Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak visited King Solomon Academy (KSA) today to see how the school has been supporting students impacted by the pandemic.
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak took a tour around the school and joined a Year 7 French class, took part in a Year 9 biology experiment in the science lab and joined a discussion with students in Years 11 and 13.
They also met with KSA Principal, Max Haimendorf, to hear his views on where Government support for school recovery should be focused.
Speaking on his visit to the all-through school that serves students from Nursery to Sixth Form, the Prime Minister said:
“I am delighted to be here at King Solomon Academy in Marylebone. The pupils have been telling me that they are very pleased to be back in school, and we must now make sure that we focus on all to ensure that they can catch up on the lost learning they have experienced. I was able to say a big thank you to all pupils for getting through this.”
The Prime Minister talks to KSA’s Head Boy Kaan Oyzoyn and Head Girl Hanae Benariba.
Principal Max Haimendorf OBE said: “I am very proud of the way that KSA students have got through the last 12 months. They have shown great resilience and strength. But we know that there is a need for sustained support to ensure that all students can make a long-term recovery.
“Through the last 12 months, we have been working hard to ensure all our students continue to learn well, both in the school and remotely during lockdowns. That has involved specific support with adapting the curriculum, investing in student health and wellbeing, and providing digital devices to all who need them.
KSA has lent more than 400 devices to its students which are now being used to protect against the advent of a bubble bursting and to encourage independent learning outside of school hours.
Max also used the opportunity of the visit to push the PM and Chancellor on improved support for pre-school education. KSA is soon to open a new nursery for two to four-year-olds on its site.
“Early years is vital to close long-term education gaps, and I was able to reflect the importance of investing in children at this point if we are to ensure they can properly fulfil their potential through their school years.”
You can find more information about Ark’s overarching Covid-19 response here.
