Delph Side was presented with a Gold Award at Sunday’s prestigious awards ceremony, which marks its 21st year of celebrating excellence in education.
The event organisers said Delph Side is a, “truly inspirational primary located in Skelmersdale, one of the most deprived areas in the country. The school faces a number of challenges associated with social and economic deprivation, with high crime rates and low aspirations a constant struggle for the school. Many pupils have faced trauma and challenge, and they are helped to overcome these by Poppy, the school’s therapy dog.
“The school’s results have improved rapidly over the past three years, and the high ambitions of the teaching staff have led to amazing results this year. But Delph Side offers so much more than just academic success, encouraging children to be social activists and work to make their local community better.”
Liz Ormerod, headteacher of Delph Side Community Primary School, said: “I am elated that our school has won ‘Primary School of the Year’ and I am so proud.
“I’ve been inspired by so many wonderful teachers, but one in particular, Mr Goodwin in Year 6. He always went the extra mile, he helped to challenge our thinking and treated us like grown ups. Every lesson was amazing and he made me choose this career path that early on.”
Delph Side Community Primary School were presented with their trophy at the ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden to celebrate their outstanding achievement.
The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC2 this Saturday (October 26) as Britain’s Classroom Heroes, starring hosts Sean Fletcher, a regular sports presenter on Good Morning Britain and Countryfile presenter, and Tina Daheley, well known as a newsreader on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and a regular presenter on Newsbeat.
Trevor Nelson and Cressida Cowell also presented awards, as well as Max Whitlock, Charlotte Ritchie and Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they teach – many of whom, as we now know, go on to train as teachers themselves thanks to the significant impact their teachers have had on them.
Lancashire County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “I’m thrilled that one of our primary schools has been recognised nationally. This is tremendous news, and I’d like to pass on my personal congratulations to all the staff, children, parents and governors at the school for their individual contribution to this award.
“This is one example of the excellent work in our schools across the county.”
Political group Our West Lancashire commented: “Tremendous news for a Monday morning. It’s fantastic to see Tanhouse and Skelmersdale recognised on the national level. Take a bow, Liz Ormerod and all at Delphside – Primary School of the Year in the national Pearson Awards.
“We’ve had dealings with Liz and the school and we are not surprised that they’ve triumphed on such a large stage.”
