Ode to A School

Education is free in the UK but that doesn’t mean it comes without its share of problems: underfunding, lack of qualified teachers, worrisome Ofsted ratings, budget cuts, and limited resources, just to name a few. However, there are still some great schools out there that continue to flourish and support their communities even while facing such challenges. 

One such example is Healey Junior, Infant and Nursery School. Located in Batley, a small quiet town in West Yorkshire, Healey School stands out thanks to its incredible Headteacher Mrs. Luisa Lang. 

Mrs. Lang has continued to strive for excellence since the day she took over as Headteacher, and the results speak for themselves. The school’s Ofsted ratings have risen, attendance has improved and learners are getting quality education while being provided a safe haven for their emotional needs and mental growth. 

Healey School boasts of a team of dedicated and hardworking teachers, many of whom have been a part of Healey for well over five years. The whole team works as a well oiled machine. There is zero discrimination and students are free to be themselves! Discipline issues are dealt with firmly but fairly, and the school has a strong stance against bullying of any kind. Character building happens alongside learning, and correction is prompt and effective. The school upholds high moral values and teachers lead by example. All of this is possible because Mrs. Lang believes that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot meet the diverse needs of children, each of whom deserves to be recognised and celebrated individually. 

Because it takes a village to raise a child, it naturally follows that there must be seamless collaboration between parents/carers, teachers and educators for the child to thrive. 

In this regard, Mrs. Lang has put in significant effort to strengthen the communication between families and the school, thus creating a warm, close-knit school community. I can’t thank her enough for fostering such goodwill and kindness within the community. She has even learned a few Punjabi words to greet some parents who shy away from speaking English. 

With Mrs. Lang at the helm, other staff members also play an active and important role in contributing to the school’s success. 

Ms. A. Bradnum, the Deputy Headteacher, is one of the kindest and most supportive people you could have on your team. In addition to being a brilliant teacher, she has the special gift of forming meaningful connections with the learners. Ms. Bradnum doesn’t just teach, she creates a safe space where learners feel accepted and confident enough to excel. She is a champion for inclusivity and sees the potential in everyone.

Mrs. M.Widdop is officially the SEN Coordinator,  

yet she consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty, to support both students and colleagues. A genuinely caring teacher with a personality to match, Mrs. Widdop is loved by peers and learners alike. Her infinite patience, warmth and understanding have helped transform how learners with special needs experience school, and she is always there as a calm presence during their challenging moments.

Then there is Mrs. G. Ellis, the Attendance, Safeguarding and Behaviour Support Officer-Pastoral who holds uncompromisingly high standards for conduct, yet her firm approach is anchored by a warm and compassionate heart, and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of the students. This “Wonder Woman”  has worked tirelessly to serve the school for 17 long years (and is still going on strong! ) 

You cannot talk about Healey School and fail to mention Mrs.K. Quinn, a very special TA who has been with the school for over a decade now. Few people can match her dedication and commitment. She is fiercely protective of her students and always has their best interests at heart. She has the patience of a saint and is one of the most beloved people at school. The students are very lucky to have a teacher like her, who is firm, fair and deeply respectful towards every learner. 

Mr. A.Hussain, the finance and operations wizard, is intelligent and astute and has the exceptional ability to keep the school running smoothly behind the scenes. He is always there to  offer invaluable support to the school and the Headteacher. Although he has to face the constant headache of making things work within the ‘budget’, he does so with a smile. 

The charming Mrs. T. Ashton is another gem of Healey! She is the go-to person whenever there is a worried parent with a problem or a student that needs help. She’s warm, caring and insightful. Mrs. Ashton navigates the chaos that surrounds a busy school office with remarkable efficiency and composure. Her class and professionalism go hand in hand!

Next I am going to mention an outstanding teacher, Mrs. Maxwell-Strutt. A single visit to Mrs. E. Maxwell-Strutt’s classroom will convince anyone that mathematics can be genuinely fun! This teacher ensures her students have the  foundation and knowledge to succeed in academics while engaging them in a friendly manner. She understands and celebrates her students’ achievements like no one else can. Alongside all of her talent, she is simply a wonderful human being.  

 A shoutout must also go out to Mrs. J. Knapton, who served the community first as an ambulance driver and now excels as an ELSA teacher! Her kindness, patience and understanding have made a noticeable positive impact on many children who lack confidence and struggle to cope at school. She is as wonderful as they come, providing targeted emotional support for children to thrive. Equipped with deep empathy and a fun loving nature, Mrs. Knapton makes every child feel safe and valued. 

