James Eldon
@jameseldon.bsky.social
Principal Moss Side, Manchester. Chair Manchester Heads, Co-Chair GMAC Careers Group. Education and randomness. Views my own.
When your Vice Principal is the Allotment Queen of Yorkshire! Helping me kick the Haribo habit!
July 11, 2025 at 7:25 AM
When your Vice Principal is the Allotment Queen of Yorkshire! Helping me kick the Haribo habit!
This parrot is a dead parrot.
Sadly true. Caused much sadness with Y7 on yard. Another new school leadership experience!
Sadly true. Caused much sadness with Y7 on yard. Another new school leadership experience!
June 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
This parrot is a dead parrot.
Sadly true. Caused much sadness with Y7 on yard. Another new school leadership experience!
Sadly true. Caused much sadness with Y7 on yard. Another new school leadership experience!
Ofsted’s impact
on Heads. From @financialtimes.com
on Heads. From @financialtimes.com
May 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Ofsted’s impact
on Heads. From @financialtimes.com
on Heads. From @financialtimes.com
Yesterday Lynda, one of the great legends of Manchester Academy died. Lynda retired last summer & her leaving speech had the whole staff laughing like it was a stand up special. Lynda was hugely loved as our cover manager - a tough balance. She looked after us all, a wonderful lady. Heartbreaking.
May 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Yesterday Lynda, one of the great legends of Manchester Academy died. Lynda retired last summer & her leaving speech had the whole staff laughing like it was a stand up special. Lynda was hugely loved as our cover manager - a tough balance. She looked after us all, a wonderful lady. Heartbreaking.
In a glorious antidote to any doom, the famous MA Culture Day where we celebrate our global community. Wonderful energy and vibrant outfits everywhere. Fantastic send off to the Easter term. Thanks to everyone for making such a special day.
April 4, 2025 at 3:37 PM
In a glorious antidote to any doom, the famous MA Culture Day where we celebrate our global community. Wonderful energy and vibrant outfits everywhere. Fantastic send off to the Easter term. Thanks to everyone for making such a special day.
So proud that Manchester Academy came third in the national Debatemate Urban school competition. Really sharp team - wouldn’t want to debate them! Thanks to English team for coaching this success. Now to London for the final!
March 24, 2025 at 10:52 AM
So proud that Manchester Academy came third in the national Debatemate Urban school competition. Really sharp team - wouldn’t want to debate them! Thanks to English team for coaching this success. Now to London for the final!
Restock for the thriving Uno community in the school!
February 4, 2025 at 8:18 AM
Restock for the thriving Uno community in the school!
Brilliant United Learning Middle Leadership conference at Manchester Academy today. Absolute joy working with the lead team and the participants underline that our profession is in ver good hands. Hope everyone navigated UK travel casino and got home ok.
January 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Brilliant United Learning Middle Leadership conference at Manchester Academy today. Absolute joy working with the lead team and the participants underline that our profession is in ver good hands. Hope everyone navigated UK travel casino and got home ok.
Excited to host the first ever in-person conference as part of the United Learning Middle Leadership Programme. Colleagues arriving from across the country - hope the transport network holds up!!See you soon.
January 17, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Excited to host the first ever in-person conference as part of the United Learning Middle Leadership Programme. Colleagues arriving from across the country - hope the transport network holds up!!See you soon.
It’s minus 3 outside and a lovely group of Y11 girls are playing Uno.
Please note an abundance of warm spaces are available indoors.
Love this job!
Please note an abundance of warm spaces are available indoors.
Love this job!
January 9, 2025 at 11:22 AM
It’s minus 3 outside and a lovely group of Y11 girls are playing Uno.
Please note an abundance of warm spaces are available indoors.
Love this job!
Please note an abundance of warm spaces are available indoors.
Love this job!
Fantastic return to the Academy today - great to see everyone and the students made a strong start. Received this letter to say thank you to our Community Hub team for our Senior Citizens Christmas party and it wasn’t the wind chill which brought a tear to my eye! Magic.
January 6, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Fantastic return to the Academy today - great to see everyone and the students made a strong start. Received this letter to say thank you to our Community Hub team for our Senior Citizens Christmas party and it wasn’t the wind chill which brought a tear to my eye! Magic.
I am wagering that we are the only school in the country whose Staff Christmas Quiz featured a kazoo round. Lord Hurst and Viscount Axenderrie, quiz masters extraordinary. YMCA on a kazoo, with all the staff singing along. Manchester Magic!
December 16, 2024 at 4:31 PM
I am wagering that we are the only school in the country whose Staff Christmas Quiz featured a kazoo round. Lord Hurst and Viscount Axenderrie, quiz masters extraordinary. YMCA on a kazoo, with all the staff singing along. Manchester Magic!
Two very different schools, coming together to broaden horizons and prove that much of what’s banded around on socials is undermined by the uplifting energy of our students. Middlewich High in Cheshire coming to see us in Moss Side was one of the most powerful meetings I have seen for ages. Unity!
December 4, 2024 at 4:33 PM
Two very different schools, coming together to broaden horizons and prove that much of what’s banded around on socials is undermined by the uplifting energy of our students. Middlewich High in Cheshire coming to see us in Moss Side was one of the most powerful meetings I have seen for ages. Unity!
