CLASS CHAT
Gold award for local school that really ‘Go4it’
wo students from The Meadows Special School in Leek enjoyed the proudest moment of their school careers when they travelled to London to pick up a gold award earlier this year. Sixth formers Emma Keen from Leek and James Hancock from Biddulph visited the House of Lords with their teachers Joan Wright and Yvonne Thirlaway from the school, in Springfield Road where they were presented with the prestigious gold award, the highest possible, from HTI (Head Teachers and Industry Limited) to celebrate their engagement with employers. HTI, a national charity dedicated to giving back to schools, students and their communities, believes that every child will have increased life chances if there is a close working relationship between education, business, government and public services. And, after HTI manager Tracey Giddings visited The Meadows, which takes in secondary age students from Leek, and the Moorlands, she awarded the school the highest possible accolade – a gold Go4it award. The school has been praised for its spirit of adventure and the ‘can do’ attitude of both staff and students. A framed certificate and pewter Oscar’s style statuette is now proudly displayed in the school foyer as testament to the Meadows’ demonstrating a commitment to creating a culture that develops innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship to inspire and challenge all learners and improve their life chances. Deputy head at The Meadows, Mrs Joan
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Wright, who accompanied the students on their train journey to London where they enjoyed afternoon tea at the House of Lords, told Leek Life: “We never stand still at The Meadows. We are always looking at innovative ways to enhance students’ learning and enriching the curriculum. “We had to show our assessors that we are a forward thinking school with good links with the local community. “Since moving to Leek from Biddulph we have worked hard to establish those links and we do particularly well at providing our students with work experience and opportunities for enterprise.” Projects at The Meadows include a horticulture project which involves sixth formers growing and selling plants, a market stall and links with the Moorlands’ voluntary sectors through Jill Norman, head of the Staffordshire Moorlands Community and Voluntary Services. The Rt. Hon The Lord Knight of Weymouth, James Knight, presented the group from The Meadows with their award at a special reception in Westminster. Student Emma Keen said: “It was really exciting to travel down to Lond ?????????????????????!???????1????????????????Q???????????????I???Q????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????!???????1????t?Q????????????????????????5????????????e?????Q?????????I??!???1???-????????]?????)????-??????????-?????5????????????????)????]?????)????!???????????Q????? ????????!Q'?e? ???????????1????1????M???????=???????????((