Media centre
3<p>The SSAT media centre is aimed at journalists looking for information about the SSAT and its programmes in the UK and overseas. You can register below to receive press releases by email.</p>1 The SSAT media centre is aimed at journalists looking for information about the SSAT and its programmes in the UK and overseas. You can register below to receive press releases by email.
3<p>
<strong>Media contact</strong> </p>
<p>For media-related enquiries, please contact:</p>
<p>Michael Turner, Media Relations Manager <br />Direct line: 020 7802 2334 <br />Mobile: 07738 487909 <br />Email: <a href="mailto:michael.turner@ssatrust.org.uk">michael.turner@ssatrust.org.uk</a></p>
<p>Chris Sealey, Press Officer <br />Direct line: 020 7802 0931 <br />Mobile: 07738 195746 <br />Email: <a href="mailto:chris.sealey@ssatrust.org.uk">chris.sealey@ssatrust.org.uk</a> </p>4
Media contact
For media-related enquiries, please contact:
Michael Turner, Media Relations Manager
Direct line: 020 7802 2334
Mobile: 07738 487909
Email: michael.turner@ssatrust.org.uk
Chris Sealey, Press Officer
Direct line: 020 7802 0931
Mobile: 07738 195746
Email: chris.sealey@ssatrust.org.uk
27Latest press releases<p>
</p>51525What it takes to be an academy principalAcademy principals need to be entrepreneurial, innovative and passionate, research from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust shows.10 Jul 2008 1831Statement by the CouncilThe Council of the SSAT, at its meeting on Monday 24 April 2006, discussed the recent press coverage concerning a former SSAT Council member and agreed to make a press statement.26 Apr 2006 2806Specialist schools outperform non-specialistSpecialist schools continue to transform secondary education and perform better than non-specialist schools on every comparison, says a new report published.07 Apr 2006 3804North Pole expedition to raise cool millionGraham Howe, the Chairman of Promethean, is preparing to walk 100 miles in 10 days for children with learning difficulties07 Apr 2006 4753Schools join international networkSchools gathered in Cardiff today to celebrate their achievements and to attend the launch of iNet Wales, a network of highly innovative schools...08 Mar 2006 51525What it takes to be an academy principalAcademy principals need to be entrepreneurial, innovative and passionate, research from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust shows.10 Jul 2008 2008-07-10T08:33:46.7630000+01:001524Schools rewarded for food and farming challengeStudents at nine schools across England have been recognised for improving their knowledge of food and farming after taking part in a Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) competition.07 Jul 2008 2008-07-07T12:05:36.5130000+01:001523Link to spark students' interest in scienceSpecialist science colleges are helping ignite students’ love of science, increase the take-up of the subject and find the next generation of teachers through their innovative approaches and links with universities.03 Jul 2008 2008-07-03T10:38:54.4030000+01:001522Prime Minister delivers SSAT’s 12th Annual LectureNearly 500 school leaders, educationalists and business sponsors gathered in London to listen to the Prime Minister deliver the SSAT’s 12th Annual Lecture on 23 June 2008.27 Jun 2008 2008-06-27T14:42:07.5300000+01:001512Teachers gather for innovative education showOver 1,000 school leaders have attended the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust’s (SSAT) first ever Achievement Show.20 Jun 2008 2008-06-20T13:16:14.8270000+01:00151179 schools awarded specialist status A further 79 schools have achieved specialist status, it has been announced today. 92% of all maintained secondary schools are now specialist and 33 local authorities are one hundred percent specialist.18 Jun 2008 2008-06-18T14:26:40.1070000+01:001510Reforming the school workforce raises standardsNew research shows that school staff don’t have to just keep working harder to raise achievement – there are other things that can be done.10 Jun 2008 2008-06-10T10:34:21.3270000+01:001508Full-time Mum goes back to school and wins awardMarie Theresa Harvey, aged 46, from Birmingham, has escaped an abusive background by taking literacy and numeracy courses and become a role model to her 8 children.13 May 2008 2008-05-13T10:49:40.1400000+01:001507Educational organisations link to boost learningThe Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has partnered with an innovative all-through schools organisation to help school children’s development.08 May 2008 2008-05-08T09:02:13.5130000+01:001505Data key to allowing teachers to know pupilsGood data can be as important as good leadership and good teaching in helping low-attaining schools to improve their results, a Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) report has found. 01 May 2008 2008-05-01T10:46:05.4030000+01:001502Schools rewarded for value-added successSpecialist schools and academies have been recognised by the SSAT for adding value to students’ GCSE achievements. The awards coincide with the publication of the SSAT’s Educational Outcomes report. 