In July 2022 pupils got their head in the game and performed two knockout performances of High School Musical JNR.

In this adaption from the 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical our very own North Manchester Wildcats performed songs including ‘Get’Cha Head in the Game’ ‘Stick to the Status Quo’ and ‘We’re All in This Together’.

The performance included a large cast of pupils from all year groups, as well as behind the scenes supporters made up of staff and pupils who contributed to the set & costume designs.

Academy Principal, Ms Hands was proud to support the show, saying that “At Co-op Academy North Manchester we have the highest aspirations and expectations so that everyone achieves excellence in all that they do. The performing arts have an important role in our broad and balanced curriculum and these kinds of experiences will stay with our pupils for a lifetime. It was a pleasure to watch the performances and welcome the whole community to our academy to enjoy this show.”

Miss Siddiqui, Teacher of Performing Arts said: “Teaching the value of the theatre was paramount throughout the crafting of the show. Challenging pupils in this artistic venture rewarded their courage and enabled the participants to decompress and be free to be themselves. As the show gained momentum, everyone put in hard work and dedicated themselves to this opportunity. I am awestruck by their accomplishments and was proud to share this with the community.”

National School Sports Week is a campaign put in place every year to celebrate the importance of Physical Education and school sports in enhancing young people’s wellbeing. 
 
Here at Co-op Academy North Manchester we offer a wide range of sporting activities within PE lessons. Sports week gave our pupils a chance to try new sports and activities which are not featured on our curriculum.

Pupils participated as a year group in either a competitive or non-competitive activity throughout the week.

The activities included:

• Boccia
• Kinball
• Uni-Hoc
• Rock Climbing
• America Football
• Team Building on the trim trail
• Golf
• Skateboarding
• Benchball
• Rounders
• Cricket
• Football
• Ultimate Frisbee

Mrs Watkins, Head of PE said: “We’re always encouraging our pupils to get up and active. Alongside the varied Physical Education curriculum we offer many extra-curricular clubs that encourage physical activity.

“National Schools Sports Week is a fantastic opportunity get everyone involved and try something new. The week was a huge success and it was great to see our pupils joining in both competitive and non-competitive activities”

During British Science week a selection of pupils from Years 8 and 9 were selected to attend some hands-on EPIC Engineers STEM workshops.

Pupils were presented with engineering challenges that encouraged them to explore the essential skills that are needed to be successful in a STEM career through a series of design and build challenges.

Year 8 pupils took on the Tunnel building task, where they needed design, construct and test a supporting structure using paper straws. Year 9 pupils explored the physics of flight through concepts such as aerodynamics and forces. They designed and constructed Straw Gliders and got to see how far they could travel in the air.

Year 11 GCSE Geography pupils took a trip to Salford Quays to complete their fieldwork.

The pupils explored the local area and gained an understanding of how successful the regeneration of Salford Quays has been. They completed their research across the Quays including The Lowry Theatre, Detroit Bridge, The Imperial War Museum and Media City. Pupils spent time exploring each site and photographing each landscape and taking notes regarding its characteristics.

The aim of the trip was to answer one key question; Has regeneration improved environmental quality and leisure opportunities?

It was a fantastic day, pupils really enjoyed visiting the sites whilst learning more about the history and development of Salford Quays. Here is what some of the pupils had to say about the experience.

‘By going on the trip I learnt more about the opportunities created due to regeneration in more detail. A memorable moment from the trip was watching the canals from the bridge.’

Amna, Year 11 pupil

‘I liked visiting all the sites, but seeing Media City I really liked, and the pictures I took. I learnt how to carry out an environmental quality survey’.

Josh, Year 11 Pupil

On Thursday 31st March, 150 pupils across years 7, 8 and 9 attended the ‘How to revise’ evening’. Pupils learnt how to revise effectively and focused on effective study strategies and techniques which can be applied to all subjects.

The event provided pupils with advice, confidence, resources and the ability to positively contribute and raise the standards of their revision skills.

‘I had no idea how to revise before today. The strategies will really help me to revise and do well in all my subjects’.

Year 7 Pupil

‘I thought revising was so complicated, but I now know if I work hard and use the right strategies I can do well’. 

Year 9 Pupil

The pupils demonstrated a tremendous commitment to their learning and they worked incredibly hard throughout the event. Here at the academy, we offer a diverse curriculum and we are committed to ensuring pupils have the highest aspirations and expectations of themselves. We were thrilled to see so many of pupils in attendance.

We’ve had a busy term, with lots going on around our Academy.

Our newsletter gives you a glimpse of our Pupils’ contributions to the school and the wider community.