Dear Parents and Carers, 

As we approach October, I would like to thank you for your continued support. It has been another busy and highly successful week at MEA Central, with pupils consistently demonstrating our value of Citizenship through their learning, conduct and contributions to the wider school community.

This week marks the launch of Year 11 Revision Month, the start of Year 9 Big Tests, celebrations for National Poetry Day, and continued preparations for our Head Boy and Head Girl elections. Each of these opportunities enables our young people to develop their confidence, character and aspirations while celebrating their achievements.

We are also delighted to be welcoming colleagues from other schools and trusts who are visiting to learn from the excellent practice taking place at MEA Central. From the strong routines and high expectations seen in lessons to our focus on reading, vocabulary and oracy, there is much for both our staff and students to be proud of.

Today has been a particularly special day at MEA Central as we celebrate the publication of our Ofsted report which is now live here: Manchester Enterprise Academy Central - Open - Find an Inspection Report - Ofsted

While we have already shared the outcomes with families, it was important to take time to recognise our students whose commitment and contribution are central to this achievement. Students have had a free lunch and a chance to take part in our famous lunchtime karaoke session! Throughout the day, we have reminded scholars how valued they are and how proud we are of everything they have accomplished.

Inspectors spoke exceptionally positively about our students, recognising their conduct, attitudes to learning, ambition and the significant contribution they make to the warm, purposeful culture of our school. The report reflects what we see every day: kind, respectful and hardworking young people who represent both our school and community with distinction. This recognition is a testament not only to their efforts, but also to the strong partnership between school and home that helps every child to succeed!

 

Attendance and Punctuality

Strong attendance remains a priority because we know the impact this has on student belonging and attainment. We are thrilled to share that Year 9 is in the top 20%, Year 10 in the top 12%, and Year 11 in the top 3% nationally! Congratulations to Civitas House for taking the lead in our House attendance competition.

Year Group	Attendance this week	Best Form Attendance
7	97.2%	7 Duffy (again!) 99%
8	92.1%	8 Morrison (again!) 100%
9	95.5%	9 Duffy (again!) 99%
10	95.3%	10 Eliot 98%
11	96.1%	11 Armitage 100%

A reminder that our school gates close promptly at 8.40am. Lytham Road and the surrounding areas can be particularly busy in the morning, so students should allow sufficient time for their journey and avoid arriving in the final moments before the gates close. Thank you for your continued support.

 

Head Boy and Head Girl Elections

We're delighted to announce that the search for our new Head Boy and Head Girl is officially underway - the two most prestigious student leadership positions MEA Central has to offer. Whoever is elected will become the face of our school community: representing MEA Central at assemblies, open evenings and community events, welcoming visitors, and taking the lead on flagship occasions such as prom and Black History Month. They will also chair the Student Leadership Council, working alongside the Senior Leadership Team, staff and governors to help shape the future of our school.

 

The role is open exclusively to our current Senior Prefects, who were briefed on Monday and have since received their application forms. Applications must be handed to Mr Awan by 15:00 on Monday 28th September. Shortlisting will follow, with results communicated by 15:00 on Wednesday 30th September.

 

Those that make it through to the next phase of the election campaign will produce a video and speech. The video will be shown to students during form time to help inform their vote, whilst the speech will be presented in front of the Senior Leadership Team and staff. We are very proud of all our applicants and are excited to see what they produce.

 

Work Experience Parent Drop in

There will be a virtual TEAMs drop in session for parents and carers of Year 10 students on Thursday 22^nd October 5:15pm-6:15pm which will be hosted by the Career’s Team, Mr Grimes and Mrs Hunt.

This is an opportunity for parents/carers to speak and ask questions directly with the Career’s team about Work Experience for Year 10.

 

Work Experience Dates – 8^th February – 12^th February

The deadline for students to find their own work experience placement is Friday 27^th November 2026, placements found after this date may not be approved by OurFutures.

Please see the access codes to join the session.

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/333572915134981?p=sRAEaHQAofMCoSfwVv

Meeting ID: 333 572 915 134 981 Passcode: hZ2BT6d9

 

Manchester Camerata Offer with 42^nd Street 

Explore. Experiment. Create. Connect.  

Free flexible music group sessions supporting young people to explore music and get creative.

