Mrs Angela Ellison
Teaching Awards 2002 Winner
The Award for School and Community Involvement in East
Highbury Infant School, HITCHIN
The judges said of Angela: "We have no doubt that this teacher is outstanding both in her school and community involvement. She applies commitment over and above her role as the teacher-in-charge of her Nursery school. Her understanding of both school and community involvement reveals that she sees both as at the core of learning for her pupils and is proactive in seeking opportunities which will enhance their development in both educational and personal ways."
When they say ‘involvement’ they really mean involving everyone. She persuades the local community services providers and professionals, from dentists to keep-fit instructors, to come to speak to the children. She arranges walkabouts for her class, such as one recent behind the scenes visit to a local supermarket to see how cakes and bread are made.
Upon appointment to the school the caretaker casually revealed to Angela that he had an interest in music. The next thing he knew Angela was involving him in school performances and concerts. She felt it was important that the children saw him as a member of the school community and not in isolation as the school caretaker, regularly involving him in class activities. Now the caretaker leads a regular music lesson with the children at school and writes children’s songs, some of which have been published. He admits he would not have the courage to do this if she had not been there to encourage him.
This is just one example of the vision Angela has in uniting the interests of the wider community with this small nursery school of 52 pupils. It’s no wonder that she is highly respected by both colleagues and by the parents. Indeed, it is a general feeling locally that the Nursery is constantly full to capacity and sought after by parents for their children because of her commitment.
