Hi everyone and welcome back. I trust you all had a brilliant half term.

On Monday we had an excellent staff training day. It is so important that we are able to keep up to date with the latest developments.

We held a couple of open events at Medtia Square on Tuesday and it was wonderful to welcome so many families from our Pathways, Horizons and Future Finders. What was particularly encouraging was the number of families who have heard of us from different local authorities. I’d like to put on record my thanks to all the Horizons team who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the building is ready for our young people. I know for certain that we have made the right decision in moving from Boston House – we are now in a modern building that suits our young people and the location couldn’t be better.

The numbers at Hollinwood Academy appear to increase every week. We agreed 20 extra places a couple of months ago and I believe we have already filled them! I am aware that the young people are getting fed up of the same photos being shown in the reception area. I will ensure we change them in the next few weeks, if only to stop our enterprising children ‘hacking’ into the system to stream WWE clips!! It appears our ICT lessons are teaching our young people somewhat too well…

I’ve spent some time this week working on a couple of bids that will hopefully pay dividends in the future. Our Governors have been meeting with curriculum leaders to hear about the progress our young people are making in different subject areas. I’m looking forward to seeing the reports.

I’m afraid I need to finish this week’s blog on a rather negative note. I have been made aware that a couple of parents had a disagreement at the Hollinwood/New Bridge site on Thursday evening. I would like to apologise to the small number of our young people who witnessed the row. It says a lot that a couple of the boys on our Sports Pathway intervened to try and stop it.

I’d like to remind everyone that we teach our children and young people in all our schools to treat each other with respect and dignity. The children and young people respond brilliantly to this. However, it is very difficult for my staff to reinforce appropriate behaviour when a very small number of adults act in such an inappropriate manner. We will deal with this matter very seriously. I am very conscious that the vast majority of our families are supportive and appreciative of our work and I’d like to thank them for their continued support.

Have a great weekend,

Graham