The sessions are overall introductory to music creativity sessions to support wellbeing and are flexibly shaped around the interests and ideas of the group and could include DJing, song-writing, improvisation, music tech and production, soundscapes, music videos and working with guest artists. Led by music therapists and musicians, it’s a space to experiment without pressure, discover new ways to express yourself through music, develop creative and musical skills, share your music passions, and connect with other young people. These sessions are about free exploration and finding your own way of connecting to music - whether you already make music or have never tried it before.

When do the sessions take place?

-Location:The Horsfall (Middle Floor) , 42nd Street, 87-91 Great Ancoats Street, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5AG

-Time:Tuesdays 4.30-5.30pm, starting from 22nd September

Sign-up or find out more?
-To find out more email Create@42ndStreet.org.uk
-and to book a place use the sign-up button here:

42nd Street | Creative Music Expression for Wellbeing with Manchester Camerata. |

Young person:
"If I were to say one thing about the groups, you don't need to know a thing about music to be part of the groups, anything goes and everything works"

Other Music options currently running:
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/event-listing/young-producers-music-lab/

 

 

Manchester Access Offer

We are delighted to invite you to our Disabled Women & Girls Sports Festival, a free and inclusive event for disabled, d/Deaf and/or neurodivergent women and girls aged 5–25. You do not need a diagnosis to attend.

The festival will be delivered by coaches from local sports clubs, giving participants the opportunity to try a range of activities including BMX, climbing, tennis, and football. There will also be a dedicated rest and quiet space available throughout the day for anyone who needs it.

Event Details
Date	Monday 26 October
Time	10:00am – 2:30pm
Venue	National Cycling Centre, Manchester
Who can attend	Women and girls aged 5–25 who have a disability, d/deaf and/or are neurodivergent. Siblings and family friends are also welcome. No diagnosis is required to attend.
Cost	Free

Please sign up using this link - Access Sport Disabled Women and Girls Festival- 26 October 2026 - Manchester

 

Registration

To attend, all participants must be registered in advance using our registration form shown above.

We ask that at least one parent, guardian or responsible adult accompanies each participant and remains responsible for them throughout the event. Parents, carers and family members are welcome to spectate or join in with activities to support participants and enjoy the day together.

Once registered, participants will receive a welcome email from Access Sport with further information about the event and what to expect on the day.

If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact AJ McMinn at AJ.McMinn@AccessSport.org.uk or call the Access Sport office on 020 7993 9883.

 

 

Head of Year Messages 

Year 7 – Mr Guest

It has been another positive few weeks for Year 7, and it is fantastic to see students continuing to settle in so well. This term, our focus remains on Citizenship, and students participated brilliantly in a recent assembly with Mr Grimes, exploring the importance of making positive choices and contributing positively to our school community.

A key part of feeling a sense of belonging is getting involved in school life. We would love every Year 7 student to be participating in at least two enrichment clubs. Our House competitions are also well underway, with the current challenge being to draw a portrait, so we are looking forward to seeing plenty of creative entries!

We are aiming high with 98% attendance, and our upcoming Kick Air trip on the 11th will have limited places available. Please look out for further information about this opportunity.

Finally, most of our current overtimes are unfortunately coming from students arriving late to school. We would really appreciate your support in helping students organise themselves in the morning and arrive promptly and ready to learn.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

Mr Guest, Mx Eastwood

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Year 8 – Ms Park

This week, Year 8 students took part in activities celebrating both European Day of Languages Week and Caribbean Day, exploring different cultures, languages and traditions while developing respect for diversity and inclusion. Our Learning and Aspiration Focus was on building the habits that lead to success, including organisation, resilience and independence. During form time, students participated in assemblies, numeracy activities and house competition preparations, helping to develop confidence, communication skills and a strong sense of belonging.

We would also like to congratulate students who maintained excellent attendance and those nominated for Scholar of the Week for their commitment, participation and positive attitudes. Our Quote of the Week from Ludwig Wittgenstein, “The limits of my language mean the limits of my world,” encouraged students to reflect on how language broadens understanding. We asked all students to continue demonstrating respect, kindness and pride in their work, and encouraged families to discuss different cultures at home by learning a greeting or interesting fact together. Thank you for your continued support.

