• The Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School, (sponsored by Randstad)
  • Castercliff Primary Academy
  • Silver Winners
  • 2022
  • Nelson, Lancashire

Rebecca is Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Leader and Class Teacher for one of the two EYFS classes. She is widely viewed as an asset in an area of high deprivation, and to the wider Pendle Education Trust family. Rebecca excels in collaborating with other staff and the wider community, including with external agencies. She is a calm, approachable and popular teacher who gets on with ‘whatever is needed’ to drive progress in a climate of significant pressures.

The school’s outdoor learning area has benefited hugely from Rebecca’s input. Well used by EYFS children in all weathers, it links to all areas of the curriculum and includes slides, musical instruments, building areas, a sandpit, climbing wall, mud kitchen, gardening area and reading and writing facilities. She manages the SEN needs of EYFS children and leads on the KS1 phonics programme. Phonics results have been outstanding as a result.