March 2010 Update

Welcome to the 
March 2010 Update 
from
The Aldridge Foundation

Rod Aldridge hosts Dance Summit to unite the sector in common goal

On February 23rd, Rod Aldridge spoke of the need for the dance industry to unite to break down barriers and encourage participation in dance, and published the recommendations from that (attached).  The Summit, delivered by The Aldridge Foundation for the Dance Champions Group chaired by Rod, with members such as Arlene Phillips, Lisa Snowdon, Darren Bennett and Angela Rippon, brought together 75 delegates and offered recommendations for encouraging the 89% of the population who currently don’t dance to take up the activity.  Speakers included Ruth Mackenzie, newly appointed Director of the Cultural Olympiad.  The Foundation will also be the delivery partner for a series of regional events around the country, which organisations, local authorities and Primary Care Trusts are encouraged to partner for and bid.  In addition, the Group launched the new www.dancechampions.org interactive directory of dance opportunities to the industry, which will go public-facing in July.

The report can be found here.  For more information on all our work on dance, contact:
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Rod Aldridge keynote speaker at SSAT Business and Enterprise Conference

Addressing over 300 delegates at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust annual B&E Conference, Rod talked of the potential for entrepreneurship within schools as an important key to learning.  Through giving students’ a context for their studies, it was possible to boost core skills such as literacy and numeracy, he said.  Teaching an entrepreneurial mindset – more than just enterprise – could unlock skills for life when underpinned by strong academic performance, whilst embedding it within an Academy setting could transform a community.

For a copy of the speech, contact: 
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Darwen Aldridge Community Academy celebrates Topping Out  

In early March, the first Aldridge Academy witnessed its Topping Out ceremony.  The scaffolding has come down, classrooms are being painted and the final touches being added to its impressive new facilities such as the dance studio, café, atrium and its spacious sports hall. The building will be open to students from September 2010.  A time-capsule was buried at the site containing “good news stories” relating to the new Academy.

As well as Year 11 DACA students, the ceremony was also attended by Principal, Brendan Loughran, pupils from Darwen Vale High School, and sponsor Rod Aldridge.  Rod said, “Opening the new building is an emotional time for everyone involved over the past few years. The young people will have top notch facilities that are really welcoming and provide a stimulating environment in which to learn.”

Aldridge Academies Director urges sponsors to constantly move with the times

Speaking at a separate SSAT event, Aldridge Academies Director Sally Ritchie spoke of the need for Academies not to seek to fit a set model but “constantly look to move with the times, take risks where appropriate and stay current so that future generations are provided with a relevant education and equipped with skills for the world they are entering.”   She reminded sponsors that freedoms associated with the Academy system should be used to make important and radical changes where appropriate that could benefit their students and communities.

For more information on Aldridge Academies, contact:
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