| Co-op Academy Manchester | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
Plant Hill Road , , M9 0WQ England | |
| Coordinates | 53°31′45″N 2°13′19″W / 53.529276°N 2.222028°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Co-operative academy |
| Established | 2010 |
| Local authority | Manchester |
| Specialist | Finance & Business |
| Department for Education URN | 136174 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | Christopher Beard |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Predecessor school | Plant Hill Arts College |
| Website | manchester |
Co-op Academy Manchester, formerly known as The Co-operative Academy of Manchester is a non-selective, mixed secondary school in Blackley, Manchester. It opened in September 2010 and replaced Plant Hill Arts College.
The academy is part of The Co-operative Academies Trust - a group of schools sponsored by The Co-operative Group. The values of the academy are Fairness, Ambition and Respect.
The school has a business-focused ethos, backed up by the support of its lead sponsor and features of the new building such as the open-plan flexible learning zones and the boardroom.[1] The academy's first Principal, Kathy Leaver, was appointed to transform the former Plant Hill school following her dramatic success as head of Sale High School.[2]
In July 2011 students from the Academy took part in the chorus of Victoria Wood's "That Day We Sang", part of the Manchester International Festival.[3]
In 2013 the Manchester Evening News recognised the effort of the retiring Principal Kathy Leaver, her team and parents in transforming the academy, whose results were the most improved in the city. The paper also recognised the academy's achievement in 2014 of the highest attendance rate of the city's state schools.[4][5]
Stephen Brice took up the position of Principal in April 2014.
In late 2015, the academy opened The Hive - a business and enterprise centre. The Hive, which was formerly an unused Adult Education Centre contains a number of office pods available for small businesses or start-ups to rent. In addition, The Hive is also used by Yes Manchester who help local residents into work or training.
In 2018, a new £18 million extension opened,[6] which increased the capacity of the academy and created new facilities.
In 2020, Principal Stephen Brice was appointed as Executive Headteacher for Greater Manchester, working across a number of schools in the Trust. Christopher Beard took up the role of Headteacher. Before taking on his new role, Brice created a Minecraft version of the academy to help people familiarise themselves with the building during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.[7]
Facilities
The academy's facilities includes areas for each learning zone, specialist sports, art, IT, technology, music and science facilities. The 2018 extension includes a 229-seat theatre, a climbing wall and several new teaching areas.
The school acts as a hub for the local community, and hosts the 105th Manchester St Peters Scout Group, One Education Music Service and the Blackley Volunteer Police Cadets.
Controversy
Incident at Co-op Academy Manchester
The Incident at Co-op Academy Manchester involves a video depicting a security guard allegedly pushing a student in a park. The incident, occurring after school hours, prompted an internal investigation by the school, Co-op Academy Manchester. The 14-year-old student involved was reported to be unharmed the next day. The security guard, provided by UltraSec Security, was suspended pending investigation. Both the school and UltraSec Security expressed commitment to student safety and are conducting a joint inquiry. The incident raises questions about the use of force by school security personnel.[8]
Stabbing Incident Near Co-op Academy in Blackley
On Monday morning, an 11-year-old girl was stabbed near Co-op Academy in Blackley, north Manchester. The incident occurred on Chapel Lane, resulting in a small laceration to the victim's shoulder. The injured girl was promptly taken to the hospital and later discharged. A 12-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.
Greater Manchester Police responded to a call at around 8:30 am, confirming the arrest and ongoing inquiries. A police van was observed outside the school on Plant Hill Road. The North West Ambulance Service transported the injured girl to the hospital.
The Co-op Academy issued a statement acknowledging the off-site incident, assuring that those involved are receiving care and support. Due to the ongoing police investigation, the academy refrained from providing further details. Parents were informed through a message emphasizing the swift and appropriate handling of the situation, and the school prioritized communication after ensuring the safety of all students.[9]
Cafeteria Concerns at Co-op Academy Manchester
Parents at Co-op Academy in Higher Blackley, north Manchester, express concerns that their children are missing meals due to long queues and insufficient time in the school cafeteria. Despite the school extending lunchtime to 40 minutes after consulting with parents, some students reportedly come home hungry, prompting worries about their well-being and concentration.
The school emphasizes its commitment to students' welfare, citing additional measures such as more staff availability and encouraging students to seek support. However, some parents maintain that their children face challenges in accessing lunch due to extended queues. The school reassures parents that there is always enough food, and communication channels are open to address individual concerns.
Co-op Academy Manchester underscores its dedication to food access, providing free breakfasts and supporting Free School Meal (FSM) students with food vouchers during the pandemic. The school remains committed to resolving concerns and ensuring the well-being of its students.[10]
Co-operative Academy Robbery
In a disturbing incident near Co-operative Academy in Blackley, Manchester, five pupils were robbed at gunpoint by a group of six to seven assailants aged 16 to 18. Armed with a handgun and a machete, the perpetrators, wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, targeted the students on French Barn Lane as they left school. After stealing mobile phones, the robbers physically assaulted the victims, resulting in injuries, including a split nose and the need for hospital treatment for one student.
The incident has prompted increased police patrols, and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is actively investigating. Community responses include reassurances to parents, heightened security measures around local schools, and ongoing communication between authorities and affected families. The incident, deemed unusual, underscores a commitment to address safety concerns in the area, with plans for regular meetings between ward councillors and GMP to ensure a coordinated response.[11]
School Exclusion Controversy: Demi's Case
Demi, a student at Co-operative Academy in Blackley, faced exclusion after reporting a friend's possession of a multi-tool with a knife. Despite immediate disclosure to her class teacher and praise for her actions, Demi was later pulled out of class by five teachers and permanently excluded for having a knife on school premises. Demi's mother, Lisa McNab, expressed frustration, arguing that her daughter was unfairly punished for doing the right thing—confiscating the tool from her friend, who claimed it was for self-defense. The school defended its decision, citing a zero-tolerance policy on knives and emphasizing the safety of the school community. The incident has sparked debate on school policies and the balance between safety measures and individual circumstances.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ Qureshi, Yakub (14 August 2009). "Pupils To Get Boardroom Lessons". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ↑ "Star head moves to academy". Manchester Evening News. 18 April 2010. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ↑ "Victoria Wood - That day we Sang at The Manchester International Festival - "It was joyful"". HuffPost UK. 11 July 2011.
- ↑ "A Lesson That All Parents Should Learn". Manchester Evening News. 30 August 2013. p. 8.
- ↑ Qureshi, Yakub (2 April 2014). "Veteran headteacher to retire after turning round school's fortunes". men. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- ↑ Voinea, Anca (16 July 2018). "Co-operative Academy of Manchester doubles in size following £18m extension". Co-op News.
- ↑ Roberts, John. "Exclusive: New students get a Minecraft tour of school". TES. TES. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ↑ Paul Britton Reporter (14 May 2022). "Revealed: School security guard suspended after video shows boy, 14, being knocked to the ground". Manchester Evening News.
- ↑ Damon Wilkinson & Ashlie Blakey (28 March 2022). "Revealed: School girl, 11, taken to hospital following a stabbing before school". Manchester Evening News.
- ↑ Damon Wilkinson (15 September 2022), "Revealed: My son's coming home starving: Parents say school canteen is so busy pupils have no time to eat dinner", Manchester Evening News
- ↑ Neal Keeling (26 March 2021), "Revealed: Gang of gunmen ambush pupils on their way home in terrifying attack near Manchester school", Manchester Evening News
- ↑ Charlotte Dobson (24 September 2019), "Revealed: My daughter handed in a knife to her teacher, now she could be expelled", Manchester Evening News