Waterhead Academy

'Oldham Sixth Form College has worked in close partnership with Waterhead Academy (and its previous guises) for almost 25 years. It is　a relationship we value highly and we have always worked closely together to ensure that students aspirations are raised, that they are well-informed about their options post-16, and that they get all the support they need in making the right choices for them. We work with students across all the age ranges at Waterhead, delivering assemblies, attending careers events, meeting students and parents, and providing a variety of bespoke sessions - often involving ex-Waterhead students who are studying at OSFC. Waterhead students also visit the college for Taster Days, Open Days and events targeting Gifted and Talented students. It is an ever-developing relationship with new collaborations established every year. It is a partnership that has been very successful and one of which we're very proud.'

Positive Steps provides careers information, advice and guidance to students at Waterhead Academy.　 The success of this work has been based on a firm foundation of effective collaboration between the academy staff and our staff at Positive Steps.　 The careers programme and careers area organised by the academy helps to provide students with all of the information that they need and the individual guidance we provide helps to inspire students, help them decide on the most appropriate career pathways and be supported in making that transition from Year 11 to their next destination.　 The senior management of the academy is utterly committed to preparing students for 　adult life and the partnership between the academy and Positive Steps continues to thrive.

TV presenter and maths expert Rachel Riley joined the panel, which also included Anita Bernie, Director of Spacecraft Platform and Demonstration Missions at Surrey Satellite Technology Limited; Elspeth Finch, founder and CEO of Indigo&; Professor Karen Holford, Pro Vice-Chancellor in Physical Sciences and Engineering at Cardiff University; and Hazel Macnamara, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Rachel said, “I think it’s brilliant that Manchester United Foundation actually gets involved and goes into schools – they don’t just say the right things, they make things happen. The girls today have received an opportunity to attend a UK premiere of a really uplifting and inspirational film and they’re getting to speak to women who are working the industry and the girls can aspire to be like. We’re not just talking about football, we’re talking about maths, science and trying to improve people’s lives on a very real basis and I think it’s brilliant.”

Juan commented, “It’s great to come to schools like this and to see the children so happy, we’ve been playing some games and I’ve enjoyed myself. “I always say that Manchester United Foundation does a great job for the community around Manchester; it’s incredible the amount of schools and hospitals they work with and for us players it is amazing to come here, see it in person and to really experience what it means to make others happy.” ” Foundation Coach, Claire Harrop, who works full-time at Waterhead and within the primary schools, described the impact on the students, “Seeing Juan here today is amazing; we’ve tried to keep it under wraps but there’s been a buzz all day. He is such a great role model, not only for the children but for the community; days like this really give people aspirations and help them to be a bit more motivated.”

Enjoying his first #SchoolsUnited event, Pogba said, “It is always memorable doing work with the Foundation; we just want to make kids happy. For me, when I was a kid, it was a dream to meet a footballer, so it’s good to do things like this and to be an example for children as they are the future.” An ongoing supporter of the Foundation, Mata added, “The work that the Foundation does in Manchester is incredible and it’s nice for us to get involved and take part in some challenges with the kids – some of them are even better than us!”