Allerton CE Primary School Headteacher named Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School at Glamorous Awards Ceremony.
A Leeds headteacher has been named as one of the nation’s most inspirational educators at a prestigious awards ceremony. Selected from thousands of nominations, Helen Stott has won a Gold Award in the Pearson National Teaching Awards for Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School. The ceremony followed a week-long celebration of these education award winners on the BBC every night on The One Show. The week ended with all the award-winning teachers, teaching assistants, lecturers and school staff being presented with their coveted trophies at a glamorous ceremony at The Brewery in the City of London.
Helen has shown throughout her 30-year career a burning passion that the Arts are not the advantage of the privileged but a right for every young citizen. She is a strong, inspirational, and open leader with the courage to take risks. Helen is determined to make the school a home from home. Amongst many other things, she led the way on the school being accredited as a forest school, she established a sensory cabin for children with additional needs, and launched a ‘Caring Dads’ programme to encourage male role models into school, as well as the Communities Shop, providing essentials to the school community.
Justice and opportunity for every child is at the heart of all Helen does. She is their voice when their voice is not heard. Helen has thoughtfully and creatively transformed her school from 200 children to just over 700, a place where 50 different languages are spoken. Every day the children leave school with a smile thanks to her, while they lovingly refer to the school using its acronym ‘ACE’.
These Pearson National Teaching Award winners are shining examples of the people who make our schools and colleges so special. Our schools are the beating heart of our communities, and these awards are a wonderful opportunity to recognise the unseen work that schools and colleges do on a daily basis, from going the extra mile to provide reassurance during uncertain times through to offering wider support to families who need it most.
The Gold Award winners have been honoured for their incredible work supporting learners across the country. Each award winner has repeatedly gone above and beyond their role to change the lives of their students, supporting them and their families, and helping them move towards a brighter future. The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, 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 work with. This year marks its 24th year of celebrating our school teaching staff across the UK.
Helen Stott, Headteacher at Allerton CE Primary School said:
“I am totally overwhelmed and delighted to win this special award, for both myself and my community, who are ACE. I’ve been headteacher at Allerton CE Primary School for 17 years. The last few years have been difficult for our community, in terms of Covid and the very sad losses in our community. So this recognition really gives us all a boost, and shows us that all our hard work is worth it.”
Sir Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust said:
“People of all ages will always remember that amazing teacher who made such a difference in their lives, whether that’s igniting a fire for their favourite subject or the support they’re received outside the classroom. Teachers and school staff will never know how many lives they have changed, or the impact they have made on so many children and their families, but our hope is that these awards help show them our gratitude, how much we owe them, how much we value their dedication.”
Sharon Hague, Managing Director, Pearson School Qualifications said:
“More than ever we are seeing the tireless work that our teachers, lecturers, and school staff do day in, day out, to support not only our children but their families too. Congratulations to all our Gold Award winners, who are shining examples of the incredible work going on in our nurseries, schools and colleges every day. This week we have heard so many inspirational stories about our school staff that highlight the exceptional dedication they have to their students, their colleagues, and their communities.”
Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education said:
“Many congratulations to Helen Stott. Their fantastic work and dedication to their students is truly an inspiration, and these awards provide well earnt recognition of the work of incredible teachers and school staff up and down the country. We have some of the best teachers in the world and I want to thank every single person working so hard to support children and young people for their expertise and commitment.”
Paul Matthias, National Director of education at Hays, sponsor of Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School said:
“Working in placing thousands of education professionals across the country – we know that inspirational leaders are essential to the success of a school, the wellbeing of their students and the support their community receives. Helen Stott is clearly that, and her story shows us how respected she is by everyone who meets and works with her. This is one of the highest accolades a head can receive, and she is a thoroughly deserving winner. We wish her all the best for their future career.”
The 2022 Pearson National Teaching Awards are open to every school across the UK. The awards were established by Lord Puttnam CBE in 1998 and are managed by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity. The charity’s mission is to raise the profile of the teaching profession, highlight the positive impact teachers and school leaders have in our society, and show teachers how much they are valued. It does this through its public-facing ‘Thank A Teacher’ campaign www.thankateacher.co.uk and through the Pearson National Teaching Awards www.teachingawards.com
