learning at the academy

At MCPA we have an innovative curriculum which seeks to develop the ‘whole-child’.

Children are supported and challenged to develop deep knowledge and a broad range of skills in a variety of subjects, including communication and values.

Children are also afforded a wide range of ‘MCPA opportunities’ which take their learning beyond the classroom.

The excellent teaching team includes specialists in the arts, PE, computing, languages, EAL, SEND and therapeutic support who work together to ensure that every child achieves well in all areas of the curriculum.

trips and visitors at mcpa

At MCPA we think it is important to have a wide range of opportunities for our children. We recognise that learning doesn't just happen in the classroom and therefore provide children with additional learning experiences.

This includes trips, visitors and external workshops. Here is what happens in each year group:

Year Group

NURSERY

RECEPTION

YEAR 1

YEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

YEAR 5

YEAR 6

THE NEST

Trips / Visitors

• Medical professional or parent (with a baby) to visit

• Z-Arts 

• Manchester mobile planetarium

• Chicks/tadpoles 

• Bug pest /Caterpillars

• Sealife Centre (Trafford Centre)

• Visit Science and industry museum 

• Farm visit in school

• Christ Church 

• Fire-engine visit

• Pantomime

• Dinosaur visit 

• A Sikh Gurdwara 

• Chicks in 

• Farm visit

• Visit from insect people.

• Visit from Once upon a time elderly charity group.

• A Hindu temple (Aut 1) 

• Clitheroe Castle 

• Christ church

• Dinosaur visit

• Fire-engine visit 

• Reptiles 

• Biccy and Brew with oldies

• Eureka

• Visit from Once upon a time elderly charity group.

• Formby beach

• Emmeline Pankhurst statue (St. Peter's Square) and Central library

• Lowry gallery

• A church

• Manchester museum

• MOSI

• A synagogue

• Roman remains in Chester

• A mosque 

• Central Library

• Walking tour of Manchester 

• Jorvik centre and York Minster 

• Nature Reserve

• Quarry Bank Mill

• Jodrell Bank

• Robin Wood 

• A Christmas Carol performance

• Imperial War Museum

• Residential 

• Chester Zoo

• GMP police museum

• Macbeth workshop

• Redbank House- Sensory Room

• Library

• Farm visit

• Pets at home visit

• Pantomime 

OPPORTUNITIES

Go to the theatre

Discover a favourite sport

Learn to swim

Stay away from home for a night

Perform a poem

Learn about each other's culture and beliefs

Sing the national anthem

Visit the park

Stargaze

Eat something you've planted

Climb a big hill

Visit the zoo

Learn to cook

Learn a language

Go to the beach and build a sandcastle

Visit lots of museums and love them

Hold an insect or reptile

Sing like no-one's listening

Raise money for charity

Become a library member

Look after an animal

Meet, and thank a police officer, fire fighter and paramedic

Help a local community group

Learn an instrument

Make a den

Visit places of worship

Start a fire

Manage a budget

urban crew

The Urban Crew is made up of a group of, up to ten, Year 5 children. The crew take part in a range of activities throughout the year both in and out of school.

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The Urban Crew is a citizenship project that is run in conjunction with Manchester Communications Academy and Northwards Housing.

With a focus on ‘Community & Environment’ pupils work as a team to drive positive change and to forge and nurture trusting relationships. 

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Completing a diverse range of challenges, the crew gather evidence, in a variety of forms, that contribute towards their final certification; this is an ASDAN accreditation, equivalent to one unit of a GCSE!

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During the year, pupils complete around 35 hours of activity achieved through play/lunchtime duties; patrols; workshops; community visits; an ESA Day (Extra School Activities) and an Enterprise Day, held at MCA. They also have to plan and deliver an assembly to the whole school!

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Urban Crew also operate the 'You've Been Spotted' system; this recognises and celebrates children who are ‘spotted’ being kind to their friends, looking after our school or demonstrating our MCPA Community Qualities.

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If you want to learn more about our Urban Crew adventures, please see the Urban Crew section on our school website; speak with Mrs Riley (our Urban Crew leader) or ask one of the crew…you’ll spot them wearing their bright green jackets & baseball caps!

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Click here to see our team

SCHOOL council and Pupils voice

At Manchester Communication Primary Academy, we believe in the importance of giving children the opportunity to be heard as well as encouraging them to get involved in shaping the future of their school, local community and the wider world.

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Pupil Voice provides further opportunity for every pupil to discuss their feelings about school - from both an academic and pastoral perspective - to ensure that they are active participants in their education. Every pupil is encouraged to express their views, and be active participants in decision-making on a range of topics, issues & developments in school.

We want to give children the relevant skills in leadership and empathy, whilst nurturing each child in their development of our school community qualities. Our aim is to create a positive and inclusive community within the school that prepares children for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.

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The MCPA Council is made up of 12 pupils from Years 2-6 who are elected by their peers. The school Council gets involved in many aspects of the school in order to help make the school an even better place. Our older pupils take great pride in the responsibilities they are provided with including modelling to younger council representatives how to become great councillors.

Any child can become part of the School Council; they are elected following democratic class elections, which are held at the start of the year.

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The School Council meets once a week with the school PSHE lead, who helps facilitate their meetings. Using ideas from the rest of the school, they pick one project each term to work on focusing on either an improvement to the school, local community or an environmental project.

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The children work together to create action plans, delegate jobs, run whole school assemblies and hold meetings to work on their projects.

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Through the school Council, all pupils at MCPA have the opportunity to raise issues, share ideas and take part in discussions that involve all of their peers in reaching a democratic solution.

friends and family of mcpa

Friends and Families of MCPA is a group of parents and carers who with the support of our family worker and GMAT family team, do the following:

- Plan and run fundraising events for the school, to buy things like playground enhancements. These have included film nights, discos and sales.

- Run charity events such as Macmillan cake sales. 

- Hold a weekly coffee morning which provides an opportunity for all parents to network, access services and make new friends. During Covid disruption this has been virtual. 

The group’s membership is completely informal, some parents come frequently, others just every now and then. Some support every event, some just support one or two. 

If this is something you would like to be involved with, please get in touch with our family worker- Lorraine Carlin.