CEO's Blog - 24th March 2023 Our Organisation... The weeks are flying by and we're nearly at the end of the Spring term, so here's a snapshot of life at every one of our schools and settings. We're growing all the time, but our offer remains the best in special...
Gallery
Our gallery shows a selection of photographs from across our Academy.
CEO’s Blog – 17th March 2023 – ‘Thank You!’
CEO's Blog - 17th March 2023 'Thank You!' Well, if you've been following the updates on social media this week, you might just have noticed that almost 100 of our young people have been lucky enough to travel to Disneyland Paris. A trip that started on Monday...
CEO’s Blog (10th March 2023)
CEO's Blog (10th March 2023) It was International Women's Day this week, and it was great to see our schools and settings marking the occasion with their activities and learning opportunities. Of course, we shouldn't only celebrate our women and girls for just...
We are looking for our next CEO…
We are looking for our next CEO... It's probably been the worst kept secret for a while, but I'm writing my blog this week to let everyone know that we are actively looking for the next CEO of the New Bridge Multi Academy Group and MAT. After many years working as...
CEO’s Blog – Student Voice (24th February 2023)
CEO's Blog - Student Voice (24th February 2023) A few weeks ago, before the half term break, I said I would be reporting on how we listen to the Student Voice across our MAT and wider Group. Well, this week, I'm able to do just that, as some of our schools and...
I’d like to start my blog this week with a massive ‘Congratulations!!’ to all our young people who received awards at the New Bridge Year 11 and Year 14 Record of Achievement ceremonies. This time of year is always incredibly busy but also very rewarding. Almost every day we have the opportunity to share and celebrate the remarkable progress our young people have made.
On Wednesday I was invited down to London to participate in an ‘Educating Britain’ summit. I was delighted to not only represent our Group but also Oldham. Discussions were had with Nicky Morgan, Secretary of State, regarding the national variance in relation to standards. She reiterated the position that more work needs to be done across the country on what she described as ‘character education.’ The work we have been undertaking on our New Bridge Route Planner feeds directly into this agenda. She also restated the government’s determination to introduce a National Funding Formula which we will continue to monitor closely.
It was also interesting to hear Tim Coulson, Regional Schools’ Commissioner, outline the plans for Multi Academy Trusts (MATs). There are now 973 MATs across 8 regions and the majority of them work with 1-3 schools. He talked about ‘an expectation’ that by 2022:
- every school will be a giver and receiver of support
- more MATs will contribute to a peer to peer review process
- MATs will continue to sponsor schools and work more closely together
- governance of these MATs will be world class
- the performance gap for children and young people will continue to narrow to be the smallest it has ever been
Neil Carberry, Director for Employment and Skills at the CBI, discussed at length the challenges relating to schools and employers working more closely together. I have invited him to Oldham to see some of the stunning work that happens across our Group at all our schools, the Learning Centre, Future Finders, New Bridge Horizons and of course Bridging the Gap.
The afternoon consisted of an emphasis on digital learning. I have hopefully made a new contact with another participant from Fujitsu who was particularly interested in our Digit4ll Pathway. Colleagues from across the UK also discussed the significant variance of approaches to educating children across Great Britain. It was fascinating to hear about the real differences in approach in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
As our Group grows it is important that we not only keep an eye on the national agenda but also ensure we always reflect on how the myriad of changes affect Oldham families and children. At least we are one of the few organisations that are round the table ensuring that our children’s voices are heard.
Overall, it was a day well spent – even if I did end up missing the Wales game!
Have a great weekend,
Graham
Location
New Bridge Multi Academy Trust
Roman Road
Hollinwood
Oldham
OL8 3PH
School Hours
Weekends: Closed
Phone & Email
0161 870 9386
info@newbridgegroup.org