Portland proud to be part of transformative ‘Cradle to Career’ project
Co-op Academy Portland is one of the partners involved in a pioneering North Birkenhead initiative hailed as a potential blueprint for transforming outcomes in left behind communities.
A new study by the University of Manchester found “much to be celebrated” in the achievements of Cradle to Career North Birkenhead since the launch of the ambitious 20-year programme in 2021.
Co-operation is at the heart of everything we do at Portland, and so it was natural for us to work with a wide range of organisations across the neighbourhood, share our ideas and good practice and work together to achieve measurable improvements in education, family support, and social cohesion.
Many of these Cradle to Career activities aim to drive significant changes in how local services operate, placing community priorities and family needs at the heart of decision-making.
We think that the results of the project offer valuable insights for other areas facing similar challenges across the UK.
The Cradle to Career Project at Co-op Academy Portland
Families at Portland have seen the impact on literacy, early years development, transition support, SEND initiatives, and attendance monitoring.
Legacy Literacy Work and NGRT Testing
The New Group Reading Test (NGRT) has been instrumental in tracking reading progress across Years 4-6. These tests help identify areas of strength and areas for improvement, ensuring targeted interventions for individual student
The Library
This initiative is designed to foster a love of reading, enhance literacy skills, and increase engagement in the learning process.
Early Years Development
Co-op Academy Portland has been focusing on developing early language skills and ensuring children’s readiness for learning. The training session led by Dr. Helen Bibby focused on “understanding the room through my eyes,” addressed autism, SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities), and suitable adjustments in whole-class practice. This phase has ensured that early years practitioners have the knowledge and skills necessary to support all children, including those with SEND, from the very beginning of their learning journey.
Transition and SEND Work
The Transition Surveys are critical tools to track Year 6 students’ concerns and ensure their smooth transition to secondary school. These surveys include the START questionnaire, filled out by the Year 6 teacher, and the Pupil Concerns questionnaire, which is completed by the students themselves. Additionally, we have gained extra funding through the project for additional mental health support for children and families.
SENCo Network and Training
The SENCo Network offers regular training and termly meetings to ensure that SEND practitioners remain up-to-date with best practices. Co-op Academy Portland has been actively involved in this network, ensuring the SEND team is well-equipped to support students with special educational needs. This initiative provides ongoing professional development for SEND staff, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge to support all students.
Attendance Project
We are participating in the University of Manchester's Attendance Project to improve pupil attendance across the school. By participating in this project, the school aims to address attendance challenges and ensure that every pupil is given the opportunity to succeed.
Education Working Group
The Education Working Group provides Co-op Academy Portland with an opportunity to engage with other schools and educational leaders to discuss progress and share best practices. These meetings ensure that the school’s efforts are aligned with the broader objectives of the Cradle to Career project and offer valuable opportunities for collaboration and reflection.
These initiatives around literacy, early years development, SEND support, and transition have strengthened the school’s educational offerings. Ongoing training and data collection will continue to guide improvements in student outcomes, ensuring that all pupils, regardless of their background or needs, have the support and resources they need to succeed.
Further reading
You can read more about the study in the Birkenhead News here.