Two teachers at St Ambrose College in Hale Barns have been recognised at this year's Pearson National Teaching Awards, with BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent visiting the school to mark the occasion.
Nugent was on hand to announce that Mrs Layla Taylor, Head of Drama, had received a Bronze Award in the Secondary Teacher of the Year category, and that colleague Miss Shelley McCrory, Head of RE, had gone one better with a Silver Award in the same category – putting her in contention for a Gold Award, to be announced on BBC One's The One Show in November.
The announcements were made on National Thank a Teacher Day, with students and staff gathering in the central atrium to hear Nugent read aloud the nominations for both teachers.
Taylor was praised for helping students find their voice through Drama, as well as her wider contributions to teaching and learning across the college – including championing research-informed teaching practice and co-writing two original productions, Real People and To Be Seen, both exploring themes of vulnerability and emotional openness.
McCrory, whose Silver Award takes her to an awards ceremony in London on 7th July, was recognised for outstanding examination results and her leadership of the RE department.
Her nominators highlighted her role in whole-school staff development, chaplaincy, and her commitment to St Ambrose's sister school in Sierra Leone – where a school house has been named in her honour.
Principal Mr Rainey said both teachers were "fully deserving of these awards", adding: "Listening to the nominations was an important reminder of just how much they, and indeed all staff across the school, give to the boys both inside and outside the classroom.
"Both Shelley and Layla fully represent the college's mission statement – evident in their commitment to those on the margins of our society. In Shelley's case, she is integral to the advocacy work undertaken by the boys, with Layla able to highlight so many key issues around vulnerability and social justice in a powerful, unique way. We are all incredibly proud of both of them."
Now in their 28th year, the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust and supported by Pearson and the BBC.
