Schools from across the country are being urged to enter their star staff for a prestigious set of awards dubbed “the Oscars for teachers”.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards celebrate excellence in education across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As the deadline for submissions looms, previous winners are calling on schools to put forward their most inspirational teachers for the awards, which will be broadcast on national television.
Keith Berry, headteacher at Park Community Academy in Blackpool, who won the gold award for “lifetime achievement”, found that his win had a positive effect on pupils, as well as himself.
“The children lived every moment as they watched the BBC TV highlights in our assembly, clapping and cheering along as though they were present at the ceremony themselves,” he said.
“It was a truly magical moment to gain their unreserved and unprompted recognition. It was an especially proud moment for me personally.”
Founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam, the awards are designed to highlight the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach.
Liz Ormerod, headteacher at Delph Side Primary School in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, gold award-winners for primary school of the year, added: “Teaching is a whole school effort, and so you’re not just thanking one person, you’re giving a whole team the chance to celebrate each other’s success.”
Entry is free, and the awards are open to all state and independent schools and FE colleges. Entries close at midnight on Friday, February 28.
Schools that want to enter a colleague should visit www.teachingawards.com/entry-forms/
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