Back to work

It is great upon return from holiday to be rejuvenated by hearing afresh about all the exciting things going on in Edge:

• As a premium sponsor and driver of Worldskills London 2011 some staff are over in Calgary at this moment watching this extraordinary biennial competition of world-class talent; I’m optimistic we’ll bring back a good haul of medals.
• Our two Academies (in Milton Keynes and Bulwell, north Nottingham) open their doors next week – I am really looking forward to meeting all the staff and students. The Times ; BBC
• Our next media campaign starts next week, encouraging and enabling parents and young people to start voicing their views on education and so influence political manifestos before the next election.
• Ten days time will see the launch of a very exciting employer campaign in which Edge is a major partner, led by Sir Stewart Rose of Business in the Community (and M&S of course). The aim is to help employers improve the work they already do with young people – turning work experience into work inspiration.
• The independent feature film “We are the people we have been waiting for”, produced and directed by New Moon Films, is now completed. I love it! It is very well produced, very provocative, and for me highlights the importance of there being many paths to success for young people – as well as a number of other key things such as the absolutely critical role of teachers. The Leicester Square premier will be in November.

It is also great to know the exam season is over! And there have even been some positive press articles this week: Lord Baker and the advent of University Technical Colleges (we are working closely with him on this) in the Daily Telegraph; good stuff on Diplomas in the Independent; and even this from Chris Woodhead in the Sunday Times; “We desperately need the more diverse system of public examinations that the Conservatives are apparently planning to introduce: a system in which those who have practical talents have the opportunity to achieve something worthwhile and those who have academic ability are genuinely challenged.”