Courtyard Official Opening

Pupils, staff, parents, governors and honoured guests of SMMA: The Courtyard celebrated the official opening of their successful Special school on Friday 10 May 2019 with a wonderful array of pupil performances and heart-warming speeches.

The opening was the perfect opportunity to celebrate the successes already experienced by pupils of the school, as well as inspiring current and future pupils and parents to achieve the potentials of a wonderful group of individuals within the local community.

The event was attended by important members of the local community including pupils and parents of the school, as well as Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who performed the official opening act and the Mayor of Islington, Dave Poyser.

Deborah Shepherd, Headteacher of the Courtyard, comments ‘The Courtyard serves a unique service in the local community. As a small, purpose-built educational provision for young people with ASC, we provide the perfect environment for this inspiring group of individuals to achieve their potential in all areas of their lives, academically, socially and emotionally. It is a huge honour to serve as the headteacher of the Courtyard and to host this celebration today.’

As part of the celebrations, guests were entertained with a stunning re-enactment of Shakespeare’s Hamlet by a group of pupils, and then moved to tears by a fantastic violin performance by pupil Henry Walker. The celebrations were brought to a close by Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Chaplain to Her Majesty, the Queen. Rev. Rose spoke about the significant need for schools like the Courtyard in the local community, and how the Courtyard pupils are the salt of the community; they add flavour.