Against all odds, Spring Gardens Primary School in St Catherine has blossomed into a beacon of hope.

With an enrolment of 235 students the school has overcome numerous challenges, including limited resources and outdated infrastructure.

Founded by Shiloh Baptist Church and relocated to its current premises in Spring Village in 1976, Spring Gardens Primary transitioned from an all-age to a primary school in 2015.

Principal Shernet Chambers-Bedward is leading this transformation, and her visionary leadership and passion for education have been instrumental in revitalising the school.

“I took on this role to effect change in critical areas of need,” she said. “Our children deserve the best, and I was determined to make Spring Gardens a place where they could thrive.”

The start of the new academic year has been bustling, with parents and students settling in through an engaging orientation.

“The first day is always busy,” Chambers-Bedward explained. “We welcomed parents to a general devotion, informed them about school rules, and allowed them to meet class teachers and participate in setting expectations for the year.”

A key initiative this week is the administration of diagnostic tests for all students.

“The grade one students will undergo the Individual Learning Profile from the Ministry of Education, while students from grades two to six will take the Individual Reading Programme to assess their reading levels,” the principal shared. “These assessments help us understand the students’ needs and tailor our teaching strategies accordingly. We will also conduct diagnostic tests in core subjects like mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts to identify areas for improvement.”

The school’s partnership with The Best Dressed Chicken, part of the Government’s Adopt-a-School programme, remains a cornerstone of its success.

“Their contributions have touched every aspect of our school life,” said Senior Teacher Phyllis Blackwood. “Their support has been invaluable, from providing nutritious meals to upgrading our technology and infrastructure.”

Recently, The Best Dressed Chicken staff volunteered their time to renovate the school bathrooms, significantly improving the facilities for both students and staff.

The school has also seen significant improvements in its academic performance, particularly in literacy and numeracy.

“We’ve implemented a programme called ‘Ignites the Fire’, where teachers provide after-school sessions focused on students who need extra support in these areas,” Chambers-Bedward said. “This initiative has led to a 30 per cent improvement in students’ reading levels and numeracy skills. Many students have advanced from reading at a pre-primer level to a grade-appropriate level, demonstrating the programme’s impact on their academic growth.”

The school’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. It emerged from a recent inspection by the National Education Inspectorate with a “satisfactory” grade, noting improvements in several areas compared to the previous report.

“We have a strong team of teachers who plan their lessons well and execute them effectively,” the principal stated with pride. “Our students are also known for politeness and respect towards visitors.”

Looking to the future, Chambers-Bedward said Spring Gardens Primary is committed to continuous improvement.

“We plan to implement an action plan based on the recommendations from the National Education Inspectorate to ensure even better results in our next inspection,” she said.

Infrastructure development is also high on the agenda.

“We’ve made significant strides, thanks to the support of Jamaica Broilers, who have remodelled our bathrooms and are planning further renovations. We are also looking for ways to involve parents and the community more deeply in supporting our goals, whether through beautification projects, classroom improvements, or volunteering to help with security and extracurricular activities,” she shared.

Reflecting on her journey with the school, Chambers-Bedward said, “When I first joined, the community and the education system were very different. But with new technology, teaching methods, and a dedicated team, we have seen vast improvements in our students’ academic performance.”