Prime Minister makes special visit to Bovingdon Primary Academy

A primary school in Hemel Hempstead received a special visit from the Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday, June 19.

Pupils and staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy, one of six Aspire Academies Trust schools in Hertfordshire, welcomed the special visitor on Friday morning.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson had expressed a wish to visit a successful Hertfordshire Primary School and spent the morning talking with staff and pupils, joining in with lessons and hosting a Question and Answer session with the pupils.

He was keen to see, at first hand, how schools have been managing to welcome back increasing numbers of pupils during the COVID-19 crisis.

He also wanted to share thoughts about managing the return of all pupils as soon as this can be safely managed, as well as the announcement made on Friday, regarding the £1bn National Catch-Up Tutoring Fund.

Through this visit, Aspire Academies Trust are delighted to have had an opportunity to represent all of the Aspire schools and to acknowledge the fantastic job that all staff members have been doing.

The staff have been going the extra mile and adapting rapidly to changing circumstances, in order to do the best for their children and schools.

Shereen Breslin, Principal said: "We’ve been working tirelessly to ensure that we continue to provide an education with limitless opportunities to help prepare the children for future success.

“It was such an honour for the children to have their school identified as being an example of what a great school does to provide a holistic learning experience for their pupils.

"The Prime Minister commented on how amazing both staff and pupils were, and even chatted to parents when leaving, praising the education their children were receiving.

"He was delighted to hear how all children whether in school or learning from home were able to access the same resources-including videos to help bring the videos to life for them."

Since learning that schools would be welcoming back more pupils from June 1, The Aspire Academies Trust Central Team have worked closely with its Principals, Premises and Catering

teams to meticulously prepare each of its school sites; the over-riding priority was to ensure that pupils and staff felt safe as schools opened more widely.

It was also important that pupils, staff and parents were made aware of the ways in which school would look and feel different, so that everyone could quickly adjust to their new routines and expectations.

Like so many others, staff at Bovingdon Primary Academy have been working tirelessly and continuously throughout the period of part-closures to ensure that provision for its pupils is the

best that it can be.

Whether learning in school, or engaged in home-learning, pupils have been able to access quality learning experiences, with a strong focus on well-being and enjoyment, as well as a gradual return to key learning in English, Maths and the wider curriculum.

Vicky Parsey, CEO, Aspire Academies Trust: "I’m delighted with the way all of our schools have prioritised high levels of engagement and communication with our children, families and

communities during this very difficult time."

With increasing numbers of pupils returning to school, staff have noted that the children are delighted to be back, to see their friends and teachers and to be able to begin to return to a more normal routine.

They are also very aware that each child's experiences during part-closures have been different and that they will need time to talk, listen and share. They also acknowledge the need to re-build strong and trusting relationships and to gradually support the children in the transition back into school.

Aspire Academies Trust has been worked with the parent communities during this time, and have been delighted with the positive responses received and with the way in which our school communities have flourished during the very challenging COVID-19 crisis.

The children were clearly thrilled to welcome their special visitor.

The visit of The Prime Minister, who also celebrated his birthday on Friday, gave the children a memorable opportunity to showcase their school and everything they enjoy about it and it will remain in their memories for years to come.

Lara, one of the pupils, said: "We got the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister in our ‘Bubble Classroom’ and it was a great experience!"

It was such an honour for the children to have their school identified as being an example of what a great school does to provide a holistic learning experience for their pupils.

The Prime Minister commented on how amazing both staff and pupils were, and even chatted to parents when leaving, praising the education their children were receiving.

He was delighted to hear how all children whether in school or learning from home were able to access the same resources - including videos to help bring the videos to life for them.