Kevin Buchanan, Director of Education at EdStart Schools and headteacher at their Wirral, Oldham and Rochdale sites, has represented the organisation at two significant events focusing on young people and education.

He attended a celebration at Buckingham Palace hosted by The Duke of Edinburgh, recognising thousands of young people who completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award. The award involves volunteering, skills development, physical activity and an expedition, and the event brought together participants from across the UK.

EdStart Schools operates specialist independent schools in Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Bolton, Bury, Manchester and the Wirral, supporting young people who have struggled in mainstream education, often due to social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs. Students at EdStart currently take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award, and Buchanan attended the celebration as part of the organisation’s involvement with the programme.

At EdStart, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is embedded within its “Building Brilliant 16-Year-Olds” approach, which helps students build confidence, independence and life skills as they prepare for adulthood. The Bronze Award is a key step in that journey for Oldham and Rochdale students.

Kevin Buchanan said: “It was inspiring to see so many young people recognised for their achievement and resilience. At EdStart, we’re proud to support our students through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze level as part of helping them build confidence, independence and ambition for the future.”

Buchanan also attended an education sector gathering in London, where Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson spoke with leaders about SEND reform, the Schools White Paper and wider pressures facing schools. The event brought together education leaders to discuss inclusion, the new Ofsted framework and funding pressures across the system—issues that EdStart Schools engages with daily across its sites, including in Oldham and Rochdale.

He added that both events reinforced his belief that EdStart Schools’ work sits firmly within the national conversation about what education can and should achieve for every child. “I’m proud to represent our organisation in these spaces,” he said.