The Time 4 Change programme is all about empowering students with essential life skills by giving them the chance to design, develop, and deliver a community social action project, creating real change in their academy and local community.

Through teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership, students will gain:

• Organisational skills
• Confidence & self-esteem
• Real-world experience in making a difference

Led by Jo Sykes, Director of Careers, and Liz Garrity, Head of Community, this programme gives students the chance to create real change through their social action plans. Academy staff will be supported by the Academy Community Pioneers to deliver this exciting programme to students. 

The students will deliver their social action plan presentations in front of a Trust panel on July 2nd at Angel Square, Manchester. 

At Co-op Academies Trust, we’re passionate about giving pupils the tools to thrive in a tech-driven world. GoIT introduces them to coding, AI, and problem-solving, all while linking these skills to future opportunities in STEM—a crucial part of our commitment to building a fairer world.

Through engaging activities like the GoIT Challenge, students develop creativity, teamwork, and confidence in presenting their ideas. By highlighting the diverse career paths in tech, we aim to inspire every pupil to dream big, especially in underrepresented groups like girls in Computer Science.

GoIT is about more than just technology—it’s about empowering young innovators to shape the future.

The Co-op Academies Spelling Bee is a celebration of language, learning, and friendly competition. Bringing together pupils from primary and secondary academies across the Trust, this event is designed to spark a love of words while fostering collaboration and showcasing incredible spelling talent.

Held at 1 Angel Square, Co-op’s Manchester headquarters, the Spelling Bee challenges students with a mix of moderate to high-difficulty words, culminating in a thrilling final. Participants compete in teams, facing off in rounds where quick thinking, teamwork, and a love of language shine.

The event also builds confidence, celebrates achievements, and connects pupils from across our Trust—uniting them in a shared, unforgettable experience. It’s an opportunity to inspire a passion for words and bring our school communities together.

The Young Musician of the Year Competition is a Trust-wide celebration of musical talent across Co-op Academies. Open to all students in our academies, the competition provides a platform for young performers to showcase their skills, creativity, and passion for music.

In its inaugural year, we received over 200 submissions from talented students in Stoke-on-Trent, the Wirral, Greater Manchester, Bradford, and Leeds. Singers, instrumentalists, drummers, and bands competed in regional semi-finals held in Manchester, Leeds, and Stoke-on-Trent, culminating in a spectacular grand final.

This event isn’t just about performance; it’s about the transformative power of music. From boosting emotional intelligence to fostering a sense of belonging and joy, music plays a vital role in education and personal development.

The Eco Conferences are a highlight of the year for students across the Co-op Academies Trust, bringing primary and secondary schools together to explore sustainability, biodiversity, and climate action. With record attendance this year, these conferences are a platform for sharing ideas, inspiring change, and taking practical steps toward a greener future.

Led by our Trust’s Community Team and supported by partners like Biffa, the conferences showcased the incredible work of Eco Clubs from across our academies. Students presented their projects, from peace and wellbeing gardens to creative solutions for tackling litter, demonstrating how small actions can make a big difference.

The events featured hands-on workshops with experts like the Royal Horticultural Society and Fair and Funky, teaching the six Rs (Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repair). Students enjoyed crafting seed bombs, building wormeries, and even pedaling a smoothie bike to blend their own drinks—all while learning how sustainability can be fun and impactful.

At Co-op Academies Trust, sport is about more than just competition—it’s an opportunity for students to develop skills, build confidence, and experience the joy of being part of a team. Through Trust-wide sporting events, we aim to give every student the chance to take part, whether they’re seasoned athletes or trying a new sport for the first time.

From basketball tournaments and dodgeball festivals to cross-country and SEND-inclusive Panathlon events, our academies host a wide range of activities throughout the year. These events help students connect with others across the Trust, fostering resilience, teamwork, and a sense of community.

Highlights include our inter-academy competitions, where students of all ages tackle exciting challenges in sports like football, athletics, orienteering, and even tag rugby. Younger pupils get to discover new activities, while older students take on leadership roles as referees or sports leaders.

By encouraging participation, celebrating achievements, and creating memorable experiences, we aim to help every student find their passion and realise their potential.