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Shahid Naqvi

Shahid Naqvi

Ethnic minorities and poor 'left behind' by Birmingham businesses

Low expectations are holding back students and workers from disadvantaged and ethnic minority backgrounds in Birmingham, a report has claimed. Read

Birmingham to brand itself as the UK's university city

A bid is to be launched to rebrand Birmingham as a university city backed by a major national cinema advertising campaign. Read

Gingerfest photo show celebrates the redhead

A Dudley photographer has launched an exhibition dedicated to the redhead. Read

Birmingham businesses urged to help save youths from gang crime

Birmingham businesses are being urged to employ members of violent gangs as apprentices under a pioneering drive to give wayward youngsters an “exit route” from a life of crime. Read

No messing about in boats if you're not a member at Bournville

Model boat owners have been told they cannot used the lake at Bournville Parkway unless they join the local enthusiasts' club. Read

Giant mosaic puts 113,000 in the big picture

If a picture is worth a thousand words then it would be difficult to over-estimate the value of this record-breaking mosaic in Birmingham made up of 112,896 individual images. Read

Row over Vatican's plans to move Cardinal Newman's remains

Gay rights activist Peter Tatchell has accused the Catholic Church of “grave robbery” over plans to move the body of Cardinal John Henry Newman to a new location in Birmingham. Read

From GCSE dunce to top of the class for Birmingham

Birmingham has marked more than a decade of consistent improvement in GCSEs as the city prepares to enter a “new world” of education next month. Read

There is "no excuse" for failing schools Birmingham headteacher claims

A head teacher who turned a Birmingham school from one of the worst in the city to one of the most improved in the country said there can be no excuse for failure. Read

Exam system becoming fragmented, Birmingham head warns

The exam system is becoming increasingly fragmented making it difficult for universities and employers to assess the relative worth of different qualifications, a top Birmingham head has warned. Read

Fantastic duo scoop 27 GCSEs with top marks

Two friends notched up a total of 27 A* grade GCSEs between them. Read

Isobel overcomes major operation to sccop 11 A*s

A talented Birmingham student who in the months before her GSCE exams underwent an major operation to allow her to walk without pain learned she has scooped 11 A*s. Read

Lozells teenagers scooped top GCSE grades two years early

Passing a GCSE two years early is impressive enough. Doing it in one year instead of the usual two is even more of an achievement. Read

Faith in God helped Alex raise his grades

Faith in God helped a teenager who got 11 grade A* and one A in his GCSEs resist the temptation go out and party with his friends instead of studying. Read

Shahid Naqvi: Why the sun always shone so brightly when I was a lad

So summer’s over. At least, that’s what it feels like. Technically speaking, autumn doesn’t start until October 26. But looking out the window as I write, it feels as good as a done deal. Read

Musharraf’s resignation welcomed by Birmingham Pakistani community

News of Pervez Musharraf’s resignation as president has been welcomed as a step in the right direction for Pakistan by Birmingham’s Pakistani community. Read

Mailbox sorry after tourist is stopped from taking photos

Managers at The Mailbox have apologised to a tourist who was called a “terrorist” by security guards while trying to take photos of the building. Read

Doctors criticise boxing plan for Birmingham schools

The Government is promoting boxing in Birmingham schools in a bid to tackle childhood obesity and provide an alternative to gang culture. Read

Safety officials deny speed cameras are just a ‘cash cow’

Safety officials in Warwickshire have defended the use of speed cameras amid accusations they are being used as a “cash cow” by authorities. Read

West Midland pupils bottom of SATs class

More than one in five 11-year-olds in the West Midlands failed to leave primary education with the required level of ability in literacy and numeracy this year. Read

Author Profile

Shahid Naqvi has been working as a journalist in the West Midlands since 1995 and has been The Birmingham Posts Education Correspondent since 2002. Before that he spent two years on The Posts business desk. He also writes a regular blog on education issues and a monthly column.

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