Schools and colleges across Greater Manchester are facing difficulties in finding meaningful support for violence reduction. Wigan & Leigh College, however, have found that by accessing the Education Hive, they have been able to seek the resources, insights, and collaboration needed to respond quickly and effectively.

Maxine Mealey, Assistant Principal at Wigan & Leigh College, shares her experience:

‘As a college, accessing meaningful and swift support in relation to violence reduction and crime from a wide variety of partners and places, can be frustrating,’ she explains. ‘There was a need for a single point of access to reliable and high-quality resources, and materials, to support our students beyond the college environment. The Education Hive Knowledge Hub but it is already showing signs of being a game-changer for us, providing exactly what we need to guide and support our students in a positive, proactive way.’

She continues: ‘In particular, it will be invaluable in equipping us to respond effectively when our students find themselves in crisis situations. The platform offers us access to vital resources and support, which we can rely on with confidence and will have a significantly positive impact on our work with students.’

Beyond providing key resources, the Education Hive platform allows schools and colleges to connect with other stakeholders. She said: ‘We are also incredibly relieved to be able to connect with our key partners—such as the police, fire services, and local authorities—through this platform. The ability to collaborate seamlessly with these services enables us to ensure swift interventions, increasing the chances of positive outcomes. It’s empowering to know that we’re part of a community all working towards the same goal: to keep children and young people safe.’

The platform also allows people to share best practice and expert insights. ‘The Education Hive Knowledge Hub is already proving to be an extremely beneficial resource for us,’ Maxine continues. ‘It is providing a valuable information bank, publicising VRU events and provision, will host discussions around themes of violence prevention sharing expert insights, and encouraging best practice. This will make it easier for us to stay informed and work together to protect our students and give them the best life chances.’

‘We are truly grateful for this new and exclusive platform and feel confident that it will continue to support us in our efforts to reduce youth involvement in violence and crime. It is an essential tool in our ongoing commitment to the safety and success of our students.’

Join other educators like Wigan & Leigh College and access the Education Hive today!

How to join the Education Hive:

1. Sign up to the Knowledge Hub platform.
2. Request to join the Education Hive group.
3. Once accepted, get started by browsing current content, adding your own content and thoughts, and by commenting on discussion topics – all related to and helping to keep children safe.

Join the conversation here

Article posted on: 01/04/2025 12:04pm