Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, visits Belle Vue

Andy Burnham recently visited our academy after we wrote to tell him about the #TheBelleVueDifference.

Our student leaders gave Andy a tour of their state-of-the-art facilities and various lessons. In Miss James' Year 8 music, students sang a song especially written for Andy, and in Mrs Allsopp’s geography lesson, students discussed with Andy their aspirations for the future of Manchester.

The students shared more about their curriculum principles and electives programme, explaining how community is at the heart of everything they do. Students asked Andy which of their principles was most important to him, to which he responded: "Co-operation".

When asked by the students about #TheBelleVueDifference initiative, Andy Burnham said:

“I think it’s absolutely brilliant. It’s clear to me that Mr Fletcher, and all of the staff here, are instilling great principles into the school. It’s evident that this is a safe environment that lifts students' aspirations.”

Speaking to the students, Andy said:

“You see no limit on what you can be. You can be anything you want to be, and the school is giving you that feeling. Everything I hoped to find when I visited Belle Vue is here - you’ve got it all and more.

Head of Academy, Mr Fletcher, said of the visit:

We were delighted to welcome Andy Burnham to Co-op Academy Belle Vue. Our students spoke to Andy about how great Manchester is and their suggestions on how to further improve it. Andy shared his vision for transport in Manchester and the bus pass students will receive when they go to college. Andy also had our daily appreciation dedicated to him for his work as the Mayor of Greater Manchester.