The Waltham Abbey Primary has long been the source of quality education for the community of Wood’s Town and neighbouring communities of Farm Town, Bethel Town and Jack’s Lodge in St Ann.
Located approximately six kilometres from Discovery Bay, the current Waltham Abbey Primary (formerly Waltham Abbey All Age) was built in 1972 by the Canadian Government on approximately two acres of land that was donated to the Jamaican Government by the Michelins.
The school was previously housed in the Waltham Abbey Baptist Church – hence the name Waltham Abbey Primary. It has since had four principals: Conroy Wilson, Aileen Clarke, Neville Wallace and Nigel Palmer, who is in his second year as principal of the school.
The school has a population of 129 students and a staff of five teachers. “Extant data from the Ministry of Education will show that Waltham Abbey Primary boasts the greatest upward movement in literacy scores among primary, primary and junior high and all age schools in North West St Ann… approximately 30%,” boasted principal Nigel Palmer. “Also, in numeracy, we are consistently ranked in the top five schools in the QEC.”
With the help of the Member of Parliament Dr. Dayton Campbell, the school received two computer kits from Food For The Poor Jamaica. “The arrival of the kits was timely, as it coincided with the school’s desire to incorporate more twenty first (21st) century technology in lessons,” noted Mr Palmer.
The school’s new computer lab/resource room is 85% completed and, with the support of the NCB Foundation, should be fully completed for September 2015, Mr Palmer said. Students will be introduced to basic I.T. skills and computer-based learning software. The room will also provide internet access for students’ research. In-class lessons will be bolstered by the use of tablets, as well as the multi-media projector and laptop. The Literacy Programme will also be restructured to facilitate the Jolly Phonics series of workbooks. All teachers will undergo training to ensure the
efficacy of the new programme, Mr Palmer said.
