As our school community grows we are going to be introducing you to some of our new faces!

What attracted you to this role for the new school?

It’s a great opportunity to support the local community and promote the Co-op values to a wider audience. I strongly believe that a good education should be available to everyone and to be able to help support that offering in a brand new school is a major incentive.

What is your current role in Co-op/professionally and what does that entail?

I’m a solicitor in the in-house Co-op Group Legal Department. We act on behalf of all the Co-op Group businesses and work with our colleagues to deliver the commercial aims of the businesses by providing strategic legal advice. We often advise on risk and we deliver this in a way which is in keeping with our Co-op values.

What are you looking forward to the most about being a Governor?

Successfully completing the first academic year so we can take stock of the achievements of the school and assess how to maintain that momentum moving forward.

What is an interesting fact about yourself?

I managed to complete the 3 peaks challenge in under 23 hours (although the muscle pain the following day is a permanent reminder to never do it again!).

We are so excited to welcome Helen Carroll to the Belle Vue team! Helen is Head of Community Strategy and Engagement at our sponsor, Co-op and was previously Vice-Chair at Co-op Academy North Manchester.

We asked a few questions so that you can get to know her better!

What do school governors do? 

School governors make sure there are high aspirations for the all the pupils and that they are achieving the best possible outcomes. Governors work with the school to both challenge and champion and need to be naturally inquisitive and have the ability to question and analyse, and a willingness to learn. A Governing body is at its best when it brings many different perspectives, experience and expertise together to all focusing on making the school the best it can be.

What attracted you to this role for the new school? 

I was previously the Vice-Chair of Co-op Academy North Manchester and immensely enjoyed my time as I was part of the journey that saw the academy move to a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating. I also have 12 year old twins who both attend the Co-op Academy of Walkden so I have got to see the positive impact of the Co-op Academies Trust both through the role of a governor and as a parent. The Co-op Academy Belle Vue is such a fantastic opportunity for us to build a Co-op school from the ground up and embed our Co-op values, the views and needs of the wider community and our experience from the wider trust. That is a journey I really wanted to be part of.

What is your current role in Co-op and what does that entail?

My current role at the Co-op is Head of Community Strategy and Engagement and that involves setting the plan for how the business can make a meaningful difference in communities through the issues that we tackle and the engagement of our colleagues, members and community causes. We are committed to making things fairer for people within and across communities and to do this we focus on 3 key missions to provide fair access to food, mental wellbeing support and education and employment for young people. It’s a hugely rewarding role and it’s great to be able to work together with our communities to make things fairer for all.

What are you looking forward to the most? 

I am most looking forward to working with the community to make sure that the school becomes a true community hub, providing an inspiring and enjoyable education, alongside providing vital community resources and facilities. I believe that a school is at the heart of a community and it’s not often that we get to come together to build one that can truly meet all its needs.

What is an interesting fact about yourself? 

I once starred in a Weetabix advert where myself and my hubby had to taste different toppings on our Weetabix every day for a week. We didn’t tell anyone that we had done the ad and when we appeared in the middle of X-Factor our phones went wild. Top tip: Nuts and yoghurt are awful on Weetabix!

We are very excited to share the proposed designs for our future home on Hyde Road.

This week Mr Barker met with the architects and Manchester Council to have a first look at what our new school could look like.

“It was very exciting to see some images of what our new school will look like in the planning meeting. Our first year of students are lucky they will get not one, but two brand new buildings in as many years.

I am certain that it will be a central part of the local area. The new school will have plenty to offer not only our pupils but the community as a whole. We are looking forward to sharing more videos and images with you as we get them from the design team.”

We invited Year 6 pupils from our local primary schools to help us design our first ever Christmas card and win a special treat!

We had some amazing entries, and we are very happy to announce our winner and runners-up…

The winner is Maira from Stanley Grove!

Our Runners-up are…

We’re excited to announce that our new Head of School is Benjamin Barker.

Previously Vice Principal at King’s Warrington, we are looking forward to welcoming him to Co-op Academies Trust in January 2021.

A message from our new Head of School, Mr Barker-

I am incredibly excited to join the Co-op Academies Trust as Belle Vue’s Head of School.

Having been part of an incredibly successful startup free school in the North West, I have seen first hand what great outcomes can be achieved when a school, it’s staff, students, and the local community work together to help raise the leaders of tomorrow.

My vision is to inspire a new generation of high achieving, aspirational, skilled, and confident young people who fully understand and appreciate how a co-operative approach will prepare and enable them to play their part in the changing global society.

I am a firm believer that all students can achieve highly, no matter what their circumstances. As a school, we will lay the academic and moral foundations for pupils go on to future successes and to make positive contributions to their community. Helping them to shape their own futures and positively impact their lives and the lives of those around them.

I am looking forward to joining the trust in January and welcoming our class of 2026 in September.

“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela