony Collins

Healthy mix in city schools

CATHOLIC primary schools in Birmingham's inner cities are leading the Government's planned transformation of faith schools. Read

Moody Blues @ NEC

YOU only had to look at the black and white photos of the band displayed on the screen behind them to realise how long the Moodys have been entertaining us. Read

Languages blitz in Brum

MON Dieu! councillors in Birmingham, concerned over the "collapse" of languages in the schools, have begun a campaign to address the problem. Read

Silly season continues for stand-up

SILLINESS is happily very much 'in' - and who better to drive it forward than comedian Tim Vine. Read

Rage at 'failure' of black boys

THE UK's race equality chief has spoken of his "rage" at the underachievement of black boys in the current school system. Read

Birmingham brings the best out in Irina

A GIFTED young Ukrainian woman who came to Birmingham as a shy 12-year-old has conquered the language barrier to get a top degree from Oxford University. Read

School blasted for 'failing' its children

A BIRMINGHAM primary school has been accused of "failing" its pupils by providing inadequate education. Read

Alex is thriving after class win

A SPECIAL needs boy who won a landmark victory against Birmingham City Council over where he should be taught is continuing to thrive. Read

Pope's child sex cover up denied

BIRMINGHAM'S top Roman Catholic leader today denied the Pope had tried to hide child sex allegations against the church. Read

Fewer kids on term-time hols

PARENTS in Birmingham are heeding lessons by not removing their children from school during term time despite overall concerns about attendance figures. Read

Forgotten boy left in 'naughty' room

It was only when special needs pupil Jordan McCormack failed to meet his frantic mum at the school gates that he was discovered in the tiny annexe room. Read

Uni: We won't forget our Deepti

THE site where a university worker was battered to death has been reopened following a major refurbishment to provide a lasting tribute. Read

Pupils miss their target for English

FEWER 14-year-olds in Birmingham are reaching expected standards in English this year, according to new classroom test results. Read

Ties pose a risk on the wards

THE humble tie could be causing a major health risk in the country's hospitals, according to an alarming study carried out in Birmingham. Read

City museum is a class act!

WHILE thousands of pupils have returned to the classroom after the long summer holiday, one large group of children is enjoying lessons in an unusual venue. Read

Schools feel heat over diet

A BIRMINGHAM education chief today warned that new Government healthy eating initiatives are putting too much pressure on schools to produce well-nourished children. Read

Top two out at pervert's school

THE head and deputy head teacher at a crisis-hit Birmingham school have both left their jobs, it was revealed today. Read

A 'real' job is a release

PRISON inmates should be given "real work" opportunities with full employment rights, according to research carried out by criminal justice experts in Birmingham. Read

Students are turned away

DOZENS of adult students were turned away from a city training centre after the plug was pulled on its funding at the last minute. Read

US bus crash girl is back on her feet

A BIRMINGHAM student is able to stand just three days after breaking her back in a horror coach crash in the USA. Read

Author Profile

Tony Collins joined the Birmingham Mail in 1980.After working in a couple of the Mail's district offices, he became Education Correspondent in 1994. Being regarded as something of a Groucho Marx lookalike, it is no surprise that he is also the Mail's 'Mr Comedy', responsible for interviews with many of our top comics.

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