Dear Parents and Carers,
It is with great pride and a deep sense of responsibility that I write to you as the Headteacher of Newbridge Learning Community. I am truly honoured to be joining this remarkable school and community as the Headteacher, and I’m very much looking forward to ensuring we, as a school team, get the best out of our pupils as well as looking forward to working in partnership with yourselves, as parents and carers over the coming months and years.
Since the very beginning of my career in Special Education over 20 years ago, I have been driven by one simple belief: every child has extraordinary potential. At Newbridge, it is our role as a team to uncover those hidden strengths and talents, and to nurture them every single day. Our pupils are capable of far more than they realise, and together, with your support, we will help them discover that truth for themselves.
At the heart of our school is compassion. We lead with care, patience and Unconditional Positive Regard meeting every child where they are, without judgement, and walking side by side with them on their journey. We are creating a school environment where every young person feels safe, accepted, encouraged and truly valued. And that doesn’t happen in isolation it takes a strong team working together: staff, pupils, families, governors and the wider community.
We want Newbridge Learning Community to feel like a school family, built on trusting relationships, warm connections and a shared commitment to your child’s wellbeing and success. Our dedicated staff are here not only to teach but to listen, support and stand beside your children with belief and encouragement, especially when they need it most.
Our vision for learning is simple: it should be engaging, exciting and meaningful. We aim to deliver outstanding, personalised teaching that meets every pupil’s needs and celebrates every achievement, no matter how small. Our curriculum is built on the principles of nurture, informed by a deep understanding of trauma, and with a school-wide focus on developing strong literacy and numeracy skills, which unlock access to the wider world.
As a team, we hold high aspirations for every young person at Newbridge. From the moment they walk through our doors in Year 7, our goal is to build their confidence, ignite their curiosity, and support them to leave us not only with the best qualifications possible but as kind, resilient and capable individuals.
Learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door; the personal development of every pupil is essential. With this in mind, we offer a wide and vibrant range of enrichment activities that give pupils the chance to explore new passions, develop life skills and build powerful memories. From music and performance, to sports and team events, creative arts, Duke of Edinburgh, school trips, focus days, work experiences and outdoor adventures these experiences are transformational. They help pupils believe in themselves, develop a “can-do” mindset and help them to work as a team.
One of the most important parts of our approach is listening, really listening to our pupils. We are building a culture where their voices are heard, their ideas are valued and their contributions make a difference. We want our young people to feel a genuine sense of ownership over their school experience, and see how their input can help shape positive change.
Our values guide everything we do at Newbridge, and we will live them out together:
Compassion
Showing kindness, empathy, respect and encouragement to ourselves and to each other.
Community
Working together, building trust, creating shared memories and learning from one another.
Courage
Facing challenges, speaking up, trying new things, and being brave enough to ask for help.
Competence
Growing our confidence, communication, problem-solving, and striving to be our best.
As someone who grew up in Wigan myself, in a community not unlike the one many of our families live in today, I understand the importance of empathy, humility and staying grounded. I am a parent too, and I know how much you care about your child’s future. That is why I want to work with you, in true partnership, to make sure your child feels supported, believed in and inspired throughout their time at Newbridge Learning Community.
Our most important resource in achieving all of this is people. Our incredible staff team, our pupils, our governors, the Local Authority and you, our parents and carers. Together, we are stronger and together, we can provide an education that transforms lives for generations to come.
It is a genuine privilege to be leading this next chapter in the story of Newbridge Learning Community. I am incredibly proud to be part of a team that is committed, caring and full of belief in what our young people can achieve.
I look forward to walking this journey with you, and to showing your children the true meaning of our school motto:
“We are all better than we know.”
With warmest regards,
Paul Appleton, Headteacher of Newbridge Learning Community