Yipiyap spreads across the North

Word of our support has now spread outside the North West with recent enquiries from schools in Hull, Yorkshire and Derbyshire.

Following endorsement from Ben Dunne, Principal of Penketh High School, Warrington at the regional ASCL conference, Headteachers and Principals have been quick to contact us to ask if we can provide yipiyap tutors in their area.  This ties in with planned geographical expansion in 2016 with the initial focus being in partnership with Winifred Holtby Academy in Hull.

WHA Principal, Mark Brown said “Many schools in Hull would be interested in finding out about this support. Like many coastal cities we have issues with recruitment and, along with the immediate benefits of the support, potentially attracting new teachers into the profession could bring long term improvement locally.  We like the idea of formal peer-to-peer support and want to take the lead in introducing yipiyap to Hull.”

With Mark’s help, we have been invited to present the yipiyap model to the local Director’s Meeting with Secondary Leaders in January.  Reaching Headteachers at this stage of the year will give the chance to develop strong links over the coming months with tutor support due to commence in September 2016.

Thanks to further introductions, local Sixth Form Colleges Wyke College and Wilberforce College are also keen to offer our fantastic gap year opportunity to their students and we will be starting recruitment at both colleges in the New Year.

“Working with Secondary Leaders who share our vision of improving outcomes for all young people by supporting learning professionals is one of the best things about my role.  Both Ben and Mark recognise the win-win nature of our support and, like any business, we need people with authority and influence to spread the word in their area.  We really look forward to working with Winifred Holtby Academy and developing our support in Hull as we have done in Warrington.”

— Anne Morris