Archived News

Foundation secures NESTA funding for innovative regeneration projects The Aldridge Foundation is one of only 16 organisations to secure funding from the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) as part of their Neighbourhood Challenge project. The Foundation will use the funding to build the Entrepreneurial Community Fund, which will help drive forward regeneration projects in Darwen, Lancashire and Falmer in Brighton. Honor Wilson Fletcher, the Aldridge Foundation Directo...

Six DACA students have undertaken the enormous challenge of writing a novel in a month, as part of the Young Writers Programme. The students had prepared for the November challenge since May, by attending regular weekly writing workshops in the LRC. They joined thousands of other students worldwide who also took part in the exciting project which tested their creativity and endurance to the limit.

DACA’s first Entrepreneurship Career Academy has been a great success. The sixth form programme of study is equivalent to 3 A Levels. Enhancement and support is provided through business mentors and inspirational lectures, visits and seminars.

We have selected our Year 11 Lead Students and the Head Boy and Head Girl for 2010-2011 Each student candidate produced a promotional video about themselves which was screened around the Academy. Teachers and students were invited to vote, resulting in John Meadowcroft and Zoe Harrison (pictured) being selected as our Senior Lead Students. During the presentation assembly both John and Zoe accepted their roles gracefully, as Head Boy and Head Girl, and invited their fellow lead students to join ...

This is the DACA team which has edited the winter edition of The Entrepreneur. Helping to produce The Entrepreneur requires dedication, independent research and most importantly, people skills. Not only does The Entrepreneur act as a fun and exciting project but it also helps to teach essential entrepreneurial expertise.

DACA students have been learning how television and radio programmes are made during a visit to the BBC regional television centre for the North West. The thirteen students also had chance to visit the interactive studio where they had a go at presenting the weather and starring in their very own radio drama, complete with sound effects! The tour was part of the Stand out in Darwen project and it gave the students an insight into the many programmes originating from the BBC.

Would you like to be a Partner in Business? We are currently looking for a number of business volunteers to provide lectures and workshops, offer company tours and paid internship placements as part of our 6th Form Entrepreneurship Career Academy. The Entrepreneurship Career Academy is a national charity which aims to raise the aspirations and educational achievements of young people aged 16-19.

DACA EUROPEAN EXCHANGE PROGRAMME As part of Darwen Aldridge Community Academy’s successful bid to join the European Comenius School Exchange Programme, 20 pupils from Year 8 & 9 and 3 teachers went to Paris to stay with their French Exchange pupils and teachers. Pupils flew from Manchester to Paris on December 1st returning 5 days later . Pupils language skills benefited greatly from being hosted by French families and all were able to sample French cooking and way of life.