whoa..big University. When I set foot on the grounds of Durham University, I couldn't comprehend…read morehow big it really was. Mind you - the university that I graduated from in the US was a small private Catholic institution. I really enjoyed studying there and thought it was a nice place for a study abroad experience.

Today, Thursday the 22nd Day of the Moon/Month of November, MMXVII - 2018 A.D. I read on Yahoo! or…read moreBing News that several United Kingdom Newspapers reported that Mr Mathew Hedges, aged 31, a post-graduate Ph.D. Student/Researcher educated by/or still employed at Durham University, has been under investigation and arrested several times by the Government of the United Arab Emirates, since the 5th Day of May MMXVIII - 2018. Mr Mathew Hedges wife is pictured with her husband in the United Kingdom, in Central London, near the seat of the United Kingdom Government. Mr Mathew Hedges is not identical to the Mr Mathew Hedges who is currently employed a Her Britannic Majesty Queen Elisabeth's Ambassador to Paraguay, and worked as a Diplomat in various positions since before the year MM - 2000 A.D. The University of Durham has not issued any statement on Yelp on Mr Mathews inprisonment. I heard that Professzor Iva'n Szele'nyi, who disappeared from The Karl Marx University of Economics and Politics, Budapest, was teaching us Sociology there, a Teacher at the Sociology Department at the Karl Marx University of Economics and Politics, visiting the United States of North Amerika in 1963 on a one year scholarship, is Professzor of Sociology at the 'New York University of Abu Dhabi' ??, Professzor Norman Stone is Professzor at Bilkent University, and could also be interested in the matter, as they are both personally involved, as I am in researching matters of Internatinal Economics and Politics. Professzor Peter De La Fosse Wiles books on the Economics of the Soviet Union will also give some information on how the situation leading to Mr Mathew Hedges five months inprisonment in the United Arab Emirates developed. When the Irish ITV Television Journalist was taken hostage in Beirut, other people teaching in Beirut were also taken hostage, leading to the Special Envoy of the Archbishop of Canterbury being taken hostage.

Very large school, situated on the coast of Whitburn village…read more Large playing field, large sports hall aswell as a very large function room.

My eldest daughter goes to the Nursery at Ryhope Infant School…read more On my first visit I thought the school was a bit like fort knox. You have to walk around the gated field and yard to get to the reception. Once you reach reception you have to wait for someone to open the door for you. But thinking about it, this is a great feature for the school. It means that no-one can get into the school without someone knowing. On a morning a teacher opens the gate and checks the children off a list, or the children enter via the childrens centre and you can watch them go right into the class room. Friday afternoons see the nursery open there doors onto a corridor along with the reception class doing the same, allowing the children to mix, and not be intimadated my the older children. The head teacher, Mrs Ray is very friendly and approachable. My daughter has progressed really well there and I'm sure that the pleasent atmosphere and friendly teachers help in this.

There are so many pretty lights to look at! I would give this place five stars if you didn't have…read moreto have or be with someone who has a disability to get in. There is a huge ball pit with floating cushions, a sensory cave with thousands of lights and projections, floatation tanks, swimming pool/jacuzzi and all prices are reasonable. This place can be hired out for groups of people. There are different classes running through the day such as art & crafts and gardening.

Firstly, I wish to point out the comment made in the previous review about giving the centre 5…read morestars if it wasn't for the fact you can only go if you have a disabled person with you - clearly that is the point; both the respite and the activity centre were set up with the aim of supporting disabled people and their families. I am aware this must be a common issue, since I heard one person complain they couldn't get in to summer event; apparently they were hoping to meet 'the main man'. Once you start letting randoms into the centre, particularly the ignorant and those who will gaup at the disabled guests, you are creating an unsafe environment, lest the verbal abuse that both disabled people and their carers face. Disabled people and their families go to places like this because people are use to seeing and spending time with disabled people, so I hope they never have open days - they won't come to help the disabled. This also links into what I have to say - the best respite care does not allow all and sundry into through the doors. Security is an issue here - yes, you have to ring a bell for staff to let you in (sometimes a kind soul, other than staff will let you in, which they unintentionally don't realise is a security risk) and they also have security cameras, but there is still a worry of the intentions and experience of volunteers. The majority I have seen are competent and respectful, but one recently, sat at the front desk made me, a relative of a disabled user of the centre, very uncomfortable. She was gossiping and carrying on, I felt, and I noticed how she looked at a severely disabled person. She was also staring at me in a horrible fashion. I worry about randoms coming into the centre to pad out their cvs, without any real understanding, and with that, there is always a risk of an unqualified person claiming to be an expert on such matters which is potentially very dangerous. She was also making comments as I left the building. I was quiet because we had experienced an upsetting situation, and no, I do not have any disabilities, physical or learning-wise, I have you know - you should try asking. This is called communication which is lacking in some cases between staff. I also find it extraordinary that the carers and families of the able-bodied, but those who have learning disabilities are so ignorant when it comes to physically disabled people. I personally would have recommended different respite centres for able and physically disabled people. An open door policy is worrying for families leaving their vulnerable relatives who can't fight people off. Too many cooks spoil the broth - sometimes too many carers is not a good thing. One of the best respite care homes operated with far fewer staff and operated a lot more successfully. Again, this clearly causes communication problems. They don't appear to know who has been on shift earlier in the day which I find odd seeing they have staff-turnovers. The activity centre is attractive - the sensory rooms are a little small to manoeuvre large wheel chairs. The pool is aesthetically pleasing but a design flaw is apparent for my relative's needs. The ceiling hoist and steps cause a barrier getting into the pool. A pool where the stairs are located in the corner, avoiding making the water shallow in the middle would be better. Here the handler can get in, control the hoist control, position the guest in their arms, remove the sling without having to move to the far corner which means two people are required. It is also safer. It is a shame some visitors have to be rude. Two women with small babies - I am unsure of their disabilities - using the sensory room, I think, were pathetically impolite. I think people like this would be wise to stay at home. 30+ experience living and working with a person with special needs.

A secondary school located in Birtley. They have recently moved into a new building and despite a…read morefew minor problems is a well run and modern school. In its last ofsted inspection the school recieved an outstanding in all areas. The headmaster David Grigg is a friendly and well educated man who has improved the schools standards emmensly.

I went to this primary school myself between 1995 and 2001 and really benefited from the school and…read morethe staff. Inside the school it is very well laid out and all of the staff are extremely friendly, easy to get along with and helpful as and when they can be. The teaching of general subjects was excellent and the emphasis on good behaviour really paid off and made the link to comprehensive school very easy. Would definitely recommend!

Great School, nice kids. At least it was and they were when I taught there 35 years ago.!!! No…read morereason for this to have changed

Best school in the area. Absolutely positively fantastic. Love all the teachers. Well goooood…read more School dinners need some work. Every little helps are great from the juniors!