A Chat with our New Principal
New Principal James Eldon joined the Academy in September 2011 from another leading Manchester secondary school. Year 7 pupils asked him some questions about his first impressions of the Academy.
Our new Principal James Eldon
This is what James Eldon had to say:
Q What’s impressed you in your first days at Manchester Enterprise Academy?
Lots of things! Mainly the pupils themselves. They’ve responded really well to the changes we’ve put in place to improve their learning and to the new, simple structure of the school day. All the staff are dedicated and there’s a real understanding of how children make outstanding progress.
Q What have you noticed that is different about Manchester Enterprise Academy?
MEA is a small school and this means it is easier for us to address the different needs of our pupils. It’s clear that this is a close community and the Academy has a definite ‘family’ feel to it. We are quick to recognise any problems our students have and these are dealt with effectively.
Having such fantastic sponsors is also a new experience for me. Manchester Airport, Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and the Manchester College are all very successful and these sponsors are devoting time and energy to support our aim of guaranteeing a fantastic future for all our pupils. We are also a community partner with Manchester United F.C. which offers our pupils some amazing opportunities. It is so exciting to know I can call upon these friends to support the Academy in becoming an inspiring school.
Q What would you say to parents who might not have considered Manchester Enterprise Academy before?
A school’s reputation is often slow to improve and I am determined to make clear how far the Academy has moved forward. We are not complacent though, we know we can still do better and I believe I have a team of staff around me who will transform this institution.
Q Finally, the Academy’s specialism is Enterprise, what does this actually mean for the pupils?
To get on in the new economy pupils need brilliant qualifications – that’s why we place such value on academic success. Yet that’s not enough, we expect our young people to develop other skills so that they are able to survive in the more difficult jobs market of the future.
Leadership, creativity, good manners, how to deal with pressure and new experiences are some of the skills we seek to develop. We want to develop the entrepreneurs of the future so watch out Lord Sugar!
Manchester Enterprise Academy –
A Fantastic Future for All.
News Item September 2011