Mr Terence Walsh
Teaching Awards 2007 Winner
The Ted Wragg Award for Lifetime Achievement, sponsored by the Innovation Unit in East Midlands
Hadfield St Charles RC Primary, GLOSSOP
Terence Walsh is described as the gold standard for his commitment and dedication to teaching.
From the moment he entered the classroom nearly 40 years ago with his folk singer’s beard and long locks, inspiring children with his teaching through Irish music, to the day he retires next year, his passion for his profession is undimmed.
Terry has always spent every spare minute of every day surrounded by groups of children and adults, through his daily instrumental coaching at lunch-time or his whole-school hymn practice, or his work conducting local church choirs. Renditions of “Wild Rover” to the accompaniment of communal desk lid banging have marked his teaching sessions down the years. He has accompanied the gifted to music competitions around the country and there are professional musicians today who attribute their success to this teacher.
But Terry sees musical performance as the key to developing self-confidence in children in all aspects of their lives and has sought above all to make music accessible and enjoyable to all. In that respect, the guitar and penny whistle have been the tools of his trade.
Terry began his teaching life as a secondary school teacher but did not want to be confined to one subject and moved into primary.
As deputy head of St Charles, Terry has sought to support and inspire colleagues and children in all aspects of their professional development and learning. He is held in great affection for his dry sense of humour and his firm but fair approach. But it is the joy of sharing music that has marked his career. Music he believes is a gift that will see children through their lives, whatever their ability. It is a sign of his standing as a sage, say Teaching Awards judges, that young and old, pupils, ex-pupils, teachers, support staff, members of the church community, all gathered to support this nomination.
