Oldham Academies join forces in bid to secure forthcoming GCSE success
Students from Oldham academies participated in a series of E-ACT student conferences at Waterhead Academy to prepare for their GCSEs, focusing initially on English Literature and Language. The collaborative effort involves multiple academies and expert teaching staff, with upcoming sessions planned for Maths and Science.
Year 11 Pupils Gear Up for GCSEs at E-ACT’s First Cross-Academy Conference
Thirty targeted students from four northern academies gathered at Waterhead Academy in Oldham for the launch of a new series of E-ACT conferences designed to boost GCSE performance. The inaugural sessions focused on English Literature and English Language, bringing together pupils from The Oldham Academy North, Royton and Crompton Academy, Parkwood Academy in Sheffield, and host school Waterhead Academy.
Expert English specialists Gemma Cottingham, Headteacher of Royton and Crompton Academy, and Emma O’Malley, Head of English at TOAN, led the focused learning sessions. The conferences provided tailored guidance and essential revision techniques to help students prepare for their upcoming exams.
“Seeing students from different schools come together to learn has been incredibly rewarding,” said Gemma Cottingham. “These conferences aren’t just about revision; they’re about building confidence, encouraging shared ideas, and giving students a chance to hear expert guidance in a fresh and exciting way.”
The programme continues throughout March with additional sessions covering Maths Foundation (10 March), Maths Higher (14 March), Physics (19 March), Statistics Higher (25 March), and Statistics Foundation (27 March). Waterhead Academy, currently in the process of joining E-ACT, served as the host venue for these collaborative learning events.
Student feedback highlighted the value of cross-school collaboration. Eesha commented: “I really enjoyed the Year 11 English literature conference. It was great to talk to about Macbeth, Unseen Poetry and hear everyone’s thoughts. It was also really fun having other students from the other schools and hearing their opinions.”
James Wilson, Principal at Waterhead Academy, emphasized the benefits of the trust-wide initiative: “It’s a privilege to host these conferences here in Oldham. Already, we can see the benefits of being part of the E-ACT community, as students and staff from different academies work together towards a shared goal.”
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