Here are some more photos from the visit to Brixham, although they can hardly do justice to the wonderful things we saw and heard about during the tour of the school. A remarkable experience!
Its Wednesday evening and I am travelling back to Manchester after one of the most interesting and important event I can remeber in a long time.
Tired but satisfied would sum it all up! Also typing with two thumbs on a BlackBerry sans spell check, I hope you will forgive any errors that may creep in?
For me there were two main objectives and both have been fully surpassed.
First, Brother has many important customers for wide ranging products within education at all levels. Our “At your side” strap line is a commitment we strive to deliver and we need genuine understanding to meet that commitment and improve. The FV tour has given us a serious opportunity to see, hear, and feel the fantastic work that all the schools we have visited are achieving. We know also know something of the serious challanges that have to be overcome. I can not really express how useful this is to us in developing our current and future relationships.
Second, Brother as a company are totally committed to Corporate Social responsibility. It falls under my responsibility to deliver against our corporate objectives. We do this by our engagement with the community at large, in particular by voluntary work, for example I am also a director of Greater Manchester’s AGMA Commission for Economic Development, Employment and Skills and also, The Tame Valley Regeneration Consortium. I have accepted a nomination to join the selection board for Tameside’s Technical college. Part of what I have to deliver in these roles is support into education, particularly the skills agenda. Thanks to my own education through the excellent events of the last three days and the conversations with people I met and advice received I am now better prepared, in the sense that I know I have a huge amount to learn and am inspired to do so.
I have also learned one can mix business with pleasure.
Best Regards
Mike Dinsdale
Communications Director
Brother UK Ltd.
The final leg & a most deserving winner of the award with a very full and diverse range of courses enabling both students & their community to participate -
Visual arts being the speciality we expected and got an excellent example of the progress here
This International Learning Centre - a title offered by the head , is now applying for Trust Status which would give another opportunity to progress .
A fitting end to an excellent and diverse tour of 6 very different Community Schools/Colleges
SJH
I’ve seen some great things during this tour, but the way that Brixham has involved the community totally is the most impressive I have seen! Really inspirational.
Brixham College - talk about keeping the best until last. What a
fantastic place - truly inspirational. Thank you
Thank you to the Portland community for you warm hospitality and generosity. The schools are clearly at the heart of the community and doing a wonderful job. The magical sea experience with which we were greeted was very special.
Ewa Kolczynska
Deputy Head
Gumley House Convent School
It only gets better- WOW !
The drama presentation involving many younger year groups held at the nearby excellent business centre was quite brilliant .
The dinner which followed , involved many from the local Portland community , and was a most enjoyable and informative event .
The tour of the Royal Manor campus concentrated on the use of performing arts - drama - in the Literacy project for year 6 students from the local Primary schools usually offered as an out of hours additional service .
This yr 7 -11 school is now awaiting a decision on an exciting and indeed logical move to convert to an Academy - Good Luck to them .
SJH
An excting new development where the Olympic 2012 ‘legacy’ starts in 2008!
Wonderful choir singing Johnny Nash's 'I can see clearly now' on what is becoming a bright sunshiney day - day 3 of the tour.
