Andy Burnham has unveiled plans for a new ‘MBacc’ qualification offering Greater Manchester students a university alternative.
It’s been exactly a year since the Greater Manchester Mayor set out his ambitious plan to create what he has called a “genuine and equal alternative to the university route” for high school students in our region – with the term ‘MBacc’ as we know it explained further towards the end of last year as part of a wider vision for 2024.
Since then, Mr Burnham says he has worked with education and business leaders throughout the region, as well as young people themselves, to design seven MBacc ‘gateways’ which are each linked to a sector that is growing in Greater Manchester.
And now, the Mayor has finally announced, for the first time, his vision for the core MBacc subjects that will underpin those seven ‘gateways’, and ultimately, provide young people with what he hopes is “a clear line of sight” from the age of 14.
It’s a year since @MayorofGM set out his ambitious plan to create an equal alternative to the university route. Greater Manchester has worked with education and business leaders as well as young people to design seven #MBacc gateways
— Greater Manchester Combined Authority (@greatermcr) July 12, 2024
The seven ‘gateways’ of the MBacc, which Andy Burnham says each align with growth sectors in the Greater Manchester economy, are Health and Social Care, Digital and Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing, Construction and the Green Economy, Financial and Professional, Education and Early Years, and finally, Creative, Culture and Sport.
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The core MBacc subjects are to be the three core English Baccalaureate subjects, English Language and Literature, Maths, and Sciences, as well as the addition of ICT.
When it comes to optional subjects, the MBacc will offer Engineering, Design & Technology, Business Studies, Drama, Music, and Performing Arts, while the EBacc is known for focusing more on modern foreign languages and humanities subjects.
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Andy Burnham has unveiled a new ‘MBacc’ qualification to offer Greater Manchester students a university alternative / Credit: GMCA | gov.uk
Unlike the English Baccalaureate – which is geared towards the subjects that the UK’s top universities value – however, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) says each MBacc gateway will instead guide young people to the subjects and qualifications that are currently most valued by our region’s employers.
“For too long, the English education system has been built around the needs of just a third of young people who go to university,” Mayor Andy Burnham commented as he unveiled the MBacc last week.
“That means that every year, thousands go through school without a clear path into a good career.
“Our answer is the MBacc – a game-changing new plan for technical education. We’re using our devolved powers to reset the scales and give young people a clear line of sight to good jobs and the steps that will take them there.”
Mr Burnham says he believes that if we don’t make this change now, it could end up being “the single biggest barrier to future growth” and also to the “life chances” of Greater Manchester’s young people.
“The needs of our economy are changing, and right now the system is not capable of keeping pace and meeting the needs of businesses or the ambitions of the next generation.”
Featured Image – gov.uk
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Four rare African ducklings have been hatched at Chester Zoo for the very first time
Danny Jones
More conversation celebration down the road at Chester Zoo, as the award-winning wildlife park has welcomed four African ducklings who belong to a rare breed.
As is so often the case with the work they do all year-round, their arrival could help signal the species’ survival in the long run, whose status was sadly upgraded from vulnerable to endangered on the official IUCN Red List.
The particular type of fowl we’re referring to is the Maccao duck, a stiff-tailed bird that typically belongs to the fresh and brackish inland waters of Eastern and Southern Africa.
Medium-sized, chunky, with big bills and subtle striping around their heads, they’re gorgeous creatures as is, but especially so as ducklings…
If you didn’t say ‘awww’ out loud, then you’re just lying.
As the Zoo itself put it, they are “rare, fluffy and VERY cute.” Celebrating what is “a breeding breakthrough for one of Africa’s rarest ducks […] so these little guys are kind of a big deal.”
These little delightful little duckies are known for diving down to the bottom of lakes and riverbeds to forage for aquatic invertebrates and plants; in fact, given the choice, they tend to prefer going underwater over flying pretty much full-stop.
As a resident species that doesn’t migrate like many other birds, they are native to nations like Namibia, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. They’re identifiable by their dark black heads, blue bills (among the males, at least) and presence within the wetlands.
However, their estimated numbers continue to drop, and unfortunately, just 14 of their kind currently remain in Kenya and only 100 in Tanzania, with fewer than 5,000 believed to be left across the entire African continent.
Not only is this the first time the species has ever been successfully bred by bird experts at Chester Zoo, but conservationists hope ducklings will put a spotlight on the threatened species.
Their scientific name is ‘Oxyura maccoa’.Just like human babies, they prone to stuff all over their face.As far as ducklings go, these adorable little African variants are pretty special. (Credit: Supplied)
The zoo’s Head of Birds, Andrew Owen, said of their birth: “As one of just seven zoos in Europe – and 12 zoos globally – that care for Maccoa ducks, these ducklings are very special as they’re the first of their kind to ever hatch here at the zoo – making it a really historic moment for our team,
“This success gives a real boost to the future of the species, and these vital new additions will contribute to the safety-net population in zoos. These birds are facing rapid decline in the wild, so every hatchling really does count.
“To see them now out on the water inside our new Heart of Africa habitat, which is dedicated to helping Africa’s most threatened species thrive, makes this milestone even more special.”
Nothing short of brilliant news, we’re sure you’ll agree; better still, in addition to the crucially charitable and conversation-based tourist attraction being named one of England’s most popular destinations once again, but these are the only rare birds welcome by the zookeepers this month.
Vogue’s immersive ‘Inventing the Runway’ show is coming to Manchester
Thomas Melia
A Vogue immersive show titled ‘Inventing the Runway’ is coming to Manchester, and it’s even co-created by Anna Wintour herself.
Ever fancied learning more about the fashion world? Well, now’s your chance to hear everything you need to know from global fashion leaders and lifestyle magazine Vogue.
The Anna Wintour-approved immersive experience comes alongside the announcement of Factory International‘s Winter lineup, which features another new event all about voyaging to the moon.
This Vogue-fronted experience will incorporate interviews, visual media and more to help attendees visualise fashion shows of the past, present and future.
As well as understanding how fashion shows became the pinnacle of a designer’s vision, this runway-themed display also includes looking back at iconic moments of fashion and pop culture.
‘Inventing the Runway’ by Vogue is focusing on outfits worn by models and A-listers alike, with narration from the one and only Cate Blanchett.
You can expect to see curated pieces by significant creative minds in fashion history like Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, Stella McCartney, Vivienne Westwood and lots more.
Throughout the Vogue experience, as well as coming visually face to face with fashion, you will also hear a soundscape that perfectly reflects this innovative industry with a fusion of classical and pop music.
This fashion exhibition uses the same Lightroom technology behind the impressive David Hockney experience that opened back in December.
Vogue is using this show to honour anyone who has made an impact in the fashion world.The Met Gala has become a staple in everyone’s calendar year in and year out.First Northern Quarter’s Chanel show, now this… Très chic. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons/GoodFon)
Anna Wintour, Chief Content Officer, Condé Nast, and Global Editorial Director, Vogue said: “At Vogue, we’ve been lucky enough over the decades to see many incredible runway shows, which have often told the story of fashion as much as the clothes themselves.”
“This Lightroom experience is a wonderful opportunity for a lot more people to experience first-hand the thrill of watching the history of fashion unfold right in front of them.”
You can experience Vogue’s ‘Inventing the Runway’ immersive show from 18 December to 10 January when it visits Aviva Studios this winter.
Find out more information and grab your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th July 2024 
