Co-op Academy Priesthope had the privilege of visit from Co-op group CEO Steve Murrells this week, writes Dan Sheard.
Being a CEO of a multi-million pound organisation means Mr Murrells’ diary is packed full of engagements and meetings on a daily basis, sometimes booked in weeks and month in advance, however for that morning Steve put his duties to one side to pay a visit to the academy.
After hearing of the work staff and students at the academy had done around incorporating the Co-op ‘ways of being’ into their own academy values, Mr Murrells was keen to come and see how everything was coming together. The Co-op group embeds its four ways of being in all areas of its organisation, the ways of being are:
- Be yourself always
- Show you care
- Succeed together
- Do what matters most
Staff and students adopted the ways of being and created their own set of academy values, a set of values all staff and students live by on a day to day basis at the academy to help all enjoy positive experiences at work and in learning.
During the visit Steve was joined by Co-op Academies Director Frank Norris and Priesthorpe Chair of Governors Rachael Bickerstaff.
During the visit the trio watched lessons and met with staff and the academy student council to discuss the pivotal role they had played in developing and launching the values. The values were developed to ensure both the work and learning environment at the academy are as positive as they can be for all.
Students and staff spoke of the positive impact the values have had on the climate for learning and of the positive group ethos that has been created by the values and Co-op ways of being.
Co-op Academy Priesthorpe Principal Martin Blacoe said:
“Steve’s visit was a genuine privilege for Priesthorpe, and offered a great opportunity for him to see, first hand, how, as an academy and community, we are working incredibly hard, every day, to bring co-operative values to life.
“It also gave us chance to listen to Steve talk about the broader work taking place across the Co-op group, centred upon fostering and developing these very same values.”
____________
We encourage anyone living or working in West Leeds to use this website to tell their news. You can either use our Create an Article page, or e-mail us at news@westleedsdispatch.com.