Luna’s journey at Co-op Academy Belle Vue is a wonderful example of successful social inclusion and the transformational impact of high expectations, care and exposure to opportunities.

Joining the academy in Year 9 after moving from Sweden, Luna faced the challenge of adapting to a new country, a new education system and learning within a different language environment. From the very beginning, Luna approached every challenge with an exceptional work ethic and determination.

Through the support of staff, alongside Luna’s own commitment to success, she has flourished both academically and personally. Luna is now predicted to achieve Grades 8 and 9 across her subjects, an incredible achievement that reflects not only her academic ability, but also the character she demonstrates every single day.

Luna has embraced every opportunity available to her at Belle Vue. She has attended intervention sessions, completed extensive independent study and consistently gone above and beyond what is expected. She is highly respected by staff and peers alike for her maturity and kindness.

Zimmy’s story is a powerful example of the importance of community, strong relationships with families, and the impact that genuine partnership can have on a young person’s success.

Throughout his time at Co-op Academy Belle Vue, Zimmy has continued to show remarkable determination and strength of character. His ability to continue thriving both personally and academically during difficult periods is something we are incredibly proud of.

A key factor in Zimmy’s success has been the strong partnership between home and school. Through close communication, shared support and a collective commitment to ensuring the very best for him, staff and family have worked together to provide care and encouragement at every stage. His journey truly demonstrates the power of community and the importance of schools and families working hand in hand.

Zimmy’s story highlights that inclusion is not simply about academic outcomes, but about ensuring every young person feels supported, understood, and able to succeed regardless of the challenges they may face.

Layton joined the Hub Alternative Provision (AP) at Failsworth in Year 9 following a difficult period where he was finding it hard to engage with mainstream education. At the time, he needed support with emotional regulation and behavioural management as these challenges often resulted in difficulties in building positive relationships with staff.

Since joining the Hub AP, Layton has demonstrated exceptional personal growth and development. He has embraced the support available, shown increased maturity and developed a strong sense of accountability. Through sustained effort and commitment, he has built positive and respectful relationships with both staff and peers and has become a valued member of the school community.

Layton’s attitude towards learning has also improved significantly and he now approaches his education with focus and a clear understanding of the importance of achieving his long-term goals. His engagement in lessons and willingness to seek support when required have been a credit.

In preparing for his GCSEs, Layton has shown outstanding dedication and has invested a lot of time and effort into his studies. He has developed aspirations for his post-16 pathway and is well placed to continue his success beyond secondary education.

Emme became part of the Hub Alternative Provision (AP) at Failworth in Year 7 following difficulties in accessing and engaging with mainstream education. As a result, her learning experience and behaviour in school were often affected.

Throughout her time in the Hub AP, Emme has demonstrated a commitment to her own development. She has responded positively to support, shown increasing self-awareness and worked hard to overcome barriers that previously impacted her progress. Her determination to improve and her willingness to accept guidance have been key factors in her success.

Over the years, Emme has grown into a thoughtful and motivated young person and she has developed greater confidence in her abilities. This has led to improved relationships with both staff and peers, and helped her to establish a more positive approach to learning. Her maturity and perseverance have also enabled her to make significant strides both personally and academically.

As she completes her GCSE examinations, Emme has shown commendable dedication and commitment to achieving the best outcomes possible. She has approached this important stage of her education with a strong work ethic and a clear sense of purpose. 

In Year 11, Sam demonstrated extraordinary resilience following the tragic loss of his mother just weeks before his final exams. Returning to school the very next day, his unwavering focus and determination were a true testament to his character.

Sam worked hand-in-hand with the dedicated pastoral team at Co-op Academy Manchester, navigating this profound personal bereavement with immense courage. The close partnership between home and school provided a vital support network and thanks to this shared dedication Sam has achieved a set of inspiring GCSE results.

Sam said: "The last year has been really difficult for me, but I've been supported really well by my Heads of Year Miss Jackson and Miss Rehman. They have really helped me by giving me someone to talk to. I have worked hard and am proud of myself for completing my exams.”

In Year 11, Olivia showed immense strength after experiencing a close bereavement just a week before her final exams began. Despite facing huge challenges at such a critical moment in her academic journey, her commitment never wavered. Olivia attended every examination and booster session, displaying discipline and maturity throughout a very challenging period.

