George Eustice MP was delighted to be invited to formally open Bodriggy School as an Academy.
George joined David May, Head-teacher, as well as Governors, Guests and Staff in an event to herald the new status, as well as to celebrate the fantastic sporting and musical successes that the School has enjoyed over recent years.
A wide range of guests spoke about their particular professions. Rob Cook, who plays for the Cornish Pirates, spoke about playing to enjoy whilst emphasising the importance of taking every opportunity life offers. The Mayor, John Bennett, spoke about how proud they should be of the successes their School has achieved. Finally, George praised the School for their brave decision in becoming an Academy. He said the Government had given the School and its pupils the opportunity to achieve more and meet any challenges they encounter with their own solutions. He also encouraged pupils to take pride in their uniform and their school.
George Eustice said, “This is a school that has come a long way in the last ten years and is now rated as outstanding by the schools regulator. One of the Governors told me that at every meeting they ask themselves the question, “how can we make it even better next year?” So far they have used their new Academy freedoms to create a new reception area and to employ a full time speech therapist to give intense support to children starting at school but who have difficulties with communication. I think this is absolutely crucial because unless children can communicate and use language, they will never learn other skills, will slip further and further behind the rest of their class and become resentful and disruptive by the time they are teenagers. It is so good to see a school using the Academy status to make proactive and positive changes to their schools.”
George is pictured with Head-teacher, David May, Guests, and Academy Pupil Prefects. The new uniform has been designed by the pupils.