Home Page Haverhill News

VIRTUAL learning zone for everybody n Haverhill could be created at Samuel Ward Upper School.

The school’s headteacher Howard Lay spelled out his vision as the school launched its new Technology college status.

A packed audience of business and community representatives, parents, governors and staff gathered to celebrate the success of the school’s bid for technology college status, which will bring around £400,000 in extra funding over three years.

Mr Lay said many pupils were already using distance learning and other technological advances, such as interactive white boards, which would be extended.

Two science labs had been refurbished, with others to follow and the library was becoming a learning resource centre. The school was also one of the top 50 improved schools in the country this year and was awarded arts mark gold status.

Pupils had internet access 24 hours a day and there are already links to four primary schools and one middle school in the town. It is planned to extend this so that all schools in the town and the wider community benefit from the resources at Samuel Ward.

“Computers won’t replace teachers and the success of the school in my view is to be measured by more than just exam resUlts.

“A successful child is one that becomes not just clever and intelligent, but socially aware, independent and sensitive. Computers do not have souls, we need more than if to develop the whole person,” Mr Lay said.

Guest of honour at the launch was Sir Geoff Hampton, a leading education adviser and former headteacher who transformed a failing school. He congratulated Samuel Ward on its ethos as a caring, sharing school, where people worked well with each other.

MP Richard Spring said the launch was a part of the continuing success story of Haverhill.

Former headteacher Peter Roberts, who launched the technology college bid three years ago, was at the launch, along with Mayor of St Edmundsbury Coun Brian Bagnell.

Pupils Richard Tabor and Yvonne Beddow hosted the afternoon, introducing chairman of governors Bob Shepstone, with music from Lucy and Ben Welch and dancing by Year 10 students.

CAPTION: The new logo and motto, which was unveiled at the launch.