Campaign is launched to help young reach goals

Estelle Morris

RAISING aspirations and helping young Oldhamers reach their potential . . . these are the aims of a new campaign designed to make the borough a better place.

The Grow Oldham Campaign is part of the Education and Skills Commission and will be implemented by marketing and media production agency Tunafish Media.

The commission will produce its report later in the year and is chaired by former Education Secretary Estelle Morris, who is working alongside Anne Redmond (Kingfisher School), Julie Hollis (Blue Coat School), Alun Francis (Oldham College) and Jayne Clarke (Oldham Sixth Form College).

Tunafish Media managing director Sam Jones, from Failsworth, said: “During the initial research it was identified that one of the key things that needed changing was a focus on pushing children to have aspirations and then aiding them towards reaching that goal.

Future

“With that in mind our campaign focuses on raising positive aspirations in Oldham and opening an honest and frank discussion about the opportunities available to people and how they can go on to achieve them.

“We have interviewed more than 100 young Oldhamers about where they want to be in the future, what they think of their current education and what help they believe they think they need to move forward.

“We’re then going to do guest blogs from various people in various industries discussing their careers and giving out tips to follow in their footsteps.

“The website will also act as a portal so people can see what their options are in the area and what they can get involved in.

“We’re really keen for people to interact and send us any information that they may want to share as well.”

The commission, launched at Stoneleigh Academy last July, has met quarterly to examine issues such as how fit for purpose is the current education system in Oldham, how education can be made a priority for partners across the board and how effective leadership can be provided.

Members will release a report in September following 12 months of investigation.

It is hoped the outcomes and suggestions made by the commission will raise standards across the board to give every child in Oldham the best possible start in life.

To find out more about the campaign, visit www.grow-oldham.co.uk.