Mrs Margaret Lund
Teaching Awards 2008 Winner
The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by The Innovation Unit
Shakespeare Primary School, FLEETWOOD
Margaret Lund is an inspirational leader who’s worked tirelessly and enthusiastically at Shakespeare Primary School for 20 years, ensuring that every child, teacher and other staff achieves their full potential.
Margaret took the school from a one-form entry to an over-subscribed, two-form entry primary, through raising its profile, ‘re-modelling’ the workforce and extending the buildings.
She built confidence and self-esteem among pupils by encouraging participation in the arts, and through sporting achievement. Shakespeare has a school choir - including the Opera Babies group who can sing in perfect Italian – and every child is taught a musical instrument from the age of four.
Under Margaret’s leadership, the school became one of top ten per cent of schools in the country in Key Stage 2 SATS, and it has achieved many awards. Her leadership was proof that it is possible to deliver breadth, balance and quality across the curriculum without creating innovation overload, or sacrificing standards.
Margaret believes in nurturing talent and offered every member of staff personal progression opportunities. Many started out as teaching assistants, only to find themselves at university or college doing a teaching qualification. One teacher, who began as a lunchtime assistant and is presently completing the Registered Teacher Programme, said “It was Margaret who saw beyond my tabard and the potential that existed in me”.
Margaret worked for a number of community and educational organisations, including as an officer for the National Union of Teachers, improving working conditions for teachers and other staff. However, she never let her other activities get in the way of her role at Shakespeare Primary.
Margaret is a true humanitarian, helping many charities over the years. Following the Tsunami in 2005, she instigated a fund-raising drive which raised £20,000 and helped to buy seven fishing boats which were named after all of the local Fleetwood Primary Schools.
Despite often being in pain from arthritis, Margaret never allowed it to affect her work. She retired this summer and is succeeded by a former deputy who left Shakespeare seven years ago for her first headship. She will provide the continuity Margaret believes her school needs to continue thriving.
Judges said: “It was clear that the school does not compromise on striving for the best for all pupils and the outstanding results are evidence of the steady and purposeful way Margaret has led her staff”.