Working closely with Co-op Academy Manchester’s pastoral team, she accessed targeted support that helped her navigate this time while remaining focused on her academic goals. 

Olivia said: “I have really enjoyed my time at Co-op Academy Manchester. The support I’ve received from staff and my friends has really helped me to succeed and although I’ve had lots of highs and lows during the last year, I’m really proud of myself for finishing my exams.”

Co-op Academy North Manchester is committed to empowering students to become active citizens who can make a positive difference within their communities. As part of a Citizenship campaign exploring school absenteeism and the wider social factors that influence engagement, Ollie identified the impact the role that local communities play to directly affect positive change.

Working alongside staff and fellow students, Ollie helped to set up a termly food bank within the academy. What began as a small initiative operating from an unused cupboard has now developed into a dedicated space providing practical support to families experiencing financial hardship. Ollie also played a leading role in organising a fundraising initiative in partnership with local services and Manchester City Council, helping to deliver a community-focused event that brought together a range of organisations and residents.

These projects were designed to support families whilst strengthening connections across the academy and wider community. Ollie recognised the importance of working collaboratively to address local challenges to support the wellbeing of pupils and their families.

The success and growth of his initiatives demonstrate the positive impact that can be achieved when students are empowered to lead meaningful change. They also reflect the academy's commitment to social inclusion, ensuring that all members of the community feel valued, supported and connected. Through practical action, partnership working and student leadership, the academy continues to create opportunities that promote belonging and positive outcomes for all.

Since joining Co-op Academy North Manchester, Emily has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to making her local community a cleaner, safer and more inclusive place for everyone.

This year, Emily took a leading role in a major campaign to clean up Blackley. Showing initiative and leadership, she and her team successfully lobbied Manchester City Council and partnered with 'Keep Manchester Tidy' to organise a massive community litter pick. The event brought together the school community with 20 academy members getting involved to collect more than 20 bags of litter.

Emily’s impact went beyond local environmental action as she recognised that social inclusion means ensuring everyone has equal access to support. At a recent Cost of Living event, she coordinated with the local councillor to distribute posters and leaflets, actively encouraging residents to use vital council services rather than resorting to fly-tipping. By breaking down barriers to civic resources and bringing people together, Emily has nurtured a sense of pride and belonging across the community.

Emily's hard work, leadership, and community-focused outlook have left a lasting legacy at the academy, proving how young people can drive real, positive change.

In Years 9 and 10, River’s attendance at Co-op Academy Swinton was low due to his severe anxiety. The amount of school he had missed became a concern for the academy both pastorally and academically.

River has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and through the dedicated support of the SEND team and his Teaching Assistant, Mrs Stewart, he has made remarkable progress. He has transformed into an engaged and motivated student, becoming a well-liked member of the school community.

Mrs Stewart has worked closely with River to build his confidence and develop his independent learning skills, an area he previously found challenging. Through her encouragement and belief in his abilities, River has grown in self-confidence and now feels capable of succeeding across his subjects.

River knows that if he is feeling overwhelmed or worried, he can speak to Mrs Stewart, who will provide the support and reassurance he needs. Alongside this dedicated support, River has shown great determination, working hard to overcome challenges and make significant academic progress.

The attendance team have worked with the SEN and pastoral team to support River with his attendance which has risen over 35% in year 11. River now enjoys his lessons and has also expanded his friendship group.

Reflecting on his journey, River said: “I feel so much happier about my exams now and I am doing so much better than I was in year 10 or my first set of mocks.” After his exams, River will go and speak to his teachers to give them a short evaluation on how he feels he has done and he is always excited to tell them.

Poppie’s journey throughout her time at Co-op Academy Swinton has been inspiring. She has grown into a confident, hardworking and highly respected member of the Year 11 cohort, showing how much can be achieved through determination and the right support.

Over the past two years, Poppie has embraced every opportunity available to her and has worked closely with the pastoral, safeguarding and Year 11 teams to overcome challenges and focus on her future. Through these strong relationships and her own commitment to success, she has developed into a student who consistently demonstrates the academy’s values both inside and outside the classroom.

