Hollingworth Academy wins regional School of the Year award

Dara OBriain, John Packer (Vice-Chair of Governors), Jenny Collins (Head of CEIAG) Vera Travis (Pastoral Support Mentor) and Jo Manfred (Skills and Participation Development Officer, RMBC) from Hollingworth Academy

Hollingworth Academy in Milnrow beat off stiff competition from other secondary schools from across the region to win School of the Year at the Greater Manchester Skills for Business awards for their work in helping secure apprenticeships for students.

Staff from Hollingworth Academy including Jenny Collins, Head of CEIAG (careers, education, information, advice and guidance) and Pastoral Support Mentor, Vera Travis, picked up the award at an awards ceremony last Thursday 3 July at The Hilton Hotel Manchester Deansgate hosted by Irish comedian and presenter of TV’s The Apprentice, You’re Fired!, Dara O Briain who compèred the event.

The school has special status as a Business and Enterprise College and of the 2013 school leavers, 6.3 per cent went on to an Apprenticeship, which is more than double the borough average.

Commenting on the award win Holllingworth Academy’s Head of CEIAG, Jenny Collins said: “We regularly have guest speakers from both the public and private sector who run workshops and give talks about apprenticeships. Hollingworth has continued to invest in work experience opportunities for students. This provides students with an exposure to the world of work which is invaluable when applying for apprenticeship opportunities. We maintain strong links with employers and businesses, which is vital in ensuring young people pursue apprenticeships, if this is the right route for them.”

Richard Nash from Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network said: “Hollingworth Academy has excelled with providing students with apprenticeship, business and employability opportunities. Past pupils have even become ambassadors to help current students through their education. This is truly a dedicated and nurturing school, which only wants the very best for their pupil’s futures. ”

In total 70 Greater Manchester organisations or individuals were shortlisted in 17 categories.

The jury panel comprised of some of the region’s most notable representatives from the learning and skills sector including Councillor Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Employment and Skills at Manchester City Council; Mike Blackburn, the chair of the Learning and Enterprise Partnership in Greater Manchester and Regional Director for BT; Rachael Beasley, FE Work Based Learning Account Manager at Pearson Work Based Learning; Paul Holme, Skills Policy Advisor at New Economy and David Teale, Chief Executive of North of England Excellence.

The awards are created through collaboration between the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMPLN), Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) and New Economy (NE).

The headline sponsor for the Greater Manchester Skills for Business Awards 2014 is Pearson Work Based Learning and other sponsors include Manchester Metropolitan University, Salford Business School and Greater Manchester Colleges Group (GMCG). Other partners include Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Apprenticeships and North of England Excellence.