Autumn chilly afternoon so watching my favourite film ‘When Harry Met Sally’ for the 1000th time. Suddenly notice my name in the movie. Slightly freaked out by the change in the space time continuum!
November 9, 2024 at 4:39 PM
Autumn chilly afternoon so watching my favourite film ‘When Harry Met Sally’ for the 1000th time. Suddenly notice my name in the movie. Slightly freaked out by the change in the space time continuum!
Welcome back to Manchester Academy on a very autumnal day. I am slightly in love with our new wall displays - surrounded by gorgeous greenery, encouraging us to save our planet. Uplifting start to the half-term. Green Magic!!
October 28, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Welcome back to Manchester Academy on a very autumnal day. I am slightly in love with our new wall displays - surrounded by gorgeous greenery, encouraging us to save our planet. Uplifting start to the half-term. Green Magic!!
Great to have the Education Minister Stephen MorganMP visit Manchester Academy today to discuss AI with our staff and a brilliant group of Y10 students. Their questions were punchy and we were all interested in the new government’s response to the challenges of AI! Thanks for visiting Moss Side.
October 15, 2024 at 5:06 PM
Great to have the Education Minister Stephen MorganMP visit Manchester Academy today to discuss AI with our staff and a brilliant group of Y10 students. Their questions were punchy and we were all interested in the new government’s response to the challenges of AI! Thanks for visiting Moss Side.
This fantastic team lead the United Learning Middle Leadership programme! Thanks to Hartshill Academy for hospitality! Sign up for this great CPD programme or our Senior Leader course for only £300 for 5 places. A few places left. Plus you visit Manchester unitedlearning.org.uk/what-we-do/p...
October 4, 2024 at 6:20 PM
This fantastic team lead the United Learning Middle Leadership programme! Thanks to Hartshill Academy for hospitality! Sign up for this great CPD programme or our Senior Leader course for only £300 for 5 places. A few places left. Plus you visit Manchester unitedlearning.org.uk/what-we-do/p...
Loving the t-shirt my parents brought me back from the States. A new way forward!
September 30, 2024 at 7:24 PM
Loving the t-shirt my parents brought me back from the States. A new way forward!
High hopes for our new Head Boy…
September 26, 2024 at 7:02 PM
High hopes for our new Head Boy…
Today begins the wild challenge of taming a new pair of Dr Martens. There will be tears, pain and blood but then utter loyalty and devotion. Need to break them in before the leaves fall and the rains sweep in…. Ahh too late!
September 23, 2024 at 6:46 AM
Today begins the wild challenge of taming a new pair of Dr Martens. There will be tears, pain and blood but then utter loyalty and devotion. Need to break them in before the leaves fall and the rains sweep in…. Ahh too late!
The teacher recruitment challenge is still there but we host the superb United Teaching SCITT in the North and at their session on Friday the energy and quality in the room was inspiring. We need more teachers but this wonderful job is attracting brilliant talent. Sign up for 2025!!
September 15, 2024 at 8:03 AM
The teacher recruitment challenge is still there but we host the superb United Teaching SCITT in the North and at their session on Friday the energy and quality in the room was inspiring. We need more teachers but this wonderful job is attracting brilliant talent. Sign up for 2025!!
This term we launched our ‘Golden Tickets’ strategy and it has demonstrated the amazing talent in Manchester Academy. Period 5 was the first prize drop and the whole Academy was tuned in as we launched with a very special prize. Remember- we start again for the next fortnight! Magic Start Rewarded!
September 13, 2024 at 2:42 PM
This term we launched our ‘Golden Tickets’ strategy and it has demonstrated the amazing talent in Manchester Academy. Period 5 was the first prize drop and the whole Academy was tuned in as we launched with a very special prize. Remember- we start again for the next fortnight! Magic Start Rewarded!
Climbing the steps to success. Loving the new graphics- ground level Manchester Magic!!
September 11, 2024 at 1:31 PM
Climbing the steps to success. Loving the new graphics- ground level Manchester Magic!!
New academic year, new graphic to celebrate our part in rewriting the story of Moss Side. Excited to see the team and for the year ahead in our wonderful school. Good luck to everyone and huge thanks to the brilliant site team for a busy summer of works, which will be finished… I am assured!Magic.
September 2, 2024 at 6:23 AM
New academic year, new graphic to celebrate our part in rewriting the story of Moss Side. Excited to see the team and for the year ahead in our wonderful school. Good luck to everyone and huge thanks to the brilliant site team for a busy summer of works, which will be finished… I am assured!Magic.
The graduation ceremony for our summer school - our new Y7 have hugely impressed this week and we’re excited for the new yellow tie cohort to join us! Thanks so much to our amazing staff who have delivered such an action packed week and to Manchester United for their support. Get ready for September
August 23, 2024 at 12:32 PM
The graduation ceremony for our summer school - our new Y7 have hugely impressed this week and we’re excited for the new yellow tie cohort to join us! Thanks so much to our amazing staff who have delivered such an action packed week and to Manchester United for their support. Get ready for September