Mrs Park, Mr Chowdhury, Mrs Costello

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Year 9 – Mr Roper 

Year 9 continue to make a really strong start to the academic year and it has been a real pleasure for both Ms Renshaw and I to get to know the pupils better over the past few weeks. We have also been working closely with families and carers to support pupils in maintaining high standards of attendance, uniform, punctuality and readiness to learn. Thank you for your warm welcome and ongoing support you have shown us as we continue to build positive relationships across the year group.

This week has been dedicated to Revision Week, with pupils preparing for the Year 9 Big Test Week, which begins on 28th September. It has been fantastic to see so many pupils taking ownership of their learning and embracing the opportunities available to help them succeed. We have been particularly impressed by the number of students using Overtime sessions and after-school Homework Club to complete additional revision and consolidate their understanding.

A special mention must go to those pupils who have gone above and beyond by completing extra revision in subjects such as History during their own time. Their commitment, effort and determination to achieve their best has been excellent to see and reflects the positive attitude many Year 9 pupils are demonstrating towards their studies.

As we move into Big Test week, we would like to wish all Year 9 pupils the very best of luck. We encourage them to continue revising, stay organised and approach their tests with confidence. We are incredibly proud of the positive start the year group has made and look forward to celebrating their successes in the weeks ahead.

Mr Roper & Ms Renshaw

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Year 10 – Ms Bradbury

It has been a pleasure to see Year 10 continue to make such a positive start to Key Stage 4. I would like to thank parents and carers for their continued support in helping students maintain the high standards expected at MEA Central. Throughout the week, many students have consistently demonstrated our Grade 1 scholarly habits by arriving prepared for lessons, actively engaging in their learning and showing resilience when faced with challenge. These habits are essential for success at GCSE, and it has been fantastic to see so many students embracing what it means to be a true MEA Central Scholar.

I would also like to take this opportunity to celebrate the excellent attendance across the year group. Good attendance is one of the strongest indicators of academic success, ensuring that students benefit from every lesson, every opportunity and every interaction with their teachers and peers. We are incredibly proud that 141 students in Year 10 maintain 100% attendance demonstrating dedication and commitment to their studies. Thank you to parents and carers for continuing to support their child's attendance and punctuality each day. Your partnership plays a crucial role in helping students achieve their full potential.

Finally, as students continue their GCSE journey, I would encourage them to make use of the home learning resources available to support their studies. Below you will find links to resources for Maths, English and Science that can be accessed at home. Regular independent study, even in small amounts, can make a significant difference to students' confidence, knowledge and long-term success. Developing positive study habits now will help students to consolidate their learning, prepare effectively for assessments and build the strong foundations needed for future achievement. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to celebrating even more successes with Year 10 in the weeks ahead.

Science and Maths

Sparx Learning

English

An Inspector Calls - GCSE English Literature - BBC Bitesize

Ms Bradbury, Mx Umpierrez

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Year 11 – Mr Blackburn

Dear Parents and Carers,

Year 11 have made a fantastic start to the year, and our main focus continues to be ensuring every student is fully prepared for the exciting months ahead.

Attendance – Everyday Matters

Attendance is our number one priority. In Year 11, every lesson counts, and missing even a small amount of school can have a significant impact on final grades. Excellent attendance means students benefit from every lesson, every piece of feedback and every intervention available to support their success. It also demonstrates commitment and reliability, qualities that are valued by colleges and future employers.

Participation & College Applications

Another key focus is participation, particularly with the college application process. College open days begin over the next two weeks, and we strongly encourage all students to start booking visits. Open days are a fantastic opportunity to experience different colleges, meet staff and students, and decide which environment is the right fit for them.

CAP Lessons & Personal Statements

Focus and engagement in CAP lessons this half term is essential. Over the coming weeks, students will be developing the skills needed to write strong personal statements. These are a vital part of college applications, allowing students to showcase their strengths, achievements, interests and future aspirations. A well-written personal statement can make a real difference when applying for college places.

On the Horizon

The Year 11 team is currently organising an exciting residential trip in March, which will be open to the whole year group. A letter outlining all the details will be sent home next week, and we look forward to sharing more information soon.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to ensure Year 11 make the most of every opportunity available to them.

Best wishes,
Mr Blackburn and Mrs Shahbaz