Last week a group of our students took part in the very first ten-pin bowling competition as part of a new partnership between Co-op Academies Trust and Panathlon.

Panathlon is a national charity which gives young people with disabilities and special educational needs every year the opportunity to take part in competitive sport. This maiden Manchester competition is just the beginning for what Panathlon will provide for SEND students in our academies with more opportunities to come. Our Trust wants to offer competitive sports opportunities for everybody, particularly those who need them most. It’s about removing barriers and providing chances for children to fall in love with sport and competition.

Along with four other Co-op Academies Trust schools, our Co-op Academy Swinton team performed fantastically well and enjoyed the experience immensely. Our students were accompanied by Assistant Headteacher, Mr Stanley, who commented:

I came here with a certain amount of guilt at leaving staff behind, but when you’re here looking at the children’s faces, you realise this is really important and any sense of guilty disappears. From a social and wellbeing point of view, this is having a really deep impact. It will make them feel a much more significant part of our community because they are representing the academy. I really hope this is something that will grow and develop even more. 

Congratulations to our Swinton Team who excelled themselves with their determination, enthusiasm and exceptional behaviour representing our academy. Congratulations also to Co-op Academy Failsworth who were crowned champions!

Huge congratulations to Year 11 student Michael Ball who has been selected by Manchester United Foundation‘s ‘Community Street Red’s Team’ to be their Youth Voice Representative.

Michael will join other young people from across the Street Reds projects, taking part in a range of different events and activities alongside the usual Street Reds sessions.

The ‘Street Reds‘ Project from Manchester United Foundation offers free football sessions and alternative activities for young people aged 8-18, with the opportunity to learn new skills and gain qualifications in a supportive and positive environment.

This appointment is all down to Michael’s hard work and continued dedication to Street Reds. Well done Michael, we are really proud!

Yesterday a group of our Year 10 and 11 students attended a ‘Give it a Go’ Joinery Workshop at the Growth Company in Salford, organised through our Manchester United Foundation partnership.

The boys had the opportunity to make their own double mortise and tenon joint, gaining skills using a wide range of tools.

During the day the tutors at the Growth Company, guided our students through their make, teaching them step by step. They also encouraged them to have independence when making decisions about their product and which tools and methods to use.

Our students received praised on how proactive, well behaved and engaging they were throughout the day and we couldn’t be more proud of their achievements.

Manchester Foundation Hub Officer, Adele Howarth, stated;

I had a really productive and enjoyable day with the boys. They learnt a lot, got stuck in and most importantly worked well as a team helping each other throughout the process of making their wooden objects. They were a credit to the academy and I will look forward to organising further trips in the future for them. Well done boys!

Are you in Year 10 or 11 and interested in courses in the Creative Industry? Take a look at Access Creative College‘s Open Day set to take place on 26 November 2022.

They are holding their final Open Day of 2022 on Saturday 26 November from 10am.

The day is perfect for any students interested in finding out more about Creative College courses or jobs within the Creative Industries. It is a good opportunity to view both of their Manchester campuses, and to talk to Course Leaders about the different courses that they are running.

Courses on offer are:

• Music Performance
• Vocal Artist
• Artist Development
• Music Tech
• Access to HE Music Production 
• Event Production
• Games Development
• Games Art
• Games Tech
• Videography, Photography and Design
• Film, Videography and Photography
• Graphic and Digital Design
• T-Level Software Development

The following year they will be introducing courses in:

• Animation and VFX
• Esports Management
• Computing

Find out more and book your place here: https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk/open-events/