This week schools are breaking up for the long summer holiday. Throughout the academic year I have visited a number of primary and secondary schools across the constituency from Ardingly to Warnham. I know how hard all the teaching staff have been working to give children a “normal” academic year, as undisturbed by Covid as possible and to help children catch up with the learning they missed during the pandemic.
Most children and young people really missed the school learning environment and it has been great to see them back enjoying learning and being with their classmates. It is also great that school trips have been able to resume; including school trips to the Palace of Westminster which last week included groups from Collyers and Tanbridge who I enjoying introducing to the Commons Chamber.
This academic year we have also seen the opening of two new school sites; Bohunt Horsham and Woodgate Primary School. Both sites are very impressive and I am pleased both have become part of the highly thought of community of schools we have in and around Horsham.
It was great to see so many Horsham schools taking part in the Horsham Children’s Parade a few weeks ago. The theme this year was the natural world and it was great to see how each school interpreted this theme differently which ranged from parading penguins and turtles to colourful birds. I am so pleased the parade was able to return this year and the children were able to display their creativity.
As we head into the summer holidays it is important that young people feel supported, particularly when it comes to their emotional wellbeing and mental health. Over the break, Horsham District Council are running a series of free support sessions for parents of teenagers. More information about the sessions can be found here: https://www.horsham.gov.uk/community/children-and-young-people/support-sessions-for-young-people-and-parents?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Orlo
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to all our teaching staff who I know have worked incredibly hard over the academic year. I know many are actively involved in school activities even over the holidays but I wish them well for the summer break.
