Manchester United Foundation launches safe space at E-ACT Royton and Crompton Academy

A safe space funded by Manchester United Foundation has been opened at E-ACT Royton and Crompton Academy (part of E-ACT, a family of 28 academies) - the first of its kind for the Foundation.

The school in Royton held a celebration event with the Headteacher of the academy, Andrea Atkinson, in attendance, along with representatives from Manchester United Foundation, student leaders, members of the Safe Space student group and Wes Brown, the former Manchester United and England star.

The event saw the official opening of the safe space – named the GCE (Games, Chill-out, Electronics) Lounge by students – plus a practical outdoor football session, and an assembly providing more details about the partnership, including a Q&A with Wes.

The GCE Lounge and ‘Safe Space’ initiative will ensure that Royton and Crompton students have a comfortable social space to go to after school. 

Student voice work done by Manchester United Foundation revealed that young people in Greater Manchester currently see a real need for safe places for young people to go outside of school. 

Inspired by this, the school and the Foundation have worked together to refurbish the community hub that is already on the school site. 

The space features a games room complete with pool table and games console, a chill out room where students can relax and socialise and a quiet workspace where students can study and complete homework or coursework. 

Manchester United Foundation uses football to engage and inspire young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which they live. 

They have dedicated staff who deliver educational and community outreach programmes to help young people make positive choices in their lives. 

Royton and Crompton is one of 30 school partnerships at which a Foundation officer is based full-time to work with the students and build positive relationships with the community.

Funding secured through the partnership has also provided gym facilities at Royton and Crompton, as showcased on today’s tour of the Academy, and evening football provision by Foundation coaches ensures the school offers rounded support for students from morning to evening.

E-ACT Royton and Crompton Academy Head Ms Atkinson said: “I want to say a big thank you to Manchester United Foundation for funding the GCE Lounge at the school. 

"It’s brilliant that we can offer students somewhere to hang out and even better that it sits alongside our existing community hub, which the Foundation has also helped us refurbish. 

"School is about more than just what happens in the classroom and we are delighted to be able to offer these assets to the young people in our community.”

Tom Campbell, CEO of E-ACT, said: “Everyone at E-ACT is delighted that the safe space is now open and available for students to use. 

"It’s so important that young people have spaces to visit where they feel safe and I am grateful to Manchester United Foundation for their work on this, and for everything they do to support children across our academies.”

Wes Brown said: “I always like to come and show my support for what the Foundation does in the community and schools.

"The communal space of the GCE Lounge is fantastic, especially that it has been designed and developed by the students.

"The facilities across the school are brilliant; it’s very different to when I went to school.

"It’s great that the young people are so involved and take command of what they need and how to benefit their school and community.”

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