Schools Minister Derek Twigg opens the Bridge Academy

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Centre offers support for young people with emotional and educational needs

Schools Minister Derek Twigg saw how young people with a range of emotional and educational needs are being given a better chance to succeed thanks to the creation of the Bridge Academy, in Fulham.

He was joined by celebrity chef Michael Moore, who helped pupils to prepare canapés for Mr Twigg and other guests at the official opening of the Bridge Academy last Tuesday, 15 March.

The Schools Minister toured the state-of-the-art facilities at the new centre, in Finlay Street, met pupils and staff and unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion.

The Bridge Academy was established with £507,500 of government funding and £200,000 from the council’s own capital programme. Its aims are:
· To develop pupils’ educational and personal potential in a stimulating and supportive learning environment
· To prepare pupils for successful reintegration into mainstream school, further education, training or employment
· To develop pupils’ personal integrity, self-esteem and citizenship
· To identify and change aspects of their behaviour which have contributed to the difficulties they experienced in school
· To provide expertise and support to mainstream schools in the borough.

Derek Twigg said: “The Bridge Academy is doing some excellent work, integrating young people back into mainstream education. I am particularly impressed with the academy’s state-of-the-art facilities and the way it is using technology to make teaching more fun and engaging.”

Seamus Oates, previously director of the Kingwood City Learning Centre, in Fulham, has been appointed headteacher of the Bridge Academy.

Mr Oates said: “The Bridge Academy provides a high quality learning environment for young people, with new technology underpinning our teaching. We are working to ensure the Bridge Academy fulfils our expectations of enabling young people to improve their attainment and motivation and succeed in their education and future training or employment.”

Rebecca Page, art co-ordinator at the Bridge Academy, said: “Since we moved to our more spacious and better-equipped art room, the students are happier and we have a record number who are entered for GCSE this year.”

Cllr David Williams, deputy for education, said: “The Bridge Academy is providing hi-tech facilities coupled with excellent individual and pastoral support to give young people who have so far found schooling difficult the best chance to get on with their education and progress into further education and training or a job. The management team draws on a range of expertise from business to youth work. The establishment of a Children’s Trust in the borough also means that we can work with a range of care and health professionals to develop our practice and skills.”

March 20, 2005