Press Release

Issue date: May 27th, 2021

Pictured: Djanogly Northgate Academy’s Paul Manders is retiring as site manager after 18 years’ service.

Djanogly Northgate Academy’s site manager retires after 18 years

Djanogly Northgate Academy’s site manager is hanging up his keys and taking retirement after 18 years’ service at the school.

Over the years, Paul Manders has worked alongside four headteachers and ensured the school safely meets the needs of 1000s of children from the New Basford community.

He has seen a lot of changes during that time. Paul also met his partner Sharon at the school on Suez Street. Sharon is a dinner lady and has worked at Djanogly Northgate Academy for 17 years. Paul’s last day at work is May 28th, 2021.

Paul said: “I have a lot of fond memories, and I will miss the staff and children. What I’ve enjoyed most about the job is being around the children and providing them with a service, as well as working with colleagues and being part of the team who solve their problems.

“I’ve also enjoyed helping at the school summer and winter fairs, which are always great to be a part of. We have a fantastic team of staff that run stalls and games and really make events special for our community.”

He added: “When Mrs Anderson took over, I saw a dramatic change with more children and bigger and new buildings. The school doubled in size and we knew we were part of something bigger from then on!

“My routine is definitely going to change with retirement. It will feel strange not having to get up at 5:00am. I have an allotment and I will spend more time in the garden. I grow courgettes, potatoes, strawberries and I love to grow chrysanthemum flowers.”

Mel Spouge, Administrative Assistant, Djanogly Northgate Academy, said: “The staff have lovely memories of Paul. He is always telling jokes and brightens the mornings, and we will miss starting the day with his cheeky smile.”

Liz Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Djanogly Learning Trust, said: “Paul is a long-serving member of the Djanogly family. From my time as Headteacher, through to CEO, Paul has ensured the school has been kept to a high standard, and always clean and tidy for our community.”

She added: “More importantly, no matter what the day would bring, it would always be an environment that was safe and ready for our children to learn. We have fond memories of the time Paul has shared with us all at Djanogly Northgate Academy. He will be missed and we wish him all the best on his journey into retirement.”

Djanogly Learning Trust has a strong track record for raising aspirations and achievement and runs several successful primary and secondary schools in the region. Visit www.djanogly.org. Follow us @DjanoglyT

About Djanogly Learning Trust

Djanogly Learning Trust is a successful, growing multi academy trust that sponsors eight schools in the East Midlands. They are Djanogly City Academy on Gregory Boulevard and Sherwood Rise, Djanogly Northgate Academy on Suez Street, and Djanogly Strelley Academy on Helston Drive - which are all Ofsted graded ‘good’ - as well as Djanogly Sherwood Academy on Sherwood Rise, Laceyfields Academy on Laceyfields Road in Heanor, Langley Mill Academy on Bailey Brook Crescent in Langley Mill, Springfield Academy on Lawton Drive and Kensington Academy on St John’s Road in Ilkeston. Visit www.djanogly.org. Follow us @DjanoglyT

Media contact

Mary Hampshire, Public Relations Consultant

Email: mary@maryhampshire.com

Telephone: 07985 779078