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...
Well, what a week. I’m sitting at my desk at 4.45pm on a Friday still reeling from events.
To put the week in context, I have interviewed for a headteacher, attended a number of The Greatest Show performances, had a meeting with the Department for Education, delivered a keynote presentation in Torquay and, to top it all, had Ofsted in at Hawthorns School!
Let’s look at a couple of those in more detail.
Initially let me talk about the Hawthorns inspection. We have known for the last couple of years that Hawthorns is a wonderful school. The staff epitomise the values we hold dear within our trust. The children that attend receive an amazing offer. Their families really value the work that we do. Pierre and the team received a call from Ofsted on Wednesday and by Thursday evening they had gone! I’m certain Pierre will be sharing with you the grading as soon as he is able, but needless to say everyone was really pleased with the outcome. Can I thank all of the staff and governors for their amazing hard work and commitment and our central teams, who supported quietly in the background.
So, on to the show. “Ladies and gents this is the moment you’ve waited for” was the opening line of the first song and oh, have we waited.
What I saw performed (along with sell out audiences) were children and young people from every school dancing, acting, playing and singing with confidence and skill. Wherever I looked I saw smiling faces. The audience sang and clapped along and, at times, got totally caught up with the emotion in the performance. I don’t recall our schools doing anything on this scale in the past. The children and young people received a standing ovation at every performance. They absolutely deserved it. It was incredible. Last week I wrote in my blog about our core values. Each one was clearly evident in every bar of the music, in every line that was spoken and in every movement made. The value that stood out for me was inspiring. Every member of the audience went away from the performance inspired. Every member of staff went away inspired. Every child went away inspired. I loved it. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the staff and volunteers who made it possible.
When the sharpest words wanna cut me down
I’m gonna send a flood, gonna drown them out
I am brave, I am bruised
I am who I’m meant to be, this is me
Look out ’cause here I come
And I’m marching on to the beat I drum
I’m not scared to be seen
I make no apologies, this is me
Please don’t forget it’s a Bank Holiday weekend. Have a great one,
Graham
You can find all Graham’s previous blog entries here
Location
New Bridge Multi Academy Trust
Roman Road
Hollinwood
Oldham
OL8 3PH
School Hours
Weekends: Closed
Phone & Email
0161 870 9386
info@newbridgegroup.org