A really important visit this morning to Spring Common Academy in Huntingdon.
Spring Common Academy is a community special school for pupils aged 3-19 with special needs in the Huntingdon area. As part of the Horizons Education Trust it is the sister school of the nearby Prestley Wood Academy, newly opened at Alconbury Weald.
It was wonderful to see the school, visit the Christmas Fair pupils were running today and see some of the important teaching and support being given to children. I also had the opportunity to participate in a challenging Q&A with pupils; we all agreed on more football!
The school desperately requires more funding from Cambridgeshire County Council in order to facilitate the county’s obligation to pupils as per their EHCPs. I was also concerned to hear of the County Council’s proposal to axe SEN after-school activities funding given the additional strain this will place on parents who desperately need that support to help manage often very challenging circumstances. I will be asking questions of the County Council given their dire track record exacerbated by staff turnover.
My thanks to Headteacher Rebecca Greig for inviting me to visit the school and outlining what is required in order to ensure her pupils receive the best school experience.
