In the Community

Elizabeth Michael Associates and Hucknall National Junior School

It was way back in September 2005 when a member of staff at the Hucknall National Junior School had a brilliant (or was it slightly crazy ?) idea. Basically, the situation was that the school was entering its last year as a Junior school. At the end of that school year, a merger was about to happen between the National Infants and the Juniors.

We had kicked around a few ideas to mark this historic occasion but hadn’t come up with anything until Julia Penniston arrived back from holiday having visited London to see "The Lion King".

"How about taking the whole school down to London to see the Lion King at the very end of the year?" she enthused.

Mike Potter, acting head for the year, said what a great idea it was but thought what a massive undertaking and fraught with problems. However, to cut a long story a bit shorter, the idea gradually took off and arrangements began. An initial poll of parents showed enthusiasm, yet as tickets and transport were costed, parents began to have their doubts. We were beginning to get nervous.

However, a telephone call from John Hyde at Elizabeth Michael Associates whose daughter is at our school suddenly lifted the gloom and lead to a new impetus in the process.

John offered £2000 to be spent on making the trip viable. We agreed that the best way to spend the money was to offer subsidies to parents who did not want their children to go because they couldn’t afford it.

As a consequence, we were able to proceed with the visit safe in the knowledge that every child who wanted to go would be able to.

The money was used in a number of ways. First, there was a straight payment for anyone who could not afford it. Next, most parents accepted a part payment to make it easier and finally, a large part of the money was used to reduce the price for parents who had more than one child in the school. Finally, we were able to treat all of the children to a drink, an ice cream and a souvenir programme.

It was a fantastic trip and a memorable way to mark the occasion. Of course, we had to choose the hottest day of the year but the excitement of taking practically every child and a huge contingent of parents to see such a striking show made everything worthwhile. We also realised that, without the generosity of Elizabeth Michael Associates, the impact of the occasion would have been far less.

There is still a small amount of money left in the fund and it is still being used to help children to go on visits or to make visits viable where costs would be prohibitive.
At the time, no-one knew of the donation but the effects of it were felt throughout the school.

Mike Potter
Acting Head - Hucknall National Junior School