Mrs. Margaret Mann

Teaching Awards 2007 Winner

The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by the Innovation Unit in South of England

Hollywater School, BORDON

Ex-pupils of this special school always remember Margaret, and ask if she still works there, but one of them does not need to. Nineteen-year-old Gareth Saunders now works alongside her.

“I have known Mrs Mann since I was eleven,” he says, “and she has always understood me and made me work hard to change my life. I now work as an ICT technician, something I could not have achieved without Mrs Mann’s total support.”

Yet, by her own admission, Margaret did not work at all when she herself was at school and left at 16 without any qualifications. Later she trained as a mature student at the Open University, raising four children single-handed and working at nights so she could study in the daytime.

Now she is an outstanding teacher, praised by colleagues for the way she can see potential in all children. “She has such an ability to see a person’s qualities, build them gently and use them to the good,” says one. While a pupil says: “Mrs Mann, she helps you realise your dreams.”

She constantly updates her professional skills, and has been involved in national curriculum developments as well as introducing countless new initiatives to school – when phonics hit the headlines, Margaret introduced them to Hollywater to help pupils as they learned to read.

Margaret played a leading role in creating the school, which was formed from the amalgamation of two others and opened in 2006. Now, as she comes up to retirement, colleagues are wondering how they will manage without her unique blend of common sense and experience.

But one parent and colleague says she will always carry with Margaret’s wisdom with her. “She once told me that it is a privilege to view the world from the perspective of a child with special needs; that bringing these two worlds together is a shared learning experience for parent and child and that you should not only celebrate your child’s successes and progress, but recognise your own as you grow alongside your child.’”

Message Board

Please leave a messsage for Mrs. Margaret Mann

• CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!

  Hi Margaret, My warmest congratulations go to you on this fantastic award. No-one deserves it more.You are an inspiration to many as well as being such a warm,caring person ( albeit with scary eyes !!! )

  Posted: June 15, 2007 at 19:06 PM | Author: sarah watts

• My Mummy Has Always been A Legend !

  Mum, You deserve every bit of praise that anyone gives you. You are amazing !! I love you alot. Rachel

  Posted: June 17, 2007 at 09:06 AM | Author: Rachel Mann

• hola!!!

  im so glad you won,you deserve it,hurry back to majorca to see us. xxxxxxx

  Posted: June 17, 2007 at 16:06 PM | Author: REBECCA LLOYD

• well done mum

  well done mum lots of love bob, jo bobby& billy

  Posted: June 18, 2007 at 12:06 PM | Author: Robert mann

• You Are Our Champion

  One could spend several lifetimes in and around Hampshire schools and still never meet anyone quite as remarkable as you.

  Posted: June 19, 2007 at 19:06 PM | Author: Jim Hobbs

• Wow!!

  Margaret I'm so thrilled for you. A richly deserved award for all your hard work on behalf of special children. Very best wishes. Lynne

  Posted: June 19, 2007 at 21:06 PM | Author: Lynne Cannon

• So proud of you!!!

  I am so happy that you were nominated after all your hard work and so many years of dedication, and to get to the final is wonderful, no one deserves it as much as you do. To bring all four of us up on your own and managed to achieve so much and help so many children, is truely amazing.Well done Mum. love Es, Ben and the bump.

  Posted: June 20, 2007 at 22:06 PM | Author: Esther Simpson

• A special lady in a special school

  So delighted for you. Your hard work, empathy, sense of humour and down to earthness inspires everyone. You should be a national treasure.

  Posted: June 21, 2007 at 19:06 PM | Author: margaret pruen

• Andy

  Truly the Mann of the moment! Excellent achievement and thoroughly well deserved! :D

  Posted: June 22, 2007 at 13:06 PM | Author: Andy Page

• Yes, I am as stupid as I look!

  Sorry about last message, as you know I am a complete idiot!

  Posted: June 22, 2007 at 13:06 PM | Author: Andy Page

• Well Done

  Jolly well done! Never doubted you would win it! C.