Poppie was one of the first students in the year group to achieve the 1,000 points needed to qualify for prom and has gone on to earn an outstanding 1,939 positive points, placing her amongst the highest-achieving students in the year group. Alongside this, she has collected numerous Golden Tickets and has shown an unwavering commitment to her learning by attending after-school, Saturday school and holiday revision sessions throughout the year.

Poppie’s story is a wonderful example of personal growth, perseverance and achievement. She has embraced every opportunity to succeed and leaves the academy as a confident young person with a bright future ahead of her.

Olivia joined Co-op Academy Walkden in 2021 and immediately demonstrated a determination to be successful. Olivia had already faced challenges that no child should face before arriving at the academy, having been diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, but this did not get in her way as she pushed herself to become the best that she could be.

In the spring of Year 9, Olivia had to undergo a challenging medical procedure, which meant she would not be able to attend school for some time. Despite this barrier to her education, Olivia still showed outstanding resilience by accessing lessons in hospital and then at home, even trialling the use of new technologies to allow her to still be included within school life.

Olivia has experienced many setbacks, but this never stopped her. Despite missing a full year of her GCSE's in the academy, she has now sat a full suite of GCSE exams and has shown incredible determination to get the best outcomes possible.

Sal's path through secondary education has been one of resilience. After attending two different schools and overcoming challenging experiences, she joined Co-op Academy Walkden with a determination to thrive and make the most of every opportunity.

Joining Walkden at the start of Year 11, Sal was encouraged to be herself. Feeling listened to and having her opinions heard has seen her grow in confidence and become the hard working student she is today. Despite navigating a personal loss and family challenges, Sal has faced everything head on, showing maturity and resilience and emerging a stronger person.

Diana joined Connell Co-op College after studying at Wright Robinson College in Gorton. She has excelled on the Triple BTEC Applied Science course and is hoping to achieve an outstanding D*D*D* when she receives her results this summer.

Passionate about helping others, Diana is currently exploring her future career options, with ambitions to pursue either dental therapy or nursing. While she is particularly interested in dental therapy, she is taking time to find the right course that aligns with her goals and hopes to continue her studies at the University of Huddersfield.

Inspired by family members working in healthcare and caring professions, Diana has always been drawn to a career where she can make a positive difference to people's lives. Ultimately, she hopes to work within the NHS and, in the future, would love the opportunity to travel and potentially live and work abroad.

Alongside her academic studies, Diana has made a significant contribution to college life through her role as Vice Leader of the Student Council. In this position, she represented the student voice, attended regular meetings and helped organise key events including Eid celebrations and Culture Day.

Speaking about her involvement, Diana said: "I joined the Student Council because I wanted to support other students by listening to their ideas and concerns and helping to make positive changes within the college. It gave me some amazing opportunities, including meeting the then Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham."

Adriana studied the triple BTEC Applied Science course and is hoping to get D*D*D. She has accepted a place at the University of Lancashire to study (BVMS) Veterinary Medicine & Surgery (foundation entry). After completing her six years of study, Adriana is planning to work as a veterinary surgeon in a clinic in the UK for at least two years before travelling to places such as Australia where she could work with more exotic animals.

During her time at Connell Co-op College, Adriana was the Head of the Student Council and also volunteered as an ambassador at open events, interview evenings and supporting the college Eid celebration. Embracing every opportunity during her time at Connell, Adriana also took part in a variety of enrichment classes including driving theory lessons, volleyball and the college’s book club.

Reflecting on her time at Connell, Adriana said: “I have truly cherished every moment during my time at Connell. One of the things that I will miss the most is the strong sense of community and the dedicated teachers who supported me every step of the way, helping me achieve my goals.

“I will also miss the friendships I formed during my time here as when I first joined Connell I didn't know anyone and was quite anxious about making friends. The welcoming environment made it easy to connect with others and create lasting relationships.”

When Jackson joined Co-op Academy Bebington in Year 7, he arrived with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and faced significant speech and pronunciation challenges. Now, as he prepares to leave Year 11, he has grown into a confident and independent young man who is a valued member of the school community.

Jackson is known for his positive attitude and self-confidence. When teachers tell him he has done well, his response is often a smile and a confident, "I know!"

He has built strong relationships with staff and students alike at Bebington, taking the time to check in with others and remembering details about the people around him. After completing a British Sign Language course, Jackson even spent some of his lunch breaks practising with staff and helping them improve their signing.

