Co-op Academy Manchester

Co-op Academy Manchester
File:Co-op Academy Manchester logo.jpg
Address
Plant Hill Road Blackley , Manchester , M9 0WQ England
Coordinates	53°31′45″N 2°13′19″W
Information
Type	Co-operative academy
Established	2010
Local authority	Manchester
Specialist	Finance & Business
Department for Education URN	136174 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Headteacher	Stephen Brice
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Predecessor school.	Plant Hill Arts College
Website	http://www.cam.coop

Co-op Academy Manchester, also 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. The academy's first Principal, Mrs Kathy Leaver, was appointed to transform the former Plant Hill school following her dramatic success as head of Sale High School.

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.

In August 2011, the first students of the class have achieved an impressive set of GCSE exam results. 74% of students at the school achieved at least five GCSEs and 43% achieved good grades in Maths and English. The school delivers a rich and varied curriculum in an innovative learning environment. Based on a business model, the school is focused on not only pushing students to fulfil their academic potential but also preparing them for the world of work. This means that lessons take place in open plan Flexible Learning Zones which allows different styles of activities to take place so that every student is engaged in learning. The school is intent on mirroring the world of work and works to the traditional expectations of fairness, ambition and respect. Based on the success of the first full year it seems that the future is bright for the school and the students.

In 2013 the Manchester Evening News recognised the effort of the retiring Principal, Mrs 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.

New Principal Mr Stephen Brice took up his position 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 major new £18 million extension opened which increased the capacity of the academy and created new facilities.

Facilities

The Co-operative Academy of Manchester

The academy's facilities includes 5 large flexible learning zones, specialist sports, art, IT, technology, music and science facilities, and a hair salon where members of the community can have their hair cut by students. The 2018 extension includes a 229 seat theatre, a climbing wall plus 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.

See also

• List of schools in Manchester