Quotes from the stage
2008 UK ceremony presenters, Jeremy Vine and Myleene Klass
Celebrities were full of praise for eleven special individuals and their schools when they were presented with a UK Teaching Award. In front of a 2,000 strong-audience at the London Palladium, winners and celebrities praised and celebrated the teaching profession.
‘My family is full of teachers – both my parents and my sister teach – but I escaped. Like Dr Who, teachers are often oddly dressed. I’m very pleased to give this award to a teacher at the school my mum, dad and grandma went to.’
Welsh award-winning writer, Russell T Davies
I tell my kids that if they’re feeling nervous, they should imagine the audience naked, so that’s what I’m doing now. This award is for my pupils because they are why I went into teaching. I wanted to make a difference and I’m glad that people think I have. This is for all new teachers – you are outstanding. I don’t feel that I deserve this any more than them.’
UK winner of the SSAT Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year, Natalie Richards from Bishop Gore Comprehensive School, Swansea.
‘At school, I was good at some things and exceptionally mediocre at other things, but generally I was happy at school. My parents said, these will be the happiest days of your life and looking back, they were fantastic.’
‘There’s a good reason why I wanted to present this award – the winner is a teacher from my old school. When I left it was a good school, but since he started he’s taken it on and made it into an exceptional place.’
The ONE show presenter, Adrian Chiles
‘I am very conscious that in this room there are 12 outstanding secondary school head-teachers, and many more across the country. It’s almost impossible to pick just one top teacher. I’d like to accept this on behalf of the many committed teachers there are.
‘I would also like to accept this on behalf of the children. I have taught at Haybridge for 20 years and had had some outstanding colleagues, so thank you to them for their years of hard work. The most important thing is the students I’ve taught over the years. They really have been a remarkable group of young people and continue to be so.’
UK winner of the Royal Air Force Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School, Melvyn Kershaw from Haybridge High School and Sixth Form, Stourbridge.
‘It is just absolutely wonderful to be up here. I receive this award on behalf of everyone at Woodlands Primary School. I’d like to thank all my family, the staff and children – they are the best in the world.’
UK winner of the TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year, Mandy Skillen from Woodlands Primary School, Birkenhead, Liverpool
‘I was absolutely rubbish at everything at school, apart from history. That’s the best thing about A Levels, you can do history, English, politics and bin everything else. I’m innumerate and can’t speak a word of French.’
TV presenter and historian, Dan Snow
‘I just want to say thank you to everybody. Thanks to Laura for putting me through and to the fantastic senior management team who have been forward-thinking and supportive all the way through. Teaching children with special needs is not easy, as I’m sure you can all imagine and I was supported by the most wonderful team of teachers and support assistants in the school.
‘A special thought for the children at the Royal School for the Deaf and Communications Disorders because they are unique children, each and every one of them achieves to the best of their ability and they can’t do that without the fantastic support of the team that’s around them.’
UK winner of the Award for Special Needs Teacher of the Year, Anne Gough from Royal School for the Deaf and Communication Disorders, Cheadle, Cheshire
‘One great advantage of doing a year’s teacher training was that I got to see the hard work and dedication. So, if you get the chance to sideline into show-business you should do it.
‘You guys know better than anyone about performance and belief in performance.'Anyone can tell you that one crucial teacher can shift you sideways.’
Glasgow born actor, Bill Paterson
‘I would like to thank all of the people who have been involved in making me the successful teacher that I hope I am. And thank you to the teaching awards for bringing together a wonderful group of people whose daily endeavour is the enrichment of young people’s lives.’
UK winner of the Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, David Miller from St Ninian’s High School, Glasgow
‘To be here in front of teachers who are mentors for lots of children, is an honour.’
Dancing on Ice winner, Suzanne Shaw
‘I’m having an out-of-body experience – my body is on the stage but my emotions are swinging from the chandeliers and bouncing off the walls. I hold the school very dear to my heart. I have had an amazing career and am really honoured to receive this award.
‘I am walking two inches taller, I feel like I’ve grown in stature since receiving this award. Thank you Teaching Awards, I won’t let you down with this, you’ve set my standards high.’
UK winner of the BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School, Libby Pryce from Pitt Street Infant School, Mexborough, Yorks
‘This isn’t down to one single person, it’s down to a large number of people. We’ve heard my pupils say that Mr Minnock believed in them, but who believed in Mr Minnock. I have been supported by a number of people over the years, the department, other teachers, parents and industrialists.
‘I say to every teacher out there – trust in young people, they will deliver.’
UK winner of the Teaching Award for Enterprise, Thomas Minnock from Linton Village College, Cambridge
‘I was a teacher myself for a year in France and it was the hardest job I have done. The amount of attention, focus and dedication you have to put in a classroom is extraordinary. Teachers deserve every award they can get in my book.’
BBC newsreader, Sophie Raworth
‘We’ve seen a renaissance in early years education in recent years.
‘I feel like I’m accepting this award on behalf of all nursery headteachers and children’s centre headteachers who work so hard in a sector of education that’s not always recognised.’
UK winner of the NCSL Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School, Laura Brodie from Allens Croft Childrens’ Centre, Birmingham
‘I am absolutely delighted to accept this award. It is for whole school community. We are privileged to work with Glasgow city council and international partners who have supported us.’
UK winner of the DCSF Award for Sustainable Schools, headteacher Ann Grant from Shawlands Academy, Glasgow
‘It has been very humbling listening to such wonderful testimonies about people doing wonderful work. There are a number of special people who have helped get the school in the position it’s in now, so I accept this award of their behalf as well.
‘This isn’t just for me, it’s for everybody so it will go in school, not at home with me.’
UK winner of the DCSF Award for Governor of the Year, Einir Roberts from Harrietsham CE Primary School, Maidstone, Kent.
‘Actors get more awards than they deserve. We are lucky enough to do a job we love in a public way so we get public acclaim. But the nature of our job is miniscule in importance next to yours. If there’s any hope for this country, it’s with you and how you educate the children. It is the most important job, bar none.’
Film, television and stage actor, Jeremy Irons
‘Thank you to everybody at the teaching awards, it is a huge honour. It’s quite incredible. There are hundreds of thousands of other teachers all over the country and I have just been doing my bit to try and give children the best chance in life.’
UK winner of The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by The Innovation Unit, Margaret Lund from Shakespeare Primary School, Fleetwood.