  Posted: June 22, 2007 at 17:06 PM | Author: Charlie

• Thanks a million

  Margaret, no one deserves this more than you, your the angel that made my Oliver who he is today. Luv ya. Louise. XX

  Posted: June 23, 2007 at 00:06 AM | Author: Louise Wright

• Never doubted it...

  Dearest Margaret, You know exactly what I think! Never doubted your 'specialness' for a moment... A colleague and friend for life I hope. Love Barbara xx

  Posted: June 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM | Author: Barbara Livings

• thanks for all your support !!

  congratulations on your award and we hope you have a happy retirement. tegan says well done mrs mann !!

  Posted: June 23, 2007 at 10:06 AM | Author: natalie watts

• Hello Mrs Mann

  Congratulations from all of us across the lantern!! Well done - you deserve it. With all our love.

  Posted: June 23, 2007 at 16:06 PM | Author: 4M

• You've always been number one!

  Dear Margaret, It has been such a prvilige to work with you both as a member of staff and laterly as a governor. You have been an inspiration to us all. This award coouldn't be more deserved. Love Shirley.

  Posted: June 24, 2007 at 16:06 PM | Author: Shirley Lilley

• A Special Award for a Special Lady

  Well done, Margaret. I know how well you are respected by all who meet you. You have given a chance in life to many children who, I am sure, will remember you for all of their lives.

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 11:06 AM | Author: Frank Whymark

• Congrats!!!!

  Well done on your award but not even this will make me be GOOD!!!! You truly inspire everyone who knows you.

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 14:06 PM | Author: Lorraine Hopkins

• Fantastic news!

  So pleased for you and very much deserved. A very special teacher.

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 18:06 PM | Author: Avril Hurst

• So proud...

  ..that you are my Mum. Because you really are an inspiration every day. I am so pleased that your hard work and dedication has been recognised. Thank you for being you and making me and so many others believe in our ability. Lots of love Jude and Ben x

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 21:06 PM | Author: Judith Mann

• Thank you!!

  Thank you for your support, Thank you for your care, Thank you for your wisdom, Thank you for your wicked humour! Thank you for inspiring me to reach higher. Thank you for being you!!

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 22:06 PM | Author: Caroline Arnott

• Nice one Margie

  Go Maaaaaaaaaaarge!!! HB

  Posted: June 25, 2007 at 22:06 PM | Author: Chris Howse

• Go Mummy Mann

  Well done Mummy Mann! :o)

  Posted: June 26, 2007 at 17:06 PM | Author: Melissa Urry

• Warmest conratulations

  well done Margaret! you most certainly deserve this award for all your hard work dedication and commitment. I am so proud of what Ryan has achieved under your guidance, and i am sure many more parents feel excatly the same. May i also take this opportunity to wish you a "Long and Happy Retirement"

  Posted: June 27, 2007 at 08:06 AM | Author: Pat Lipton

• Absolutely fantastic !!

  Well done Margaret. You are an amazing person who truly deserves this award. You have been a real inspirtaion.

  Posted: June 27, 2007 at 20:06 PM | Author: Sarah Kitching

• Great news

  Well done Margaret.Although I have only known you for a short time I can fully understand why you are so highly regarded by all at the school.You will be much missed.Enjoy your retirement.

  Posted: June 28, 2007 at 11:06 AM | Author: david lush

• Happy Retirement

  I hope you enjoy your retirement.Thank you for all your support.Love,Joy.

  Posted: June 28, 2007 at 12:06 PM | Author: Joy Lush

• Well deserved.

  Great news Margaret... now you can put your feet up and rest! Some how, I'm not sure you will.

