November 2010 Update

Two Aldridge Academies celebrate with their communities

Darwen Aldridge Community Academy welcomed business leaders and community members of all ages through its doors on October 20th, celebrating its move to the brand new site in the heart of Darwen town centre.  The day kicked off with the launch of No Limit’s Youth Enterprise Award, which was held within DarwenCreates – our unique entrepreneurship bridge offering local young people the chance to run their own start-up business within one of eleven office pods. 

Each pod will be sponsored by a local or national business for three years to allow the young entrepreneur the use of the, with the VIP launch of DarwenCreates taking place in spring next year.  The afternoon event allowed local community members the chance to learn about the six DAKAs – our entrepreneurial attributes of determination, creativity, problem-solving, risk-taking, teamwork and passion, and to view the fantastic facilities on offer in the sports hall, dance and drama centre and the learning resource centre.

At Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, the opening of the new Academy was celebrated with a combination of events on October 6th.  The Topping Out ceremony noted the completion of the structure of BACA’s new home, into which it will move in September 2011.  Rod Aldridge, Cllr Vanessa Brown, Phil Hogg and Kier’s representative Colin Baker shared the honour.  As well as a performance from the Academy’s new self-formed rock band, the day launched the new Falmer Cricket Club – in partnership with Sussex County Cricket Club – which saw professional cricket stars Ollie Rainer and Lewis Hatchett (right) take on BACA students in a Street20 game.

For more information on Aldridge Academies, or to find out how to sponsor a pod at DACA, contact:
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Foundation debates community entrepreneurship in 21st century

In partnership with St Georges House at Windsor Castle, The Aldridge Foundation held a rewarding two-day consultation on developing entrepreneurial communities in the 21st Century. Senior representatives from charities, Whitehall, Local Authorities, education, leadership and management, social enterprise and business from the UK, Australia and the US came together to share practical insights into how to identify and overcome the barriers to community regeneration, helping communities to escape a cycle of long-term deprivation and low aspiration using the power of an entrepreneurial mindset. From these conversations, the Foundation will publish key findings and recommendations, and will report on how these will affect the Foundation's work.

For more information on the event and its findings, contact:
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Other Aldridge Foundation news in brief …

… As part of Visit Our Schools week in October, DACA welcomed Balfour Beatty, leading sessions on the impact of the recession.  The Foundation is keen to work with businesses of all sizes who are interested in developing links with schools.

… DACA also featured as a case study within the recent CBI report “Fulfilling Potential: The business role in education”.  A call to action to government, the report sets out the key needs shared by business and educational institutions.  A copy can be downloaded athttp://highereducation.cbi.org.uk/uploaded/fulfilling_potential.pdf

… Georgina Butler – new Administrator, who joins us after leaving college last year.