Happy Friday, everyone

I hope you have all had a good week and are settled back into the routine of school life. 

I have a few updates this week, starting with paying huge congratulations to everyone at Samuel Laycock and key members of the central team on achieving the status of being an Apple Distinguished School.

Samuel Laycock joins New Bridge School and Hollinwood Academy in that bracket, another example of how well our MAT uses technology to support learners.

Elsewhere, we were so excited to welcome students to Heywood Academy for the first time. This is such an exciting step for the school and the students, who were delighted to be together in the brand new environment. 

I am also pleased to share that Hawthorns has been shortlisted for the Education Estates Awards, where they have been nominated in the Project of the Year - Inclusive Design category.

Finally for updates, it was fabulous to be at Samuel Laycock today as the Baton of Hope team visited. It was a moving event and the school choir gave a real positive energy.