This week has been a week of team work, reflection and inspiration!

On Wednesday, the three sites of New Bridge School took part in a ‘Peer to Peer Review’, where members of our senior and executive teams from across the Trust split off into teams of 5 or 6 to offer a positive enquiry to our curriculum. The aim of the morning was for professionals who aren’t usually based within our building, to see what we do and to feed back on our successes.

I was thrilled that this fell on a Wednesday, as each Wednesday all of our employment pathways and our Future Finders students are out on placement. I led a team around Medtia and we also visited a number of our work placements including The Clean Plate Kitchen, The Atrium and David Lloyd Gym. To say that the group were overwhelmed by what we do would be the understatement of the year. It was quite overwhelming for me as the leader of this campus to hear such incredible feedback. I felt incredibly proud of all of our staff and students but what impacted me the most was the feedback from employers – it really showed what impact we were having on the hearts and minds of the general public. Comments included:

‘Our members love the students from New Bridge, they look out for them, ask to be served by them and see the difference in them over time, we just love having them here’ – David Lloyd Gym

‘I have trained with the RAF, worked with the forces, worked in huge catering kitchens but have never loved a job as much as this one, because I enjoy working with the students so much’ – The Atrium Café

‘We love having students on placement from New Bridge, they are such a huge help and our customers come back daily asking to see them’ – The Clean Plate Kitchen

I have mentioned this before, but when I went over to Cincinnatti 10 years ago to see Project Search, I was overwhelmed by a town where people with disabilities and additional needs were fully immersed into every part of society. They were treated as equals, and this is something that has been a huge shift in Oldham over the past few years because of the amazing work that we do as a trust. So yes, I did shed a tear, because I got to show off and celebrate what we take for granted. We are world class, we are innovative and we are making a difference.

To summarise, the team of professionals came up with the following statement:

The curriculum at Medtia can be characterised as:

• Inspirational
• Aspirational
• Personalised
• Destination Focused
• Influential
• Life Changing
• Rigorous
• Collaborative
• Holistic
• Empowering
• Ever-Evolving

I think that sums up what we do perfectly!

This week has been a busy week at Future Finders with lots going on. The week started with some students taking their English Functional Skills reading and writing exams.

During our Employability lesson this week, the students have completed their pay and payslips unit, their portfolio updates and then spent time job searching with support from job coaches and also their peers..

Action Together came into Medtia and gave a presentation to the students about who they are and what they offer. Action Together help support people and provide opportunities to be aware of what is going on within the local community. Action Together also encourage local people, businesses and the public sector to give time, skills and resources supporting lots of different causes. The focus of the presentation was to offer ideas and opportunities to volunteer within the local community and how to access these.

Next Thursday Future Finders will be attending an interactive employer event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and letters will be sent home on Monday with more information.

Now I will pass you over to Colette and her ‘day in the life’ at First Choice Homes..

Colette is really enjoying her placement at First Choice Homes..

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Over the last few weeks Colette has been learning how to deal with different scenarios in customer service and how to respond professionally.  Colette has received really positive feedback from the staff at First Choice Homes, here are a few of the comments:

Colette is always professional when she is on reception, she is able to advise customers on where they need to go when they enter First Choice Homes.

Colette is always polite to everyone in the building, we can see the confidence that Colette has grown in the weeks that she has been here.

We can’t wait to see how she progresses in the next few weeks!

Now on to today and more team work! Maria, our work placement co-ordinator, has been working with Julie from First Choice Homes to create our first ever Careers Carousel. Students from across the Trust have visited First Choice Homes today and have participated in a number of short workshops to learn about the roles within their business. From tiling to planning the construction of new homes, it has been an amazing day of collaborative working and careers education. A huge thank you to Maria and Julie and to all of the professionals that gave up their time today! It was just brilliant!

What a week! I hope that you all have an enjoyable weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Daniel
Head of College

You can view our previous blog entries here

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