Last week, the Teaching Awards 2001 held its first regional prize-giving ceremonies, which acknowledged the achievements of teachers in schools within the North-west, Northern Ireland, and the West Midlands. Unfortunately, the newly appointed Education and Skills Secretary, Estelle Morris, could not attend the ceremony in Sutton Coldfield due to work demands. Nonetheless, the Belfast ceremony was graced by Northern Ireland Education Minister, Martin McGuinness, who delivered an impassioned keynote speech on unity. The event featured several winners, including Sister Bronagh Mckeown of St Dallan’s Primary School in County Down, who earned commendation as a teacher who has dedicated her entire life to education.
Elsewhere, more winners were celebrated in the North-west ceremony in Liverpool. Judges recognized Alan Jackson of St Paul’s CofE Primary in Bolton, Lancashire, as an exceptional team player that received high praises from pupils. Graeme Brock of All Saints CofE Primary School in Marple won the BT award for Teacher of the Year in a primary school, with judges describing him as an anchor for the school. Similarly, Hyde Technology School in Hyde, Tameside, Greater Manchester, emerged victorious in two categories. Atia Azam, a support teacher, won the award for Learning Support Assistant of the Year for capping the school’s efforts in the large local Bangladeshi community. The school’s headteacher, Barry Cooke, secured a massive reception on winning the Lifetime Achievement award after turning around the fortunes of a school that had only 200 pupils to one with over 1,400 pupils.
All these regional winners will now be subjected to consideration by national judges, with the final winners slated to be revealed on October 28 at a gala event at the Theatre Royal in London.
Furthermore, the Teaching Awards 2001 held ceremonies for the West Midlands and Northern Ireland regions. In the West Midlands, John King of Greswold Primary School in Solihull and Lynne Wells of Byng Kenrick Central School in Birmingham won the BT Teacher of the Year category for primary and secondary schools, respectively. Dr Tessa Hill of Adams’ Grammar School in Newport, Shropshire, won the Guardian Award for Outstanding New Teacher. Pat Hazlehurst of Christ Church Primary in Bilston won the Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership. In contrast, Audrey Windridge of Brierley Hill Primary in Brierley Hill won the Lloyds TSB Award for Working with Parents and the Community. Awards for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching and Learning Support Assistant of the Year went to Debbie Prigg of Westlands First School in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire, Gary Brown of Ridgewood High School in Stourbridge, and Maria Pugh of John Wilkinson Primary School in Broseley, Shropshire, respectively. Merle Lippitt of Rushbury C of E Controlled in Church Stretton and Heather Fairs of Haybridge School and Sixth-form College in Hagley, Stourbridge, both won the Lifetime Achievement category for primary and secondary schools, respectively. Keith Phipps of King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys in Kingsheath, Birmingham, won the award for Most Creative Use of ICT.
In Northern Ireland, Hilary Russell of Clough Primary School in Clough, Downpatrick, Co. Down, won the BT Award for Teacher of the Year, while Heather Stewart of Slemish College in Ballymena, Co. Antrim, earned recognition for Outstanding New Teacher. Sister Bronagh Mckeown of St Dallan’s Primary in Warren Point, Co. Down, won the Leadership Trust Award for School Leadership. Gary Trew of Massereene Community College in Antrim took the Lloyds TSB Award for Working with Parents and the Community. The awards for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching and Learning Support Assistant of the Year went to Mary McCrossan of Foyle View School in Derry and Stephanie Curry of Killard House School in Newtownards, Co. Down. Roberta Smith of Ashlea Primary & Nursery School in Londonderry and Miriam Rapson of Slemish College won the Learning Support Assistant of the Year category for primary and secondary schools, respectively. Joseph Rea of Aquinas Diocesan Grammar School in Belfast managed to snag the Most Creative Use of ICT award.
Rewritten:
The Guardian recognizes outstanding new teacher Graeme Brock from All Saints CofE Primary School in Marple, Stockport, Cheshire. The Leadership Trust honors school leader Alan Jackson from St Paul’s CofE Primary in Bolton, Lancashire. Christopher Wood from Barrow Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Clitheroe, Lancashire and Jack Pickford from Crompton House Church of England Voluntary Aided High School in Oldham receive the Lloyds TSB Award for Working with Parents and the Community. Pauline Fielding from St Michael’s RC Primary School in Liverpool is recognized for Excellence in Special Needs Teaching, alongside Sharron Hardman from Gorsefield Primary in Radcliffe, Manchester and Sharon Asquith from Fleetwood High in Fleetwood, Lancashire. The Award for Learning Support Assistant of the Year goes to Atia Azam from Hyde Technology School in Tameside, Greater Manchester. Finally, Hyde Technology School’s Barry Cooke is celebrated for his Lifetime Achievement.
