Press Releases

September 14 2009

MCFC’s chief executive welcomes 400 parents to Academy open evening

Manchester City Football Club's Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, welcomed 400 parents and primary school pupils who attended The East Manchester Academy open evening at the City of Manchester Stadium on Wednesday 9 September.

John Edwards, Deputy Director of Children's Services at Manchester City Council, Guy Hutchence, The East Manchester Academy's Principal Designate and Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester shared their vision for the new school to a packed room and explained what state-of-the-art facilities will be available to pupils and the wider community.

The new school will offer a longer school day, high standards of behaviour and learning and holiday activities. There will also be a district library on the campus and a range of first-class sporting facilities at Sportcity which is right on the door-step. Attendees also learnt of the additional benefits that the support from the sponsors and the football club will bring.

Guy Hutchence, Principal Designate for The East Manchester Academy said: "Our first open evening has been a huge success. Parents, primary heads and pupils seemed to be really impressed with what we have to offer. A huge amount of effort, including lengthy consultation with all interested parties, has ensured we are able to offer a first-class school which sets new standards in education in Manchester. It is therefore very satisfying that our vision has been received in such a positive way by the people that really matter and who will directly benefit from our facilities.

The East Manchester Academy has started to create a real buzz within this community which is extremely exciting. A first-class educational establishment sits so well with Garry Cook's vision of a world class football club in east Manchester. The East Manchester Academy's partnership with MCFC, Sportcity, and international sponsors will provide unprecedented opportunities for all children and local people in our community."

Garry Cook, Chief Executive Officer for Manchester City Football Club said: "I was very interested to hear the ambitious plans for the new academy and extremely pleased that their aspirations for a first-class school meets with our vision for a world-class club. With this shared goal we are committed to forging a strong and close relationship with the school over the coming years. The Club has done a great deal of work with the community over the years, which is something we are very proud of, and the Academy provides yet another opportunity to build on this for the benefit of local people."

Eddie Smith, Chief Executive of New East Manchester said: "I am delighted that Garry Cook was able to see first hand the passion and commitment that parents and pupils have to education within east Manchester. Pupils will have a first-class education, access the superb Sportcity and football club's facilities which can open up all sorts of fantastic opportunities for their future. We must continue to aim high and strive for excellence. Raising attainment levels is absolutely critical to the future of our young people in east Manchester. We recognise that education is the key to giving local youngsters the best possible start in life and investing in this new school will reap rewards for generations to come. East Manchester is indeed an exciting place to be at the moment and enjoys a great deal of international attention. The East Manchester Academy is a significant part of this exciting journey."

The new £31.5 million East Manchester Academy located on Grey Mare Lane in Beswick, east Manchester. It will open in September 2010 providing a first-class learning environment for 11 - 16 year olds, initially with 180 places for Year 7 only, gradually building up to 900 pupils over the next five years.

The 90, 800 sq ft (8, 436 sq metres) building, designed by Walker Simpson architects, is being built by Balfour Beatty Construction, which started in March this year, is now at an advanced stage.

The East Manchester Academy is sponsored by Laing O'Rourke and Bovis Lend Lease, as well as co-sponsors New East Manchester on behalf of Manchester City Council, and The Manchester College.

Admissions forms can also be completed on-line by visiting www.manchester.gov.uk/admissions or by returning the form by post to the Council's admissions team by the closing date of October 23rd 2009. Parents will be notified in March if they have secured a place at the school.

For more information visit www.neweastmanchester.com or www.theeastmanchesteracademy.org.uk.