Today Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, was joined by Vicky Ford, Minister for Children and Families on a virtual visit to Beaumont Hill Academy.
Mike Butler, Chief Executive, Caroline Green, Executive Principal, and Adrian Lynch, Principal of Beaumont Hill Academy attended the meeting following an invitation from Peter Gibson to the Minister.
The academy discussed the ways in which the impact COVID-19 has affected both staff and pupils, and asked for the rollout of digital devices to continue to allow them to continue teaching, whilst pupils are isolating. Mike Butler, Chief Executive of The Education Village Academy Trust also explained the financial impact COVID-9 has had across the trust as a whole.
The academy was particular keen to talk about the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision in Darlington and the ways in which this provision can be expanded.
The Minister praised Beaumont Hill Academy for their hard work in remaining open and their recent shortlisting in the TES Schools Awards 2020 in the category of Alternative Provisions School of the Year when they were up against seven other establishments for the top prize.
Peter Gibson, MP for Darlington, said: “It was a very productive meeting and I look forward to hosting the Minister in person in 2021 to visit Beaumont Hill Academy and other schools in Darlington. I’m keen for the Minister to witness first-hand the tremendous work that is done by schools across Darlington and the astounding ways in which they have responded to the ongoing pandemic, supporting young people across our town.”