Jackson has embraced school life, particularly through his love of football, where he enjoys playing with his peers and encouraging others from the sidelines. He also completed work experience as a Teaching Assistant, proudly insisting everyone called him "Mr Cook" while helping staff with classroom technology.

His determination has been reflected in the classroom too. In Maths, he improved his score in the school's "2-Minute Challenge" by fourteen times compared to when he first started.

When Mike Jones and Ethan Rowlands were in Key Stage 3, mainstream education presented significant challenges. Disengaged from learning, both struggled with attendance, punctuality and behaviour, making it difficult to see the value of education. Recognising the social and educational barriers they faced, the ISAP (Inclusion Support and Alternative Provision) panel enrolled them onto the Elevate Programme at the end of Year 9, providing the opportunity for a fresh start.

Built around overcoming barriers to learning, the Elevate Programme combines personalised teaching with strong emotional support to help students thrive. Through a tailored curriculum and positive relationships with staff, Mike and Ethan quickly transformed their attitudes to school. Now in Year 11, both have attendance above 95%, excellent punctuality, zero negative behaviour points and a dramatic increase in positive behaviour points.

Their progress has also been reflected academically. Both were selected to join a mainstream maths intervention class and are on track to achieve their target grades in Maths and English GCSEs. Alongside this, they have completed ASDAN Level 1 qualifications in Personal and Social Development and Motor Vehicle Studies, discovering a passion for mechanical engineering and the automotive industry.

Congratulations to Mike and Ethan on their outstanding achievements. We wish them every success in their GCSEs and look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in sixth form.

Year 11 can be tough at the best of times, but Adiza had an extra challenge thrown her way during her GCSE courses at Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent when her family had to move house, leaving her living 25 miles away.

Changing schools at such a critical time wasn’t an option for Adiza, who was determined to stay at the academy to finish her exams with her friends and teachers. To support that dedication, the academy stepped in to do what matters most and provided her with a rail pass to help manage the journey.

A 50-mile round trip every single day takes a lot of stamina, but Adiza excelled. She made it every single day, showing up early before school to revise and staying late for after-school sessions. Even when she broke her arm in the middle of exam season, she kept her chin up and persevered, which is a reflection of her character.

Reflecting on her time at Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent, Adiza said: "Thank you so much to my teachers and the academy for all their support, I'm so pleased I was able to remain at the school for my GCSEs."

Adiza is a fantastic student and a highly valued part of the school community. Her story is a brilliant example of how we succeed together when hard work meets the right support. Now that exams are behind her, Adiza is planning to study Health and Social Care at college, and we have no doubt she will continue to shine.

Kareem is a student who has always thrown himself into every single opportunity available to him, leading by example and ultimately taking on the role of Head Boy. His dedication has led to some truly phenomenal achievements recently.

Kareem took part in the Universify programme and his dedication during the programme resulted in him being nominated for a prestigious award and invited to a special ceremony held at the House of Lords. Kareem also secured a life-changing boarding school scholarship to the prestigious Wellington College.

What makes these achievements even more impressive is how Kareem handles himself behind the scenes. Even when things haven't been easy, his work ethic and resilience have kept him progressing helping him to remain entirely focused on his goals.

Senior Leader, Mrs Drew, has been incredibly proud of his journey, she said: “It is with a great deal of pride that we celebrate Kareem's achievements. Throughout the five years Kareem has been a Co-op student he has worked incredibly hard and has been intent on being successful. He has experienced some difficulties at times but has been extremely resilient and has overcome them to become a stronger, more independent young person.”

He is leaving Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent with very clear aspirations and we wish him all the very best.

Atefa’s journey is an absolute inspiration and a shining example of what can be accomplished through passion and hard work. Having joined Co-op Academy Grange from Afghanistan, Atefa has flourished, adapting to a new environment with determination.

Her relentless work ethic and focus on her studies have rightfully earned her a place as one of the highest-achieving students in her entire year group. 

Atefa’s academic curiosity and ambition have taken her far beyond the standard curriculum. This year, she successfully took part in the prestigious Universify Programme, which included a residential stay at Oxford University, an experience that allowed her to sample life at a world-class institution and further fuelled her high aspirations.

