I know we work at a pace within our Group but this week has surpassed even our most hectic period!

Our staff and young people finally moved into Medtia Square on Monday after our team worked tirelessly over the weekend to finish getting the building ready. It’s fantastic and the young people absolutely love it!

Last week we were asked to develop a bid to support another school. Fifty thousand words later and the application was duly couriered down to the Department for Education in London. A number of key staff were involved but Jenny Dunne and Rita Righini from our Group deserve a particular mention as they have worked on the bid late into the night and all over the weekend – thank you both.

On Monday evening I jumped on a train to Telford as I had been asked to present at the annual National Autistic Society’s National Conference. It was wonderful to celebrate the work we are involved with in Oldham and also allowed me to reflect on how far we have come as an organisation. We are hopeful of a more formal link with the NAS in the coming months.

On Wednesday, we welcomed families to our popular coffee mornings. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to meet you all but I’ve seen all of the wonderful messages and photographs on Facebook.

Thursday saw the week’s excitement continue when we received an email from the National College of Teaching telling us that we have achieved the status of a Teaching School and National Support School! This will be fantastic for our Group as we will be able to further develop our training for all our staff and stakeholders (and others across the region) from a more robust financial and strategic position.

To cap it all, we have woken up today to snow! Of course, many of our children and young people have been unable to travel in safely and will be enjoying the weather at home but we have managed to open as normal and there is plenty going on for those who are here.

So in short, a new building, a huge bid, annual conferences, national recognition and a piece of coffee cake – I love working at New Bridge!

Have a great weekend,

Graham