One of the North-West’s leading tech companies has partnered with Oasis Academy to give children in Oldham their very own iPad as part of a mission to make great education more accessible to everyone.
Sync – a longstanding local business that’s been charging-up Manchester for 30 years and counting – has supplied devices for all pupils and teachers at an Oldham primary school in a drive for equality.
Oldham Academy Clarksfield is part of the Oasis Community Learning family of schools – which has worked with Sync to pass along 450 iPads to local children.
The devices have helped to remove barriers some young people face in accessing learning resources outside of school.
Nigel Fowler, Principal at Oasis Academy Clarksfield, stated: “We are extremely excited to be part of the Oasis Community Learning Horizons project.
“Every child now has access to a top end device enabling them to complete research, enhance their learning, and develop as learners.
“The project is digitally transforming Oasis Clarksfield, moving us to the cutting edge of technology and learning.
“This project marries up the building project currently being undertaken and the result will be a learning environment and resources to enable us to help our children prepare for the 21st century.”
The iPad supply is part of a wider scheme titled Oasis Horizons – which is committed to delivering over 30,000 iPads to primary, secondary, sixth form students, and staff over a 12-month period.
The strategy involves improving the curriculum in Oasis academies and giving staff the chance to develop their skills within the classroom.
Tom Crump, National Education Manager at Sync, explained: “The equitable delivery of education through digital means has never been more important.
“By equipping teachers and students with an iPad, OCL is preparing for the long-term delivery of equitable learning – whether students are in school or at home.
“We are proud to be working with OCL on their ground-breaking Horizons project – the largest provision of iPad in education happening in England to date.”
Sync has been part of the tech scene in Manchester for 30 years / Image: Sync
The work with Oasis Academy Clarksfield is just one example of the ways in which Sync is supporting local education.
The company is focused on helping schools adopt and integrate technology – as well as setting up workshops and seminars for those eager to learn more about utilising tech in all kinds of educational arenas.
Sync offered free spaces to local business owners and entrepreneurs during the nationwide lockdown – including vital skills-based training courses designed for enhancing work and communication.
The Sync Deansgate site – a three-storey tech shop with an Apple desk, training suite, and conference centre – is open now with an information desk for anyone looking to find out more.
Additional information on training and events available at Sync can be found here.
Business
Chester Zoo is looking for volunteers to help care for its animals and ‘prevent extinction’
Emily Sergeant
Are you ready to help make a genuine difference? Chester Zoo is currently looking for volunteers to help care for its animals.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo is committed to the recovery of endangered species around the world, and is making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most… but it can’t do this alone, and that’s why it’s calling on people to volunteer and spend a year of their education gaining ‘invaluable’ work experience.
Chester Zoo is offering a number of year-long Animal Husbandry Voluntary Work Placements for those currently studying for degrees relevant to the industry.
During these placement years, candidates will get comprehensive practical training by Chester Zoo specialists covering a wide range of subjects, and receive on-the-job experience in the husbandry of the species they’re working with, taking on plenty of hands-on husbandry tasks along the way.
Chester Zoo has been named the best zoo in the UK for 2024 / Credit: Chester Zoo
Candidates will be assigned to one of the animal keeping sections for the year – specialising in either birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates.
The ideal candidates for these placement years will have an interest in all aspects of animal husbandry and the work of Chester Zoo, an ability to work as an individual or as part of a team, excellent communication skills, and have the ability to financially support themselves for the duration.
The working hours for placement volunteers will be full-time, working five days out of seven, including alternate weekends, on a rota basis, but it’s worth it as Chester Zoo says many of its past placements have gone on to follow careers in zoos.
Full uniform will be provided by the Chester Zoo, along with free lunch vouchers for the days you attend.
The news that Chester Zoo is seeking volunteers comes after it was also announced that the zoo is giving out more than 30,000 free tickets to children, offering them the chance to visit the incredible facilities on offer without having to spend a penny.
Applications for the positions are now open, and applications from individuals living outside of the UK are welcome, but they will be expected to fund your own travel and relocation costs if successful – with the closing date being 10 March.
Assessment days for the placements are anticipated to take place on 4 or 11 April, and you can find out more and apply here.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
Business
Sneak peak inside swanky new homes ready to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of swanky new homes are now available to rent in an up-and-coming Greater Manchester town.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes.
The reboot of the former derelict market precinct in the suburban Bolton town of Farnworth is being spearheaded by Capital&Centric, and the social impact developers behind the project are now giving prospective renters a sneak peak into the developed.
Dubbed Farnworth Green, the new community consists of 97 rental homes, made up of a super energy-efficient range of townhouses and apartments.
The development will be comprised of a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom properties, with 85 stunning apartments and 12 family homes – all of which have been designed with the same high-quality features that are usually reserved for Capital&Centric‘s city centre spaces.
Designed for renters, the dozens of new homes come with even more living space, as well private gardens to be enjoyed when the sun makes an appearance, and potting sheds for all the green-fingered people out there.
Residents will also have access to the exclusive rooftop garden, gym, lounge, co-working spaces, and dog washing stations for their four-legged friends.
The two-bed apartments are packed with Scandi-designed HAY furniture and massive floor-to-ceiling windows to flood the rooms with light, while the the top-spec kitchens are kitted-out with all the mod-comms and latest appliances you would expect.
The new townhouses, on the other hand, will be the first to be delivered under the developer’s ‘Neighbourhood’ brand.
Pioneering new homes at Farnworth Green are now available to rent / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
This includes Bolton’s first-ever operationally net zero homes, aiming to ‘slash’ energy bills for residents.
A raft of independent bars, eateries, and shops will also be taking shape on the ground floor of the community hub, giving locals and residents a place to meet up and enjoy seasonal outdoor events that will be planned once the neighbourhood is up and running.
Residents will also be able to spend time in a brand-new public square at the heart of the community, which will play host to artisan markets, art shows, and foodie pop-ups.
A collection of exciting first look images have been released of the new homes / Credit: Capital&Centric (Supplied)
“We’re buzzing to see the new homes come to life at Farnworth Green,” commented Tom Wilmot, who is the joint Managing Director of Capital&Centric.
“Farnworth Green is all about creating new and exciting spaces for businesses and the community to spend time in, as well as delivering a pioneering new town centre living experience and giving disused retail areas a new lease of life.”
The Manc -
8th July 2021 
