During a recent visit, Place Group was delighted to welcome the Bishop of Manchester, the Rt. Rev’d. Nigel McCulloch, for a tour of The Manchester Communication Academy building - which will open its doors to students and the communities of Harpurhey, North Manchester in September.

Place has been working on this project since 2007 as part of the Manchester Academies programme, and the company’s communications service arm, PlaceCommunicate was also appointed earlier this year to drive and support the Academy’s marketing and PR plans. This activity will incorporate VIP visits, post-16 and primary school events, community initiatives and news making, as well as the opening of the new building.

For his tour of the Academy, the Bishop donned a hard hat and steel capped boots to complement his mitre and purple robes – and he is already looking forward to a return visit to meet the children and teachers who will be the first to enjoy the £30m building and its facilities. With BT as its lead partner, the Academy will use communication in all forms, from the written word and speech to the very latest digital technologies, to give the community of North Manchester a new, exciting and inspiring learning experience.

Commenting on the visit, the Academy’s Vice Principal Patsy Hodson said, “We were delighted to give the Bishop a ‘sneak preview’ of the Academy, now that the building is really starting to take shape. Our work with community and faith groups across Manchester is hugely important and helps us to make sure that we offer a really welcoming and safe place for pupils and their families to enjoy.”