CEO Blog - Destinations Champions I can't quite believe that we've made it to December already, but here we are, and the countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway! This week, I would like to point you all in the direction of our newest New Bridge...
Gallery
Our gallery shows a selection of photographs from across our Academy.
CEO Blog – 24.11.23
CEO Blog - 24.11.23 Happy Friday, everyone. I'm keeping it brief this week, but I wanted to give you an update on what's been going on behind the scenes at New Bridge... I met with the Directors at New Bridge Horizons, talking about the exciting partnerships we build...
CEO Blog – 17.11.23
CEO Blog - 17.11.23 This week has been another busy week for all of us at New Bridge, and I'm proud of our staff teams for pulling together and continuing to offer our students and young people the very best, even when it's already dark by the time most of them are...
CEO Blog – 10.11.23
CEO Blog - 10.11.23 This week, it has been good to see each of our sites commemorating Remembrance Day in their own way. The creativity and thought that our staff have put into these 'Remembrance' themed activities is brilliant, and testament to their ingenuity. It...
CEO Blog (3.11.23) – Welcome Back
CEO Blog (3.11.23) - Welcome Back To everyone who has just had half term, I want to say, 'welcome back', and that I hope you had the opportunity to spend some quality time with friends and family over the break. This first term is usually the toughest, and the October...
Latest update re Covid-19
Dear all,
I felt it was important to give you an update following a number of articles/speeches and messages published in the media over the weekend.
At the end of last week, based on all the available information, our schools had a very clear strategy. Colleagues contacted you regarding the options you had. It centred upon our virtual model (for the majority of children and young people) and a school-based offer for other children that fell into certain groups. It now appears that the Government’s message has changed!
Last night Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said schools would now only open for the few, not the many. He stated,
- “If your work is not critical in the response to Coronavirus then please keep your child at home.”
- “We will be closely monitoring what is happening in schools and will ensure they get the support they need in the weeks and months ahead.”
This links very closely with the Prime Minister’s messages over the weekend where he stated on numerous occasions that all people should self-isolate and practise social distancing.
Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary continued by stating,
- “The NHS is doing everything it can and preparing for the spread of this virus. If people go within two metres of others who they don’t live with then they’re helping to spread the virus – and the consequences of that costs lives and it means that, for everyone, this will go on for longer.”
The Health Secretary said the government advice on social distancing was “really clear” and people should stay two metres apart, staying at home if at all possible.
Over the weekend I received further information stating that special schools were advised to make further risk assessments on a case by case basis, identifying children whose parents are “critical workers” and a very, very small number that are deemed as “vulnerable”. As a result of this advice, our schools have again audited the children and are now only offering (in school) places to these children. You may have had a conversation today about keeping your child at home.
For the very small numbers of children that have been identified, they will now move to our hub schools. We will be in a position to better regulate the cleaning and health and safety requirements in these buildings. In Oldham our hub will be at New Bridge School (Roman Road site) and in Tameside, at Hawthorns School. All our other sites will now close. So, to be clear, Hollinwood Academy, Spring Brook Lower, Spring Brook Upper, New Bridge Learning Centre, Medtia Square and the Springboard Project will all close at 5.00pm today. Horizons will stay closed.
All our schools are continuing to work on our virtual offer – they will keep you updated as to any developments in the next few days.
I have also been asked to tell you about our position relating to children who are entitled to free school meals. Tesco vouchers have been posted to all your home addresses. We will review these arrangements on a fortnightly basis. I have also been asked to inform you that there is “scam” going around at present. Some people are contacting you by either phone, text or email asking for your bank details to transfer credits into your account in respect of free school meals. Please DO NOT give your bank details. This is a scam. Our schools will never ask for those details.
I’ll do my best to try and make sense of the, at times, muddled messages. We are reviewing all arrangements on a daily basis. I’ll continue to post so that you are well informed. I wrote last week about our guiding principle. This hasn’t changed – our decisions will be based on keeping our children, young people and staff safe through this unprecedented time.
Keep safe,
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