25 Apr 2008 2008-04-25T15:37:49.1870000+01:001495Recognition for services to educationElizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Education in recognition of her services to education.07 Mar 2008 2008-03-07T17:11:50.2000000-00:001492Most improved schools recognised for their achieveSpecialist schools and academies have been recognised by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) for making outstanding improvements to their GCSE results in 2007.27 Feb 2008 2008-02-27T09:47:37.9670000-00:00148089 schools awarded specialist statusComment by Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust on the announcement by Schools Minister Andrew Adonis that a further 89 schools have been awarded specialist status.04 Feb 2008 2008-02-04T13:41:33.0430000-00:001464SSAT announces winner of Sponsor of the Year 2008The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has presented Leo Noe with its 2008 Sponsor of the Year Award.21 Jan 2008 2008-01-21T12:00:14.8900000-00:001440SSAT appoints new Board and new ChairmanFollowing a review of its corporate governance, the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has appointed a new Board which elected Sir James Hill to be its new Chairman.20 Dec 2007 2007-12-20T14:44:23.6870000-00:001431Children's PlanA comment on the Children’s Plan, launched by DCSF on 11 December 2007, by Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.13 Dec 2007 2007-12-13T13:18:27.6230000-00:001416Sir Terry Leahy urges the teaching of Chinese Sir Terry Leahy, Chief Executive of Tesco, will today urge schools to provide students with the opportunity to gain a basic understanding of Mandarin and Chinese culture to help UK business compete in the global economy.31 Oct 2007 2007-10-31T13:50:25.2630000-00:001413Statement on official GCSE statisticsComment by Philip O'Hear, Principal of Capital City Academy in Brent, speaking for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, on today's official GCSE results.18 Oct 2007 2007-10-18T14:31:54.5130000+01:001412SSAT welcomes Public Accounts Committee reportThe SSAT today welcomed a new report from the Public Accounts Committee on the Academies Programme.18 Oct 2007 2007-10-18T14:28:46.7800000+01:001388Academies recognised for innovationAcademies will be opening their doors to welcome business leaders, education experts and Government representatives, after being recognised for their innovative approach to boosting pupils’ achievement.28 Sep 2007 2007-09-28T12:00:47.0600000+01:001387Winning students celebrate competition successFive students from Greenford High School travelled to Beijing to celebrate winning a national competition and learn about Chinese culture.27 Sep 2007 2007-09-27T08:58:07.3900000+01:001385Learning in a globalised worldSchool leaders from around the world will meet in China this week at SSAT's 4th iNet International Conference to drive forward an agenda that ensures all students are equipped to live, learn and work in a globalised world.20 Sep 2007 2007-09-20T17:00:26.0130000+01:001335Young film enthusiasts put their work on displayBudding film directors will be putting their talents on display as they take part in the BBC’s 3rd Young Film Makers festival.16 Jul 2007 2007-07-16T11:55:38.1070000+01:001320Student attainment linked to parental engagementParents’ active engagement with their children’s learning is the most important long-term influence on academic success and behaviour, research shows.06 Jul 2007 2007-07-06T09:53:29.4830000+01:001313Confucius classrooms to boost teaching & learningFive schools have become the first Confucius Classrooms in the world, providing them with official approval to support other schools in the teaching and learning of the Chinese language and culture.04 Jul 2007 2007-07-04T09:38:00.1070000+01:001310Students visit China ahead of OlympicsStudents from England will be visiting schools in Beijing as part of an educational Olympics project that will involve the sharing of culture, language and sporting activities.02 Jul 2007 2007-07-02T14:55:06.7630000+01:001278Teachers share knowledge at humanities conferenceTeachers from across the country will be taking part in a humanities conference to share teaching methods and look at new ways of bringing important issues to the classroom.11 Jun 2007 2007-06-11T15:10:58.9370000+01:001275Teachers look at the future of SENA conference that will bring together Special Educational Needs teachers to discuss the future of SEN and its growth as a core and second school specialism will be held in Nottingham on 7 and 8 June.08 Jun 2007 2007-06-08T09:41:45.7970000+01:001249Inspiring Britain's Scientists, Annual LectureSecuring our next generation of scientists and the improving the teaching and learning of science in our schools were the main themes of the SSAT's 11th Annual Lecture, held at the Royal Society on 24 May.25 May 2007 2007-05-25T09:26:37.8400000+01:001242Toolkit to help schools developAn innovative toolkit to help schools redesign the way the National Curriculum is taught to their students has been released by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT).16 May 2007 2007-05-16T14:59:34.7630000+01:001230New qualification boosts standards in mathsThe Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and Edexcel have launched a new mathematics qualification that will provide students with the opportunity to learn maths within a vocational context.26 Apr 2007 2007-04-26T12:21:50.2170000+01:001229Celebrating innovation within educationThe 2007 Futures Vision Awards, which reward schools that make a difference to student learning through innovative and creative activities, have been launched to all academies and City Technology Colleges across England.25 Apr 2007 2007-04-25T10:33:19.3730000+01:001227Young chamber - the voice of young peopleA new initiative that gives young people a ‘voice’ in the process of business engagement is to be launched at the British Chambers of Commerce National Conference on 17 April.
