A decade of celebration
Lord Puttnam with guests at the 2007 national Teaching Awards ceremony
More than 100 national winners, with over 1000 years teaching experience between them, will celebrate the tenth birthday of the Teaching Awards at an anniversary summit next week. It comes in a year when record nominations (8,400) have been achieved, with 50 per cent from children and young people.
The summit, hosted by Lord Puttnam CBE who founded the awards a decade ago, is an opportunity for gold plato winners - a unique group of leaders and ambassadors from the teaching profession - to meet and discuss a vision of education for the decade ahead.
Sebastian Coe, champion athlete and chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, will open the summit with thoughts on the priceless contribution of teachers to children’s lives and prospects.
Other speakers are Adam Hart-Davies, the science enthusiast, Ian Gilbert, independent thinking expert and James Naughtie, a presenter of Radio 4’s Today programme.
The two-day event is sponsored by the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust and by the General Teaching Council (England).
Sharing expertise has always been at the heart of the Teaching Awards and one outcome of the summit will be a book of contributions, sent to Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Education. Creativity, assessment and how to engage disaffected pupils are among topics already chosen by winners for debate.
Lord Puttnam said: ‘We know that every award winner is a leading professional whose success can serve as an inspiration to colleagues throughout the country. The summit offers a unique platform to do just that.’
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee said: ‘It gives me great pleasure to recognise and celebrate the contribution of exceptional teachers in this Olympic year as they are the inspiration and driving force for many youngsters. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a unique opportunity to engage and inspire young people and we are planning to make the most of that with the launch of the London 2012 Education Programme in the autumn this year.’
Elizabeth Reid, Chief Executive of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said: ‘Collaboration and sharing best practice are the best way of raising standards in education. Bringing together these award-winning teachers provides an excellent opportunity to look at the challenges schools are facing and to develop solutions, so that more young people have access to a world class education. We too are committed to this aim, which is why we are excited to be sponsoring this important summit.’
Fiona Johnson, Director of Communications at the General Teaching Council for England, said: ‘This summit is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work of talented and committed teachers. Sharing ideas and effective practice is at the heart of professional development which, in turn, helps pupils fulfil their potential. The summit will provide a wealth of innovative ideas and we look forward to a stimulating debate.’
