Children from One in a Million’s Athletics programme had a fantastic trip to the UK Indoor Athletics Championships in Sheffield.

The children got to see some of  Great Britain’s 2012 Olympic hopefuls in action and managed to come away with some souvenirs!

Jessica Ennis won the 60m hurdles with a Stadium Record, JJ Jegede jumped 7.96m for a Stadium Record and an indoor Personal Best and Dwain Chambers won the 60m, despite falling head first through the railings at the end.

Most of the children managed to meet and get an autograph from at least one well known athlete. Joe managed to get Dwain Chambers to sign his new spikes, though I’m not sure if he’ll be wearing them in the future!

Hannah England (1500m Silver medallist, 2011 World Championships), Jessica Ennis, Mark Lewis-Francis and Christian Malcolm all gave autographs.

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly Megan and James spotting the 1992 Olympic Men’s 100m Champion, Linford Christie, and getting an autograph and a photograph.

It was a fantastic trip for everyone involved.

One in a Million are celebrating after another impressive performance at the West Yorkshire Sportshall Athletics Trials.

It was the highest number of children and young people that the charity, which runs its programme from Richard Dunn Sports Centre, had ever entered into the trials.

Toks Adeniji, One in a Million’s Athletics Co-ordinator, said: “They all competed well and enjoyed what was a tough competition. All the children achieved PBs (Personal Best) in at least one event, which will go towards their Decathlon Award.”

Those that qualified to represent West Yorkshire from the One in a Million athletics programme were: Lucy Tattersfield (Under-11 Girls), Benjamin Adeniji (Under-11 Boys), Megan Ascough, Ambah Thompson(Both Under-13 Girls) & Tobi Adeniji (Under-13 Boys).

Well done to all who took part and good luck to those who will be representing West Yorkshire!

Following proposals put forward to the Department for Education and approval by the Secretary of State for Education, we are delighted to announce the opening of the One in a Million Free School in September 2012.

Our School

The One in a Million Free School will be a small school with small class sizes, excellent teachers and strong discipline. The concept of our school is based on the highly successful US Charter School model and Free Schools in Sweden.

The overall aim of the One in a Million Free School will be to ensure that each individual pupil has the chance to flourish and succeed, regardless of ability or background.

Vision

The “Hub and Spoke” Model links the One in a Million Free School (hub) with our existing and expanding range of Community Education projects (spokes).

This “Wheel of Hope” vision will place our Free School at the heart of all that the charity does and ensure that our education projects reach as many young people as possible.

Curriculum

The One in a Million Free School will offer vocational education centred around three key areas of Sports, Arts and Enterprise with a strong emphasis on numeracy and literacy.

All students will follow a broad and balanced curriculum, involving practical learning experiences and key skills for employability.

Students will also have opportunities to gain formal and professionally orientated qualifications and certification.

Values

Our Free School will have a real family approach so that everyone will know each other and be connected. We always take into account the student’s family and social background as well as their educational needs.

Each student will be known and understood by our Free School team so that they can be taught more effectively and will have every opportunity to flourish and succeed.

Parents

We would love to hear from parents who would be interested in sending their children to the One in a Million Free School next September as one of the Bradford choices of secondary school.

We will be opening with a year seven intake of 50 students so if you have a child moving up to secondary school and would seriously consider sending them to the One in a Million Free School then please contact us on 01274 723439 or sign-up online.

For further information on Free Schools visit the Department for Education website.

Dates: Apply by 06/01/2012, Job start April 2012 or earlier if possible

Salary: L13-L23

Location: Bradford

Contract type: Full Time

Contract term: Permanent

Exciting opportunity to help establish an innovative new school and to make a difference in the lives of children and young people 

The brand new One in a Million Free School will open in September 2012 and we are inviting applications for the post of Principal. You will be an inspirational and outstanding leader able to develop and implement our vision and values.

Our overall aim is to make a difference to young people by engendering respect, self esteem,motivation and engagement. The ethos of our school will be rooted in the name of our charity, where every young person is recognised and valued as ‘one in a million’.

Our mission is to enhance the life chances of all pupils at the One in a Million Free School through a tailored programme of vocational and academic learning across sport, the arts and enterprise.

Our vision is that each pupil will utilise their skills, talents and educational achievements across sports, the arts and enterprise to better themselves and their communities.

If you share our passion and can demonstrate a strong commitment to our vision for:

• Small school size, small class size, excellent teachers and strong discipline.
• Vocational education centred on sports, the arts and enterprise with a strong emphasis on numeracy & literacy.
• A community education model that offers a “family” approach to the school so that everyone knows each other and we consider the child’s social background and family as well as their educational needs.

Then we would love to hear from you whether you are in headship already or an experienced deputy ready to take on this high profile opportunity.

