Principal Major Andrew Skeete has touted the success of the Grantley Adams Memorial School in the area of inclusive education, as the 70-year-old St Joseph school continues to reshape how it supports and develops its students.
Speaking after a visit from Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, Regent of Igboland on Friday, Skeete explained that a major focus over the past several years has been creating a flexible learning environment that caters to students of all abilities. “We see ourselves as an inclusive school, especially in the area of special education and special needs,” he said, noting that the curriculum has been structured to allow students to progress at their own pace.
He added: “Every child that comes to Grantley should sit English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Integrated Science and a computer-based subject, irrespective of the awarding body.” This approach, he explained, allows students to pursue different certification pathways such as CSEC, CCSLC, or City and Guilds, depending on their strengths.
Skeete pointed out that this inclusive model has contributed to steady academic performance across programmes. While CSEC results remain an area for improvement, he noted that other certification tracks consistently achieve pass rates between 60 and 80 percent, helping to strengthen the school’s overall performance.
Beyond academics, the principal emphasised the importance of providing holistic support for students, particularly those who may need additional guidance. “We partner with external agencies to provide wraparound services,” he said, referencing collaborations with counselling services and national programmes aimed at supporting at-risk youth. “We recognize what we have, and we try to support them in every way possible.”
He also highlighted growth in extracurricular activities, especially sports. “For the first time in a long time, we’ve been able to fill a football team, basketball team, cricket team and cross-country team,” Skeete shared, adding that recent performances in Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships (BSSAC) Esther Maynard and Shane Brathwaite zones where the boys placed sixth and the girls placed eighth, marked some of the school’s best results to date.
In addition to academics and athletics, the school continues to instill a strong sense of identity and heritage among its students. “We try to train our students as it relates to our African heritage… Dr, His Royal Highness said today, that they are royalty,” he said, describing ongoing efforts to build confidence and pride.
A teacher at the school pointed to practical initiatives designed to prepare students for life beyond school. She explained that the institution runs a cafeteria work programme where students apply for positions using CVs and required documentation. They go through the full application process, scheduled to work, and they receive payment for their services. This programme is to be a key step in building real-world skills for when the students start to work.
Skeete maintained that while progress has been encouraging, there is still room for growth. “I believe we can do better,” he said, affirming the school’s continued commitment to improving outcomes for all students.
Looking forward to the activities ahead, Grantley Adams will be one of the only schools celebrating their African Day fair on March 31.
(LE)
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