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...
Quite a short blog this week as I’ve spent all week going back to my roots!
Last Monday morning I was settling down and anticipating (dreading) another day of Zoom, Teams and online meetings, when my phone pinged.
It was from the team at New Bridge School who were informing me that most of the leadership team and pretty much all the Pastoral team had been in contact with a positive case.
In line with protocol, and our risk assessments, all of these colleagues would need to go home to self isolate for 10 days.
So to cut a long story short, 45 minutes later and after an uneventful motorway journey, I’m sat in my old office on the Roman Road site.
It’s been 3 years since I spent a concerted period at the school and the week really highlighted to me how disruptive this virus continues to be.
During the week I observed the young people and staff following the guidelines brilliantly. All adhered to mask wearing and strictly followed movement and circulation protocols. Yet we still lost 3 bubbles!
What appears relevant is the increasing testing, through the lateral flow home tests, is picking up positive tests much earlier than in the previous “back in school” period.
You’ll remember that in the previous “all school open” phase the only testing system was the externally booked PCR tests. It seems an age ago when we were complaining about having to wait 3/4 days and travel huge distances just to get a test!
Now the testing is pretty much instantaneous!
When any school receives an initial positive test a rigorous process kicks into place. Firstly the school teams have to “trace” all contacts and request that they go home to self isolate. This involves checking timetables, checking transport arrangements, speaking to everyone and culminates in phone calls home. In a site where there are around 350 children this, in itself, is a monumental task.
We then await the more reliable PCR test and advise everyone what the next steps are!
What we are absolutely noticing is that the lateral flow test is picking up individuals that are non symptomatic. So staff and/or children that have no symptoms – a cough, high temperature, loss of taste and smell etc. but have contracted the virus are now being identified. Interestingly, in our experience, the lateral flow tests are also appearing very accurate.
In one way it is good news in that the system appears to be cutting down transmissions by early identification but from an “operating school’s perspective” it is still highly disruptive.
I know many children will now not return until after the Easter vacation. It’s another long period at home.
So as I said in a blog a few months ago, we are far from being back to normal. The scientists and politicians continue to advise us that the way out of this pandemic is through the vaccination programme. I continue to urge everyone, if you are eligible, to have the jab. If you are reluctant or have reservations, drop me an email and I’ll put you in contact with our medical colleagues.
I’m still really confident that by greater knowledge and improved immunity our community will defeat the virus. Let’s really hope it doesn’t take too much longer.
Take care, stay safe.
Graham
You can find all Graham’s previous updates and 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