I hope you have all had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend. Another busy week here as the countdown says we are 109 days from students starting with us.

This week we were able to post out our welcome packs and I know many people have already received them, we even have a set of returned forms. Producing these was a great experience as we were able to get down on paper our plans for the students and the opportunities we can offer. On Thursday at 4:00pm I will do a Facebook Live event where you can ask me any questions you like about the new Academy.

Talking of opportunities, I spoke to Debate Mate today who provide university students to mentor and teach students to debate, this can be a great opportunity for our students to gain confidence. We will have up to 72 spaces on the programme for students of all ability levels. Our sister school, Shireland Collegiate Academy has been regional champions for the past two years and we will look forward to our first contests.

Elsewhere we have appointed three more teaching staff this week and now have a full complement of Literacy for Life teachers and a Languages teacher. Next week we have interviews for Art and PE. We are shortlisting for our office manager and receptionist jobs, applications for site manager close on Monday and we are about to advertise for Learning Support roles.

We have completed feedback on our signage for the Academy, had confirmation that Ofsted have all our documentation, started to work on purchasing ICT devices for staff and students, we are getting ready our furniture order, replying to planning conditions and ticking more items off the plan.

I’ll be onsite next week with another buildings update and suddenly the half term will be over.

I wish you all a good weekend.

George Faux

Principal