Press Releases
Adversity motivates UK’s successful entrepreneurs, says survey
30 October 2009
Personal adversity is a driving factor motivating the UK’s successful entrepreneurs according to a survey by the Aldridge Foundation. The Origins of an Entrepreneur survey asked 370 of the country’s successful entrepreneurs about their backgrounds, education, motivations and personal characteristics.
Enterprising school opens students’ eyes with trip to the Bronx
20 October 2009
Teachers and students from the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, in Lancashire, are being taken on an eye-opening trip to New York to learn how social enterprise and inspiring educational techniques can benefit disadvantaged communities.
Dance Stars Launch Campaign to Get Nation on the Floor
15 October 2009
The Department of Health’s ‘Dance Champions’ Group, will embark on a nationwide tour to get the country dancing, Public Health Minister Gillian Merron will announce today. Dance stars including Arlene Phillips, former Come Dancing presenter Angela Rippon, Capital Radio’s Lisa Snowden and Strictly Come Dancing pro Darren Bennett will today join Health Minister Gillian Merron and Dance Champions Chair, Rod Aldridge, to launch their campaign to get 100,000 people more active through
Inspirational Community Initiative for Darwen
5 August 2009
Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Community Voluntary Service and the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA), have collectively secured up to £450,000 Funding as part of the Inspiring Communities Grant Programme.
School ballroom dancing scheme improves children’s fitness, social skills and classroom behaviour,
22 June 2009
A scheme to teach ballroom and Latin dance in school PE lessons can improve children's fitness, engagement in physical activity, social skills, self-esteem and classroom behaviour, says a report launched today (June 22) with dancers Darren and Lilia from the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing TV Show.
Scheme to teach ballroom dance in PE lessons gains cross party support
22 June 2009
A scheme to teach ballroom and Latin dance in school PE lessons has gained cross party support from MPs.
Kier Group appointed to undertake the construction of the new Falmer Academy
12 May 2009
Brighton & Hove City Council has appointed Crawley-based Kier Group to undertake the construction of the new Falmer Academy. Work will commence this summer, with phase one of the new building ready for staff and students to move into in September 2010.
Darwen Students get sneak preview of Kevin Spacey's Exclusive Art Installation
9 May 2009
Students from The Darwen Aldridge Community Academy (DACA) were among the first in the country to get a sneak preview of Tunnel 228, the eagerly anticipated art installation project produced by Kevin Spacey's Old Vic Theatre, which is set in the vaults beneath London’s Waterloo Station.
Principal Designate Appointed to New Falmer Academy
28 April 2009
Rod Aldridge, Sponsor of the Falmer Academy and Chair of the Aldridge Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philomena (Phil) Hogg as Principal Designate of Falmer Academy, near Brighton.
We Are What We Do Announces Results of Year 1 of the Young Speakers Programme
6 April 2009
We Are What We Do, the social change organisation behind the bestselling book, Change the World for a Fiver and the iconic “I’m not a plastic bag” project proudly announced details of the impact of the first year of its Young Speakers Programme today.
Aldridge Foundation calls on local authorities to support scheme to improve children’s fitness
27 February 2009
The Aldridge Foundation is calling on local authorities to support a scheme bringing ballroom and Latin dance into schools to improve children’s fitness and self-esteem.
Children’s minister welcomes pilot scheme to bring ballroom dancing into schools
24 February 2009
Ed Balls, the Children, Schools, and Families Secretary, has welcomed a pilot scheme launched today (February 24) with Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show to bring ballroom and Latin dance into school PE lessons.
TV dance show stars teach Brighton school children ballroom dancing
18 February 2009
On Tuesday February 24 Brighton school children will get the chance to practice their ballroom and Latin dance skills with Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show.
TV dance show stars teach Bromley school children to jive
17 February 2009
On Tuesday February 24 Bromley school children will get the chance to practice their ballroom and Latin dance skills with Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show.
School scheme to improve children’s fitness through ballroom dancing
17 February 2009
Over 2,500 school students aged 5-18 are being asked to take their partners for the Cha-cha-cha, waltz, jive and quick step in a pilot scheme aimed at improving their health and self-esteem by learning ballroom and Latin dancing.
Academy Funding Agreement brings certainty to fresh start
8 May 2008
The Secretary of State for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), along with the Academy Trust and Blackburn with Darwen Council, has reached a Funding Agreement for the £45m school.
Young people stand up for the small things to change the world
1 April 2008
After training this summer, 200 16-25 year olds from London and the North West will go into primary schools and community groups to make presentations aimed at inspiring a whole new generation of young activists.
New sponsor steps forward to lead Falmer Academy partnership
4 February 2008
One of Brighton and Hove’s most successful entrepreneurs and a national leader of activities to support youth charities has put himself forward as the potential head of a new partnership to sponsor the proposed Falmer Academy in Brighton.
New Director for Birmingham's Centre for Public Service Partnerships
7 November 2007
The University of Birmingham has appointed John Tizard as the first Director of its Centre for Public Service Partnerships.
Academy receives the green light
4 October 2007
Blackburn with Darwen Council and The Aldridge Foundation can now press on with the proposed academy in Darwen, on the existing site at Redearth Road that has already received full planning permission, after being given the go-ahead for using the Redeath
Advent International appoints interim advisory board for Lloyds Registrars
18 July 2007
Advent International, one of the world's leading global private equity firms, today announced the appointment of Bob Thian (chairman), Rod Aldridge OBE (non-executive) and Oliver Niedermaier (non-executive) to an interim advisory board pending completion
New chairman of The Lowry
1 January 2007
The Lowry, a hugely popular and award-winning arts venue on Salford Quays, today announces that Rodney Aldridge OBE is the new Chairman, following the sad and untimely death earlier this year of former Chair, Charles Levison.
New Principal for the Academy in Darwen announced
1 November 2006
Rod Aldridge, Sponsor of the Academy to replace Darwen Moorland High School in September 2008, today confirmed his commitment to making the Academy happen by announcing the appointment of the new Principal, Brendan Loughran.
News Update 
The Aldridge Foundation releases report of the first international trip of the Opening Eyes programme - to New York City.
Project Spotlight
The Dance Champions Group, chaired by Rod Aldridge, launched in October 2009, with the aim of seeing hundreds of thousands of people encouraged to try dance as a physical activity.
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