For an application pack please contact Nigel Shaw; Tel: 01274 723 439 Email: recruitment@oneinamillion.org.uk

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Friday 6th January 2012.
Interviews will be held on 12th and 13th January 2012.

You can also write to us at One in a Million, The Bantams Business Centre, Bradford City AFC, Valley Parade, Bradford BD8 7DY.

One in a Million Free School, Bradford
Passionate About Investing in Children & Young People
Age Range: 11-18 (mixed)

As the opening of the Free School edges ever nearer, it is an exciting time for all associated with One in a Million.

Recruitment is currently underway for the Principal of the Free School. This is an exciting opportunity to help establish this new and innovative school and to make a difference in the lives of children and young people in Bradford.

The One in a Million Free School will open in September 2012 and we are inviting applications for the post of Principal. The right person will be an inspirational and outstanding leader who is able to develop and implement our vision and values.

Our overall aim is to make a difference to young people by engendering respect, self-esteem, motivation and engagement. The ethos of our school will be rooted in the name of our charity, where every young person is recognised and valued as ‘one in a million.’

Full details can be seen here.

For an application pack please contact Nigel Shaw on 01274 723439 or email recruitment@oneinamillion.org.uk

Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 6 January 2012. Interviews will be held on Thurday 12 or Friday 13 January 2012.

We are also taking expressions of interest from parents who would like to send their children to the One in a Million Free School next September as one of the Bradford choices of secondary school.

We will be opening with a year seven intake of 50 students, so if you have a child moving up to secondary school and would seriously consider sending them to the One in a Million Free School then please contact Paul Langton on 01274 723439 or email paul.langton@oneinamillion.org.uk.

Bradford’s Kirkgate Centre has provided a much needed boost this Christmas to local charity One in a Million by generously donating £1000.

The Kirkgate Centre was one of a number of local businesses that were invited to a business presentation lunch hosted by One in a Millon in partnership with Positive Bradford. They were impressed with the work that One in a Million is doing with disadvantaged children and young people from across the district.

Catherine Riley, Centre Manager at the Kirkgate Centre, said: “We are delighted to be able to assist One in a Million with the fantastic work they are doing with Bradford’s young people.

“The money has been donated by our generous Kirkgate shoppers so it’s really important to us that local people benefit from it. One in a Million’s enterprise, sport, arts and education programmes are really changing children’s lives and we feel humbled to be able to contribute.”

Craig McHugh, Director at One in a Million, said: “We are very grateful for the support of Jane Vincent from Positive Bradford & the Kirkgate Centre, which is one of Bradford’s most iconic shopping centres. The money will go towards helping One in a Million reach even more children and young people from right accross our city.

”We’re looking to create long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with local businesses that will ultimately have a positive impact upon the children and young people of Bradford.”

Anybody interested in partnering with One in a Million or needs help fulfilling any Corporate Social Responsibility should email craig.mchugh@oneinamillion.org.uk or call 01274 723439.

Image Description
From Left: One in a Million Co-founder Wayne Jacobs, Catherine Riley, Centre Manager of the Kirkgate Centre, One in a Million Director Craig McHugh & Jane Vincent of Positive Bradford.

One in a Million is delighted with the success of it’s Community Education courses for disadvantaged children across Bradford.

The charity’s first run of courses has been attended by 30 students from a variety of backgrounds, studying one of our Cook Stars, Film Stars or Rock Stars courses.

The young people taking part in the course learn about the relevant industry and how to use the equipment associated with that industry over a 10 week period. More importantly than that, the courses are designed to instill confidence in the young people that they can take into their future education or work.

The courses culminate in a presentation evening where all students will receive their certificates and get the opportunity to showcase the skills that they have learned.

Rob Hutcheson, Community Manager said: “It’s great seeing young people from different areas and different backgrounds mixing well together and all strands of our Community Education are working towards our awards ceremony on the 21 December.”

Caroline Grant, course leader of “Cook Stars” said: “The course has gone really well so far. The young people are really enthusiastic and have lots of ideas. They are more confident in the kitchen. Their knife skills and knowledge of hygiene and kitchen hazards has improved dramatically.”

Edward Linley, one of the young people on our Rock Stars course, said: “Rock Stars is awesome. It gives you a chance to mix with other students and improve your skills.”

The “Cook Stars” cooking course covers the importance of a healthy diet and hygiene whilst giving the children an opportunity to cook some healthy meals. So far the young people are have cooked Italian, Indian and Chinese dishes and have baked a variety of buns and flapjacks.

The “Film Stars” course covers the basics of filming, scripting and producing a short film. The “Rock Stars” course covers the essential instruments in a band and allows the children to write, play and record their own song.

