Teaching Awards patron Henry Winkler leads special education needs campaign
The First News My Way! campaign gives children a voice and reminds us that there are many different ways in which to look at the world and many different approaches to learning. The campaign also inspires young people with SEN, encouraging and allowing pupils to share their experiences of learning.
Actor and author Henry Winkler (aka ‘The Fonz’) is fronting the campaign. Henry is well known for his role as Arthur Fonzarelli in Happy Days and his dyslexia was not picked up until he was 30. This has motivated him to tell others his story and inspire young people.
The campaign is supported by the Teaching Awards which also has a new award for 2010; the Henry Winkler Award for Special Needs. Henry won substantial funding from Absolute radio and this is being made available to special needs teams in his name. Teams are being given the opportunity to bid for funding to support their crucial work. There are three awards, one of £15,000 and two of £10,000. Apply now or nominate at www.teachingawards.com.
Teaching Award winners who attended the launch included:
Clare Kelly, Dane Royd J & I School, Wakefield, 2005 winner of the BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School in the North of England
Chris Wheatley, Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, Cotgrave, Nottingham, 2008 winner of the NCSL Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School in the East Midlands
Despina Panayi, Winchmore School, Winchmore Hill, 2007 winner of the TDA Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year in London
Gundi Shaw, Woodford Valley CE (VA) Primary School, Middle Woodford, Salisbury, 2007 UK winner of the Award for Special Needs Teacher of the Year
David Torn, St Edwards CE Comprehensive, Romford, Essex, 2007 winner of the Guardian Award for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School in London
Peter Wright, UK winner of the DFES Innovation Unit Award for Lifetime Achievement
Peter who is now retired but was teaching at Hazel Oak School, Solihull, West Midlands when he won this award, is now Judging Panel Chair for the Henry Winkler Award for Special Needs.
Peter Wright said:
‘The Henry Winkler Award for Special Needs is an exciting new development for the Teaching Awards. This new award seeks to identify and support those schools and teachers who actively demonstrate the importance of recognising and celebrating the achievements of all pupils, however diverse they may be. The generous bursaries that will be awarded to the successful schools will hopefully enable them to both maintain and further develop projects in ways that would be impossible without this financial support.’
Caroline Evans, Chief Executive of the Teaching Awards, who also attended the launch said:
‘At the Teaching Awards we celebrate teachers’ commitment to helping children find their own ways of learning so we are thrilled to be a part of this wonderful campaign. The 2010 Henry Winkler Teaching Award for special Needs will reveal brilliant examples of good practice for schools and teachers to share.’
Henry Winkler said:
‘Every child has greatness inside them. We need to help them to dig it out and give it to the world. I cannot wait to see who they become.’
