History of the Good Hope Basic School
Good Hope Basic School was established in response to the need for a proper early childhood system of education for the children of Red Ground, Jamaica. Prior to this schools establishment, education at that level was provided by two well known and well revered women of the community- Miss Dolly and Miss Leah Flannighan. The former was deaf yet she taught the students to read and write largely by lip signals. Both women kept school under trees in their yards when it was dry and in their one room dwelling when it rained. The small donations from the parents were their only means of sustenance.

As time went by more enlightened and aware citizens expressed the need for something more structured and the Primary School PTA meetings became the forum for discussion and planning. The first step was that the Principal of the Primary School was asked to visit the schools as well as to have the “private school” teacher visit the primary school and observe. Miss Flannighan agreed but Miss Dolly refused.

Then in 1973 when the then Prime Minister asked the nation to put work into Labour Day, erecting a Basic School was the community project. But no one with lands was willing to lease for the purpose. The churches were approached to let their buildings be used and this request was turned down because “the children would mess up the building in addition to desecrating ‘the Lord’s House”. A shed was erected at the back of the Primary School by the community in 1973 on Labour Day. Miss Flannighan was the principal. Due to old age and failing health she left and Miss Elaine Edwards took over. In 1976 the political administration in the area changed and the M.P. and the counselors were contacted by the PTA to assist with a building. This they agreed to. The school board agreed to have the school built on its present site. The lands on which the Primary School and Basic School are built was originally owned by the Diocese of Jamaica. The old Good Hope School was an Anglican Mission St. Barnab fith the growth of the Primary School the altar area of the church had to be removed to accommodate the school hence the Basic School was seen to be ideal to relocate the mission.

The Good Hope Basic School was completed in 1978 and Miss Edwards along with Miss Kong were the teachers. The Principal of the Primary School was the Corresponding sponsor. The school, though not enjoying government recognition was visited by early childhood officers and the teachers attended workshops.

This building was completely destroyed by fire in November of 1980 by political thugs, causing teachers and students to have classes under sheds and trees on the compound. In 1982 the school was rebuilt by the government.

In 1987 the school was recognized by the government. In 1988 the building was expanded through a grant of $20,000 and assistance in term of labour from some parents. The windows were put in and an office and bathroom added.

The teachers and students are an integral part of the Primary School, as they share the facilities, eg. Tuckshop, bathroom, among others.
In 2002 the Primary School Principal on behalf of the PTA made an application to JSIF for assistance to the school. They responded positively by giving a New Basic School and perimeter fencing of the entire Primary School Property.

The school today can accommodate 300 students, with present enrollment at 255. There is a canteen, and auditorium which houses 3 classes, a staff room, a sick bay/room, an office and a room for a library. The nearest neighbors are Bartons Primary situated 8 ½ miles north and Davis Primary situated 5 ½ miles to the south.

The school has embarked on many extra curricular activities such as netball and football competitions and has been successful even without a proper play field, has formed a drumming group of which this group entered the JCDC Festival of Arts and won a gold medal.
There are six teachers on staff deployed as follows:

• Grade 1- Mrs. Dorothy Fairweather     Diploma Trained
• Grade 2 – Miss Tara Blake   Pre-trained(3rd Year MICO Evening School)
• Grade 3 – Mrs. Linnette Brown   Diploma Trained
• Grade 4 – Miss Lucille Wallace   Trained Graduate
• Grade 5 – Mrs. Tyone Edawards   Diploma Trained
• Grade 6 – Mrs. Pothier Bernard  Trained Graduate
• Principal Mrs. Michele Hins-Williams

School Motto: Only the Best is Good Enough
Philosophy: “What The Child Can Conceive The Child Can Achieve”
Mission Statement: Good Hope Primary School is committed to building and maintaining a healthy school relationship along with providing opportunities for students to become functionally literate as well as culturally, socially and spiritually aware, through meaningful learning experiences and the development of a positive self concept and sound moral attitude.