Two Radlett schools have been given a national award for their exceptional work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Poppy Academy Trust, which comprises of St John’s Nursery & Infant School and Fair Field Junior School, was honoured with a Pearson National Teaching Silver Award in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.
The trust, led by Alice Aharon, Davinia Leggett and Catherine Goodwin, rigorously planned what lockdown/homeschool might look like for their pupils weeks prior to the start of government restrictions.
As the pandemic continued, there was constant innovation to continue to motivate the children to come online daily and complete their learning.
The return to school between and after lockdowns were vibrant, with balloons, music and excitement and packed with opportunities; including a bespoke three-week recharge curriculum where children immersed themselves in science, art and outdoor pursuits.
The Poppy Academy Trust has now been shortlisted to win one of just 12 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.
Alice, Catherine and Davinia said: “We remain exceptionally proud of our school community, who collaboratively ensured the well-being, education and wider opportunities remained in place for each and every child.
“We wish to thank all our staff, governors, pupils and the parents and carers and dedicate this award to them.”
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.
Pictured left to right: Left to right: Catherine Goodwin, head of school at Fair Field; Davinia Leggett, head of school at St. John’s; and Alice Aharon, executive headteacher of both schools and CEO of the Poppy Academy Trust
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