16 Apr 2007 2007-04-16T13:41:06.7800000+01:001222RM supports 100 schools to become specialistRM, the leading supplier of ICT software and services to UK education, is to sponsor 100 schools applying for specialist status.03 Apr 2007 2007-04-03T15:53:30.3730000+01:001219SSAT discusses key issues at The Education ShowThe Education Show 2007 promises to be an excellent opportunity for those in the education sector to discover a wide range of solutions to the challenges they face.23 Mar 2007 2007-03-23T09:48:39.2800000-00:001217Positive impact on teaching & learning of languageThe SSAT welcomes the final report of the Dearing Review into language policy, published today, and believes it will have a positive impact on the teaching and learning of languages.
12 Mar 2007 2007-03-12T14:47:07.8900000-00:001214Specialist schools deliver long-term improvementsAnalysis of the 2006 GCSE results, published today, shows that the specialist schools programme is having a positive long-term impact on secondary school achievement...02 Mar 2007 2007-03-02T10:52:02.1530000-00:001211Elizabeth Reid receives Icebreaker AwardOn 15th February 2007 Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, was presented with an award from the 48 Group Club for her pioneering steps to expand the learning of the Chinese culture and language in schools. 19 Feb 2007 2007-02-19T13:59:59.3570000-00:00120420 years of SSAT and rise in standards continuesStatistics announced at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust’s 20th anniversary celebration at the Guildhall, London, show that specialist schools and academies continue to raise standards and outperform non-specialist schools.23 Jan 2007 2007-01-23T14:21:43.5130000-00:001201Inspiring the next generation of engineersInspiring the next generation of engineers and preparing schools and students for the launch of the specialised diploma in 2008 are two of the topics to be discussed by teachers in Wiltshire this week.16 Jan 2007 2007-01-16T13:44:10.0300000-00:001189Student's artwork to appear on Christmas cardA student from Queen’s Park High School in Chester has had her GCSE artwork chosen to be the design of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust’s 2006 Christmas card, which will be sent to schools and organisations across the world.11 Dec 2006 2006-12-11T16:16:57.0130000-00:001183Parents engage with schools to raise achievementA national campaign to encourage and support school leaders to harness the untapped energy of parents to help raise student achievement will be the focus of the workshop Every Parent Matters at the SSAT’s National Conference in Birmingham this week (29 November). 04 Dec 2006 2006-12-04T13:50:28.7330000-00:001182PM speech: education is the most precious gift In his speech to the National Conference, the Rt Hon Tony Blair, MP, the Prime Minister reflected on the progress schools have made in the past decade and some of the key issues in education today...01 Dec 2006 2006-12-01T10:23:36.8400000-00:001178Teachers reshape schooling for the 21st centuryTeachers will meet in Birmingham this week to discuss how schooling can be reshaped for the 21st century to ensure standards continue to rise and all students experience a first class education system.28 Nov 2006 2006-11-28T15:16:49.0600000-00:001173Students encouraged to be enterprisingTo help prepare students for the workplace and to ensure they have the core skills needed to succeed, schools across the country will be holding a wide range of events and activities during Enterprise Week.16 Nov 2006 2006-11-16T15:05:38.2630000-00:001159International education conferenceAn international conference to bring together educators, policy advisers and Governments to address how school leaders can raise achievement and promote sustainable innovation, will begin in Boston, Massachusetts today.02 Nov 2006 2006-11-02T15:15:14.0900000-00:001144International student teams to design websitesUK Students aged 9 to 19 are being encouraged to collaborate with their peers across the globe and create educational websites as part of ThinkQuest UK, a competition launched today (16 October).17 Oct 2006 2006-10-17T15:03:55.7330000+01:001137Chinese schools join international networkPartnerships between schools in China and those from other nations have been strengthened following the launch of an international network of schools in China and the signing of a formal agreement between the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and UNESCO