Mrs Natalie Richards
Teaching Awards 2008 Winner
The SSAT Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year
Bishop Gore Comprehensive School, SWANSEA
Not so long ago, Natalie was a roadie following the Welsh pop group Catatonia around the country. But after a change of career, she is now making a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of pupils.
Her extraordinary commitment and vision are having an impact right across her school. This extends from the caring way she supports individual students to the full-on passion with which she throws herself into drama productions. When her car broke down she cycled seven miles to get to a Sunday rehearsal.
In her drama classes she uses music, lighting, images and symbolism to create exciting and creative learning experiences, and she is always careful to make sure her pupils learn skills which they can use elsewhere. A history teacher colleague says her work has definitely helped his students acquire more understanding, after they were struggling to grasp the subject.
Natalie takes pupils on trips to extend their learning, and always encourages them to think creatively and independently. “We needed a ship for our production and didn’t have enough money, so she said we would make it with our bodies,” says one. “We didn’t think it was possible but it was really effective.”
Natalie believes that everyone has talents and can grow and develop, and has won enormous trust and respect from her students. They say she has given them confidence and self-esteem, and that she makes learning enjoyable. One student who was on the brink of expulsion is now predicted to get five GCSEs.
“Our group didn’t get on before she came,” says one, “ but now we are like a family and respect each other for who we are. She has allowed us to do this.” Another, who admitted he was a “bad boy”, said he turned things around with help from Natalie, who never gave up on him and created resources he could use. “She’s an awesome person,” he said.
Judged by the Teaching Awards when in her third year of teaching, Natalie has already run school productions of Arabian Nights and The Crucible, started a lunchtime talent club, raised money for a South African charity and taken on responsibility for in-service training in school. Colleagues all pay tribute to her extraordinary skills and resources. “She’s exceptional,” they say.
One judge said: “Not only is she cool, but she is massively talented. Her lesson on ‘Blood Brothers’ gave me goosebumps.”