Mrs. P. Charlesworth is the upper KS2 lead teacher and is worth her weight in gold! Her leadership and expertise foster stability, encouragement and high standards within the team. She inspires her learners to strive for excellence while providing the guidance and support they need to achieve their full potential. Never one to complain, Mrs. Charlesworth is ready to tackle any challenge that comes her way!

Mrs. A. Hartley is a new addition to the school but her infectious energy and enthusiasm have left their mark on the learners in her class while her kindness have earned her a place in their hearts. 

Her tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed and are evident in how far her students have progressed this year. In a short period of time Mrs. Hartley has proven to be an asset to the team and I hope she continues to shape young minds at Healey.

Another TA worthy of mention is the ever graceful Mrs. A. Laher, whose strength lies in handling classroom disruptions with calmness rather than anger. She is a supportive and considerate teacher’s assistant who is attuned to the needs of her students. She perfectly balances professionalism with empathy and continues to make a difference every single day. 

A special thank you goes out to Mr. N. Ayres who retired this June after a meritorious run at Healey school that spanned more than 15 years. He has been instrumental in shaping young minds and accompanied the learners on numerous school trips, all of which will now be part of their fond memories. I also want to mention Mrs. M. Medley who left Healey this summer after serving the school faithfully for 13 years. She has been a strong pillar of the school community, offering stability and warmth to both staff and students alike. Her presence will be deeply missed but her legacy remains in the lives she has impacted. Thank you for everything!

This letter does not diminish the roles of other key members of the staff. A big thank you goes out to the accomplished and hard working staff members Ms. S. Waza, Ms. M. Patel, and Ms. A. Lomas. These inspiring teachers have fostered a harmonious classroom culture built on mutual trust rather than rigid authority.  

The three amazing HLTAs Mrs. A. Nash, Mrs. D. Canavan and Mrs. S. Amar deserve a shoutout for their dedication, and for creating such a safe, structured, and happy learning environment for the children.  

A round of applause must also go to the incredibly supportive and kind TAs : Ms.A-M Hughes, Mrs. D. Reynard and  Mrs.T. Basar. A debt of gratitude is owed to the lovely trio who look after the learners at breakfast club: Ms. G. Potter, Mrs. Quinn and Ms. Overend. These ladies are at school earlier than everyone else to make sure the children are supervised. Three cheers for Huddersfield Town Foundation for sponsoring the club. 

The dear “lollipop lady” Mrs.W. Goodwin is an unsung hero who keeps the learners safe when crossing the road. She is never too busy to greet someone with a cheerful ‘good morning’ or to give a high-five to a nervous learner. She is also a lunchtime supervisor. 

Thank you to Healey’s great business support officers including Mrs. J. Lockwood, to the fantastic kitchen staff who ensure that learners receive a warm and wholesome meal every day, to the lunchtime supervisors especially Mrs.A.Zaman, to the dedicated cleaning staff, to the caretaker Mr.N. Brown, and to all the members of the Batley Multi Academy Trust for their ongoing support. 

Please forgive me if I have failed to give someone their due. I have celebrated certain staff members with more fervour than the others because they are the ones with whom I have interacted more often. I have not mentioned any teacher from the early years ( Nursery & Reception, year 1, 2 and 3 ) because although they are doing a phenomenal job, I have not had the pleasure of meeting them (my kids are older). Still, hats off to all these lovely teachers: Mrs. C. Virr, Ms.R. Charlett, Mrs. M.Medley, Mrs. Mould, Ms. Rawat, Mrs.N. Dickinson, Mr.M. Rawat, Ms. E. Pickering, Mrs. V. Carroll, Ms. H. Chittenden, Mrs. E. Jodrell Gregson, Ms.G Ingleby, Ms. M. Hussain, Mrs. J. Keogan, Mrs. Luna, Mrs. A. Ibrar, Mrs. B. Carr, Mrs. N.Rashid, Ms. S. Overend, Mrs. R. Raja, and last but not the least, the delightful Mr. M. Johnson. You all are valued and appreciated because not all superheroes wear capes, some dress up as teachers!!

Finally, I end with an ode to Healey School. 

“You are not merely brick, mortar, or stone,

Nor a grid of cold desks where the quiet sit alone.

You are the vibrant pulse, the community’s beating heart,

Where the journey of a thousand minds finds its steady start.”

Once again, thank you Mrs. Lang for being a wonderful Headteacher.

 With Love

A Grateful Parent