Beijing, an organisation responsible for promoting international understanding in Beijing schools.02 Oct 2006 2006-10-02T14:03:54.0900000+01:001136School bus tour celebrates creativity & enterpriseLeaders from the world of business, industry and education will be visiting schools across the country as part of a two-week bus tour, starting on 2 October.29 Sep 2006 2006-09-29T15:36:19.3900000+01:001135Student conference run by students, for studentsOver 200 students from 50 schools gathered on Wednesday (27 October) to share learning and school experiences and to look at ways of improving their education. The conference was arranged by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust but designed and run by the students themselves. 29 Sep 2006 2006-09-29T15:36:01.5600000+01:001109Damien Hirst announces winners of Arts CompetitionA new, annual exhibition and competition profiling Britain’s rising arts talent is launched at Christie’s by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.01 Sep 2006 2006-09-01T14:20:47.9200000+01:00932100 more specialist schools – KnightSpecialist schools continue to raise standards, said Schools Minister Jim Knight today as he congratulated the 100 schools across the country that have been successful in their bid for specialist status.04 Jul 2006 2006-07-04T12:36:02.2500000+01:00925London's students have their sayNearly 200 students from 56 London schools will gather in the Capital on Wednesday to share learning and school experiences and to look at ways of improving their education.28 Jun 2006 2006-06-28T10:22:33.8270000+01:00921New Zealand schools join international networkSchools across New Zealand gathered this week to discuss the challenges of 21st century education and attend the launch of iNet New Zealand, part of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust’s international arm iNet.19 Jun 2006 2006-06-19T10:57:59.9200000+01:00919Adding up to a lifetimeAdding up to a Lifetime, an initiative by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and supported by Prudential plc, introducing financial capability into the curriculum and preparing students for different stages of their life.13 Jun 2006 2006-06-13T09:10:05.5770000+01:00874A celebration of the arts in educationSchools are raising standards across the curriculum through the arts, with innovative activities and productive partnerships between schools, business and the community leading the way. 16 May 2006 2006-05-16T14:55:19.2500000+01:00831Statement by the CouncilThe Council of the SSAT, at its meeting on Monday 24 April 2006, discussed the recent press coverage concerning a former SSAT Council member and agreed to make a press statement.26 Apr 2006 2006-04-26T13:53:45.8730000+01:00806Specialist schools outperform non-specialistSpecialist schools continue to transform secondary education and perform better than non-specialist schools on every comparison, says a new report published.07 Apr 2006 2006-04-07T11:27:39.9200000+01:00804North Pole expedition to raise cool millionGraham Howe, the Chairman of Promethean, is preparing to walk 100 miles in 10 days for children with learning difficulties07 Apr 2006 2006-04-07T11:06:09.6230000+01:00753Schools join international networkSchools gathered in Cardiff today to celebrate their achievements and to attend the launch of iNet Wales, a network of highly innovative schools...08 Mar 2006 2006-03-08T15:38:44.4200000-00:00714Schools celebrate specialist successMore students will benefit from better opportunities in education following yesterday’s announcement by the government that a further 123 schools have been awarded specialist status...03 Feb 2006 2006-02-03T12:51:41.2170000-00:00706Trust & LSDA bring the industry into vGCSEsThe Trust and the Learning and Skills Development Agency are supporting GCSEs in vocational subjects through a series of workshops in February.17 Jan 2006 2006-01-17T14:03:41.2500000-00:00703First cohort of vocational schools confirmedThe first cohort of 46 trailblazing vocational specialist schools has now been confirmed. Vocational innovation and excellence will be celebrated and championed by these schools as well as the Trust.16 Jan 2006 2006-01-16T09:17:11.6700000-00:00696Trust to play full part at BETT showThe Specialist Schools and Academies Trust will play a full part at BETT (Olympia, 11-14 Jan). As well as unveiling a new partnership with Sciencescope, the Trust is hosting seminars and running presentations...10 Jan 2006 