From September, Atefa will take the next big step on her academic journey as she plans to head to college to study Mathematics and Sciences at A-Level, laying the groundwork for her ultimate goal: a future career in medicine. Given her extraordinary determination and drive to help others, there are no doubts that she will make a fantastic medical professional.

Throughout her time at Co-op Academy Leeds, Akida has been a shining example of resilience and growth. From her start in Year 7, she developed a passion for Physical Education, demonstrating a positive attitude both within the academy and through her involvement in sport outside of school.

Like many young people, Akida faced some challenges but she has been determined to learn from these experiences. Through hard work and maturity, she has continuously strived to be the best version of herself, growing into an outstanding role model and a highly respected member of the academy community.

As an ambassador for PE, Akida has represented the academy in football, netball and athletics, consistently displaying fantastic sportsmanship while also supporting younger students.

Akida has also worked incredibly hard throughout Sports Studies, applying herself fully to both the practical and theoretical aspects of the qualification. Her commitment to her studies during Year 11 has been unparalleled. She has worked tirelessly, attending every revision session and holiday class, and completing every additional task possible to achieve her best this summer. 

Akida’s  journey is a true testament to the power of resilience and personal growth and we wish her every success as she continues on her educational journey.

Throughout his time at Co-op Academy Leeds, Hamzah has been an example of kindness and determination. With aspirations of becoming a game developer, he has consistently demonstrated a passion for both Computer Science and Art, combining his creativity and technical skills.

Hamzah’s journey through secondary school has been marked by perseverance and a commitment to self-improvement. Recognising Mathematics as a subject he found particularly challenging, he refused to let this become a barrier and has worked hard to strengthen his understanding and make significant progress.

Beyond his academic achievements, Hamzah has fully embraced academy life, taking part in extracurricular activities, attending revision sessions and bringing laughter to those around him with his trademark sarcasm. He leaves the school having become a well-respected member of the year group.

Hamzah has never allowed challenges to define him or stand in the way of becoming the best version of himself. Instead, he has approached every opportunity with enthusiasm, determination and a desire to grow. 

We are incredibly proud of everything he has achieved during his time at Co-op Academy Leeds and look forward to seeing where his talents take him next. 

Very few pupils demonstrate the Co-op Ways of Being “Be Yourself, Always” more than Lyndon. He is a kind, compassionate and hardworking young man with a fabulous sense of humour. 

Since joining Co-op Academy Priesthorpe, he has made enormous progress in learning to understand all aspects of himself, including his strengths and difficulties, and has learned to develop strategies to help him overcome the significant barriers to learning that his autism presents. He has learned to manage his sensory needs, social anxieties and emotional regulation well and is now ready to succeed in the next steps he takes.

He has a very strong sense of right and wrong and has become a vocal advocate for vulnerable peers. He is a proud advocate for other autistic students in the academy and is generous with his time to support younger peers within the Oasis area of the academy giving them both friendship and advice. 

Despite having been told at primary school that he would not be able to complete any exams due to his struggles with focus and learning, he has become extremely diligent in his studies and has independently built a detailed revision timetable for himself which has followed religiously even at weekends and in school holidays.

Every student's path through school is unique, but some young people face hurdles that require extraordinary personal strength. Kamran’s journey at Co-op Academy Priesthorpe shows what can be achieved when determination meets targeted support.

During his time at Priesthorpe, Kamran faced profound personal challenges, leaving his family home to live with his grandparents. Just as he was settling in, his grandfather sadly passed away from cancer. Struggling with grief, his school engagement dropped, and his future looked increasingly uncertain.

Recognising these barriers, the school’s pastoral team stepped in, utilising the Bridge Alternative Provision (AP). The Bridge offered a structured, safe space away from traditional classroom pressures to help Kamran process his loss, anger and rebuild his confidence. As academy routines wrapped around him, he bounced back with admirable maturity, taking total ownership of his future.

Today, things look very different. He successfully transitioned back to mainstream classes and is projected to achieve Grade 4s or better across all of his GCSE subjects.

From personal loss to achieving academic success alongside his military future, Kamran embodies resilience. The entire Priesthorpe community is incredibly proud of him, and look forward to watching him earn his maroon beret.