You can now register your interest for the next series of Community Education classes now by emailing info@oiam.org or calling 01274 723439. They are expected to start in January 2012.

One in a Million is launching free Community Education courses which aim to help young people on the pathway to achieving their dreams.

The courses will provide young people aged 14-18 years access to introductory and accredited programmes that potentially they may otherwise be unable to access. Working to an individual learning plan, One in a Million aims to nurture the potential that many young people have in the arts, media and enterprise, with an opportunity for them to gain vocational experience, whilst also working towards recognised qualifications, improving their chances of both employment and progressing a college application.

Rob Hutcheson, One in a Million’s Community Manager said: “I learned to play the drums when I was younger, but it wasn’t until I met a friend who was a brilliant drummer that I really learned how to drum. I learned more in half an hour with him than I had in all of the lessons I’d previously had, and that is the feeling behind our community education. Who better to inspire young person’s dreams than putting them with experts in their fields!

“Our aim through One in a Million Community Education is to bring local industry experts from Bradford and wider afield to teach and inspire the city’s young people. Over time we aim to equip them with industry know-how and give them a chance to change their circumstances through education, training, apprenticeships, even supporting them through their own business start-ups. We aim to help them reach for the stars and give them the best possible chance of achieving their dreams.

“A great example is Tina, a young lady from Canterbury showing great potential in dance – but needing support, coaching and mentoring to reach her potential.”

The first courses running will be Cook Stars & Film Stars (starting 2 November) and Rock Stars (starting 3 November).The Stars Youth cafe at Valley Parade will open from 3:30pm and will feature different zones including a game zone and relax zone, whilst promoting healthy eating with a range of healthy snacks and drinks available. Courses will then run from 4:30pm.

There are a few places left so if you have a genuine interest in any of these areas and want to take part call 01274 723439 or email communityed@oneinamillion.org.uk. Places are on a first-come, first-served basis.

Disadvantaged young people who have been helped to reach their full potential by Bradford charity One in a Million were recognised at a glittering awards ceremony.

The charity’s Third Annual Stars Awards, attended by celebrities including Celebrity Big Brother contestant Darryn Lyons and Waterloo Road actor Tom Milner, raised more than £15,000 to help improve the lives of children and young people in the city.

Tina Dalby and Sammie Carr were recognised for their participation in the charity’s first community education project which saw them produce their own film. The 16 year-olds from the Canterbury estate, who received the Outstanding Contribution of the Year  and Arts Young Person of the Year awards respectively, are also regular volunteers at the charity’s Youth Cafe.

Other award winners included father and son Toks and Tobi Adeniji. Toks won Volunteer of the Year and Tobi, Athletics Young Person of the Year. Thirteen year-old Chelton Beney was named Community Sports Young Person of the Year after taking part in activities at the ARC Community Centre on the Canterbury estate.

The evening included  live and silent auctions with exclusive artworks by local artists Bob Barker and Mandy Long selling for over £3000 and £1500 respectively.

Wayne Jacobs, former assistant manager at Bradford City and charity co-founder said: “Our passion and our hopes are to break negative statistics that are over many of the children and young people of Bradford.

“We work to see these statistics smashed and to provide a real hope for the future and to make a difference  in the lives of Bradford’s youngsters.

“Thank you to the generosity of our supporters and sponsors who helped make this night so special to celebrate and honour some of the young people we work with.”

One in a Million is delighted to have been awarded a Free School in the latest round of announcements. 

Education Secretary Michael Gove announced yesterday that the Bradford charity has been successful with its application to open a Free School, with the preferred site at its Valley Parade base. 

Matthew Band, Chief Executive of One in a Million said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the One in a Million Free School for the benefit of the children and young people of Bradford. 

“It’s the crystallisation of six years’ hard work and it is a massive step into the future! It’s going to be an incredibly busy year with a lot of hard work ahead but it is a great opportunity to make an impact.

“Similar to the US Charter Schools, our focus will be on small school size with smaller class sizes, excellent teaching and strong discipline. Our offer will be district wide with particular focus on deprived areas with sports, the arts, enterprise and vocational education at the core.”

The charity already works with over 750 children a week, teaching them life skills through sports, the arts and enterprise and the new school will look to build on this success. The first intake of 50-60 pupils is expected to be in September 2012. Numeracy, Literacy and Science will be integrated into the curriculum in each year, together with key skills for employability.

Wayne Jacobs, co-founder of the charity added: “We are absolutely delighted. We believe every child is special and unique and we help them to realise that they are all One in a Million. The Free School will be right at the heart of all we do.”

If you are interested in sending your child to this new school or require any further information then please contact One in a Million on 01274 723439, email info@oiam.org or go to our Free School website. For more information on Free Schools please visit the Department for Education website.