2006-01-10T11:20:19.4500000-00:00692Dame Mary Richardson becomes a FellowA special presentation saw Dame Mary Richardson become a Fellow of the Trust12 Dec 2005 2005-12-12T11:41:56.5300000-00:00687Conference brings schools and universities closer 05 Dec 2005 2005-12-05T11:56:55.8900000-00:00679Response to Youth Matters Green Paper15 Nov 2005 2005-11-15T12:33:56.0900000-00:00676Weston Foundation gives £1m grant to the Trust01 Nov 2005 2005-11-01T17:52:05.6530000-00:00663SSA Trust launches vocational learning website27 Oct 2005 2005-10-27T09:00:00.0000000+01:00665SSA Trust welcomes education white paper25 Oct 2005 2005-10-25T10:28:16.2330000+01:00638Advice on school admissions for specialist schools04 Oct 2005 2005-10-04T12:19:19.3730000+01:00601Trust extends support for academies programme28 Sep 2005 2005-09-28T14:45:44.1400000+01:00555Award tour celebrates schools using ICT22 Sep 2005 2005-09-22T10:00:00.0000000+01:00556Adding value in vocational courses21 Sep 2005 2005-09-21T08:19:28.6070000+01:00553High-performing specialist schools15 Sep 2005 2005-09-15T15:57:47.6070000+01:00546Schools to take on new specialist element02 Sep 2005 2005-09-02T09:34:26.0900000+01:005432005 GCSE results - Headline figures 25 Aug 2005 2005-08-25T16:05:20.1530000+01:00541New vocational qualification for young animators04 Aug 2005 2005-08-04T10:08:02.7330000+01:00522Arcadia boss is Sponsor of the Year04 Jul 2005 2005-07-04T11:28:05.4830000+01:00518Schools conference to highlight business links28 Jun 2005 2005-06-28T11:01:44.7170000+01:00517More schools achieve specialist schools status27 Jun 2005 2005-06-27T14:29:21.9030000+01:00510Education leaders in birthday honours14 Jun 2005 2005-06-14T12:35:36.5000000+01:00507World education leaders to meet in Holland07 Jun 2005 2005-06-07T17:07:17.1530000+01:00506Free schools pack will bring industry alive07 Jun 2005 2005-06-07T09:20:41.3730000+01:00502How collaboration helped to transform two schools03 Jun 2005 2005-06-03T11:08:34.8270000+01:00490Sir Cyril Taylor's speech on independent schoolsRemarks of Sir Cyril Taylor to the Independent Schools Conference in Brighton23 May 2005 2005-05-23T11:44:49.2930000+01:00485Celebratory dinners for high-achievers18 May 2005 2005-05-18T16:42:55.6700000+01:00452Trust welcomes languages announcement16 Mar 2005 2005-03-16T11:14:40.2930000-00:00450Government school standards adviser to take up new03 Mar 2005 2005-03-03T17:28:37.0430000-00:00449Making the grade: celebrating 2000 schools02 Mar 2005 2005-03-02T14:29:30.4030000-00:00447Putting community on the map24 Feb 2005 2005-02-24T15:16:44.8730000-00:00445Specialist Schools Trust welcomes White Paper23 Feb 2005 2005-02-23T16:28:26.9200000-00:00428Specialist schools dominate Ofsted's 'outstanding'04 Feb 2005 2005-02-04T16:49:38.3900000-00:00420Specialist schools target met early26 Jan 2005 2005-01-26T11:21:24.9030000-00:00419Microsoft partners with Specialist Schools Trust26 Jan 2005 2005-01-26T10:50:30.1400000-00:00418Specialist schools make up high-achievers25 Jan 2005 2005-01-25T16:10:56.7330000-00:00416World class language skills for London20 Jan 2005 2005-01-20T17:07:36.8570000-00:00412Formula 1 in Schools Challenge20 Jan 2005 2005-01-20T14:46:10.0600000-00:00405Specialist schools outperform non-specialists12 Jan 2005 2005-01-12T10:46:47.0600000-00:00 
Latest press releases
What it takes to be an academy principal
| 10 Jul 2008
Academy principals need to be entrepreneurial, innovative and passionate, research from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust shows.
Schools rewarded for food and farming challenge
| 07 Jul 2008
Students at nine schools across England have been recognised for improving their knowledge of food and farming after taking part in a Specialist Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT) competition.
Link to spark students' interest in science
| 03 Jul 2008
Specialist science colleges are helping ignite students’ love of science, increase the take-up of the subject and find the next generation of teachers through their innovative approaches and links with universities.
3More press releases<p>To search or browse through the complete list of archived press releases please go to the <a href="http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/newsroom/newsarchive/default.aspa">press release archive</a>. </p>6 More press releases
To search or browse through the complete list of archived press releases please go to the press release archive.
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