Milestone Ceremony

Students and staff gathered at Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) this week to take part in a ceremony marking the building progress of the new Academy.

MEA opened last September in the former Parklands High School building, but will move to brand new purpose built premises currently under construction on the same site on Simonsway in Wythenshawe in September of this year.

Building work is well underway at the site of the new £19m Academy which is one of seven across the city and one of the first to open in new buildings.

It will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students from 2010.

Sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College,
MEA will be a totally new way of educating young people to meet the learning needs of the city’s businesses.

Marie Quayle, Principal of MEA says: “Staff and students alike are tremendously excited and counting the days until we can move into our fabulous new building. It will have the facilities and technology to allow us to ensure each student reaches their full potential.”

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, says: “The project takes a new and exciting step as we continue the transformation of the facilities at the Enterprise Academy. With the students moving in to the new building in September, there is still work to be done but all the partners are committed to ensuring that the future is bright for all of its students of all ages.”

The Academy will differ from existing schools in that sponsors will work alongside teachers to design learning and assessment materials. All students will have personal mentors as well as round the clock access to materials and support to encourage ‘anytime, anywhere learning.’

The site will be open from 7am to 10pm and will become a hub for the community giving parents/carers, families and the whole community the opportunity to benefit from the facilities.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council’s Executive Member for Children’s Services, says: “MEA is a new and exciting place to learn and will help ensure that our children and young people gain the skills and qualifications demanded by employers. The new building will offer an inspiring environment for both staff and students and will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of Wythenshawe as a whole.”