By Leah Conway –
Local teachers Peter Simmons and Kate Woodard won two of just 76 Pearson National Teaching Awards in 2020. The two were silver award winners and stood out from thousands of nominations across the UK.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, which has been running since 1998. It aims to recognise teachers across the UK who make transformations impacts on the young people they work with.
The two teachers recently picked up their silver awards and enjoyed a celebration dinner on 24 September, after the 2020 celebrations were postponed. year of post
Peter Simmons, a teacher at Thornhill Junior and Infant School and Boothroyd Primary Academy, won the Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary school. Peter stood out due to his dedication to ensuring pupils had the best resources for development in music lessons and extracurricular clubs. At both schools, every child has a chance to learn a variety of musical instruments, with opportunities to develop these skills at clubs, activities and events.
Kate Woodard of Lyndhurst Primary and Nursery School won the Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year. Kate is a new teacher, developing significant changes within the school’s History and Geography subjects. Kate has also impacted the development of the maths curriculum and created an after-school club exploring social issues in a safe and encouraging environment.
Both schools are part of the Focus Academy Trust, which is a charitable primary schools trust. The charity networks across the North West of England and West Yorkshire.
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“I think it has finally sunk in”
Commenting on the achievement, Peter Simons said: “I think it has finally sunk in, after attending the celebration evening, that I have really won the award. It is an absolute pleasure to have achieved this award.”
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the amazing teaching staff I work with, as well as, of course, the students, who have all taken to every opportunity they are presented with.”
Kate Woodward added: “Never did I expect to be honoured with such an award so early into my career, it feels amazing to see the work you have put into enriching all your student’s educations be recognised nationally.
“And to be recognised at such a wonderful evening made it feel even better, a big thank you to all the teaching staff at Lyndhurst who have supported me, and of course the wonderful students.”