  Posted: June 28, 2007 at 16:06 PM | Author: Kareen O'Brien

• margaret mann

  dear mrs mann. your smiling face that we all see every day around the school will be truley missed.xx

  Posted: June 28, 2007 at 18:06 PM | Author: lorraine atkins

• WELL DONE

  Dear Mrs Mann, well done on your award, thanks for all your help and support over the past year, enjoy your retirement, love anita smith

  Posted: June 29, 2007 at 21:06 PM | Author: ANITA SMITH

• CONGRATULATIONS

  A well deserved award,am so pleased that you came into Richards life,it's thanks to you that he has made such progress and become a wonderful young man.Happy Retirement fromRichards Granny(Marion).

  Posted: July 1, 2007 at 15:07 PM | Author: Marion Harris

• Great News

  Congratulations Mrs Mann am so pleased you more than deserved it.You have made such a difference to so many children.we are very grateful for all you did for Richard we miss you terribly as am sure many others will.Enjoy your retirement love Elizabeth and familyxx

  Posted: July 1, 2007 at 15:07 PM | Author: Elizabeth Morris

• well done

  I miss U xxx love Richard

  Posted: July 1, 2007 at 15:07 PM | Author: Richard Morris

• Well done

  Congratulations Marge you are one in a million and deserve all the recognition you get. Lots of love always Kristy x

  Posted: July 2, 2007 at 09:07 AM | Author: Kristy Anderson

• Fat Cow from Fishface x

  Well, that got your attention !!! What can I say ? You truly deserve this award Margaret. We've shared smiles and shed a few tears along the way, but you've always believed in me , even when I felt I coudn't go on . When I first met you, I'd lost sight of Bry and could only see her special needs and all the negatives for the future. You gently helped me move from seeing what she couldn't do, to seeing and celebrating what she can do. A precious gift from you, that re-connected me with Bry and enriched my relationship with her for always. How do you ever thank someone who gives you such a special gift . I love you dearly Margaret. Helen N x x

  Posted: July 2, 2007 at 14:07 PM | Author: Helen Newman

• Mrs Mann

  Sorry for when I be naughty Mrs Mann. I make you laugh Mrs Mann. I like your smile Mrs Mann.I be good. (Bry's words for you Margaret ) X X

  Posted: July 2, 2007 at 14:07 PM | Author: Bryony Newman

• Congratulations!

  Well done you - what a way to go! Enjoy your 'moment' and everything ahead of you. Take care. Jackie x

  Posted: July 2, 2007 at 18:07 PM | Author: Jackie Sumner

• Well Done

  Congratulations for your award it is well deserved for all your dedication to all the children through out the years. Thank you for all your help and support over the past few years with Aaron . All the best for the future. Best wishes The Bicknell Family.

  Posted: July 3, 2007 at 19:07 PM | Author: The Bicknell Family

• congratulations

  You deserve it Margaret. I'm going to miss you.There's only one Mrs Mann.

  Posted: July 3, 2007 at 20:07 PM | Author: H. Manley

• Simply the Best

  What can I say ? You truly deserve this award Margaret. We've shared smiles and shed a few tears along the way, but you've always believed in me, even when I felt I couldn't go on. When I first met you, I'd lost sight of Bry and couldn't see past her special needs, seeing only the negatives for the future. You gently helped me move from seeing what she couldn't do, to seeing and celebrating everything that she can do. The path a parent travels with a special needs child seemed daunting and lonely at times. When ever I needed to reach out for a steadying and re-assuring hand, yours was always there. Never intrusive, but always there ready to catch me when I faultered, and show me the way. All this helped me to re-connect with Bry, see past all the negatives and enjoy my child for who she is. How do you ever thank someone for such a special gift. ? Thankyou isn't a big enough word. I love you dearly Margaret. Helen N x

  Posted: July 6, 2007 at 10:07 AM | Author: Helen Newman

• eyes!

  dear margaret, You have opened my eyes and broadened my mind. thank you with love xx

  Posted: July 8, 2007 at 19:07 PM | Author: liz shuff

• Well Done

  Well Done in you achievments in you career,you will be greatly missed,Thank you for all your help since i have been at Hollywater and good luck for the future LOL Anji

  Posted: August 14, 2007 at 13:08 PM | Author: Anji Hegdes