Headteacher’s introduction

Dear Families and Visitors,

 

A very warm welcome to North Ridge High School.

 

It is both a privilege and a pleasure to introduce myself as the Head Teacher of this wonderful school community. Having worked alongside our pupils for the past fourteen years, I have had the joy of watching them grow in confidence, develop their independence, build meaningful friendships, and achieve incredible personal and academic success. Every day, they continue to inspire us with their resilience, individuality, and enthusiasm for learning.

 

At North Ridge, our pupils are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to ensuring that every child feels happy, safe, valued, and supported to thrive. One of the highlights of my day is welcoming pupils into school each morning, seeing their smiles, hearing their stories, and sharing in the excitement they bring as they begin another day of learning and discovery alongside their friends.

 

We believe passionately in making every minute count. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide the very best educational experiences, helping pupils develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need for a happy and successful future as young adults.
North Ridge is a specialist school for pupils with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). While all pupils have a primary need of learning disability, we celebrate and support a wide range of individual strengths and additional needs. Depending on their age and learning profile, pupils are supported within one of our five departments: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5, Experiential or Structured. I encourage you to explore our class pages to learn more about the unique learning pathways and opportunities available within each department.
We are proud to operate across two sites:
           -North Ridge Main Site, located on Alworth Road in Blackley, which serves pupils from Year 7 through to Sixth Form.
           -North Ridge HUB, located on Crescent Road, dedicated to supporting our Sixth Form students as they continue their journey towards greater independence and adulthood.

 

We are also incredibly proud of our pupil-led enterprises: Second Hand Made, Cup & Cake, and Plot to Plate. These businesses provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to showcase their talents, develop workplace skills, and promote equality, diversity, and sustainability. Their achievements have gained national recognition, including winning first place for sustainability at the Jamie Oliver Awards, an accomplishment that reflects both the dedication of our pupils and the values we hold dear.

 

As we look ahead to another exciting academic year, I am delighted to welcome back our returning pupils and families, and equally excited to greet those joining North Ridge for the very first time. Together, we will continue to nurture a community where every pupil is encouraged to flourish, achieve their potential, and feel a true sense of belonging.

 

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about our school. We look forward to working in partnership with you and sharing the many successes and special moments that lie ahead.

 

Kind regards,
Shauna Johnson
Head Teacher
North Ridge High School
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