The theme for this year’s World Teacher Day 2021 is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery” and here at Transform Trust we are celebrating all of our devoted and brilliant teachers that always go the extra mile to give our children the most incredible learning experiences.

We spoke to a few of schools today, Allenton, Parkdale, Ashbrook, William Booth and Brocklewood, to find out more about what this theme means to them and their teachers. All were united in their answers, that there are many individuals that have created whole-school improvements, but it’s the willingness and speed of the entire staff teams to commit to this continual push for excellence every day that is essential. We are so lucky to have so many great teachers in the Transform Trust family.

Jacqui Trowsdale, Deputy Head at Allenton Community Primary School nominated her colleague Lisa Thomas and said:

“Lisa always gives 110% in everything she does, but we are particularly proud of her at Allenton because of the passion, dedication and enthusiasm she has for everything digital. She moved the whole school forward and supported everyone through the initial limitations of home schooling. We are now up-to-date with a blended learning approach.  She encourages staff to try new things, but ensures they have the resources to do so, from explaining the physical resources to building up their understanding.  She is patient, and above all incredibly kind to the children, staff and wider community.  Our school is a better place because Lisa is part of it.”

Louisa Desborough, Early Years Lead at Parkdale Primary School said:

“Hayley Rippon is an Early Career Teacher in Reception at Parkdale and has been on quite a journey with us: parent, governor, volunteer, TA, Early Years Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and now fully qualified teacher. Over the last year in her role as Communication and Language Lead she worked on a progressive framework of support which ensures that the needs of our English as an Additional Language (EAL) children are fully met. Children returning from lockdown that needed further help with their spoken language were flagged up quickly and offered suitable support on their return. Hayley has also trialed the ‘Word Aware’ approach in Reception, which lead to a whole school approach addressing barriers to learning, word deprivation, EAL and misconceptions. Hayley has worked closely with our speech and language therapist to support staff in feeling confident with the approach and resources, and to demonstrate how it will impact children’s learning. Currently, she is working on embedding the use of signs and symbols to support dual coding our school and trust values. Hayley has the ultimate ‘can do attitude’ and nothing is too much trouble for her when it comes to colleagues, the children, and their families.

Also from Parkdale is April Troop, nominated by Deputy Head Teacher Julia Burge who said:

“April is a Year 3 teacher and the Design and Tech lead. Like all staff, April has worked incredibly hard over the last year. However, she has gone the extra mile recently as she has become the curriculum lead for Mindfulness and Wellbeing and has provided all teaching staff with a fun, varied program of work to follow for the wellbeing hour in school every day. She has taken it upon herself to not only raise the children’s wellbeing in school, but staff too. Recently she sent a kindness squad around school with notes for staff, thanking and recognizing how unique and wonderful we are. She has become a true advocate for positive wellbeing across the school and puts a smile on so many faces. We feel very lucky at Parkdale to have such a kind, caring lady in our team.”

Claire Paparozzi, Headteacher of William Booth Primary and Nursery school nominated her colleague Ciara Poyser and said:

“Our nomination is Ciara Poyzer. Always going above and beyond for her children, not only to support them academically, but to really get to know them. She develops brilliant, supportive relationships with all children and families and continues to support them throughout their school journey even after they leave her class. She works with and supports other staff members with genuine care and never complains about staying late, working hard, or helping others. She is a role model as a teacher and as a leader. William Booth are very lucky to have her.”

These are fantastic examples of how one brave teacher can create a positive ripple effect across the school to create lasting changes. Lisa, Hayley, Ciara and April are a clear example of how the heart of education recovery is kindness and understanding.

Mell Julian, Headteacher of Ashbrook junior school said:

“I would find it hard to name just one member of staff here at Ashbrook, we are all an excellent team who look out for and support each other”

Over at Brocklewood their Headteacher Heather Tarrant continued this team spirit and spoke to us in detail about the collective excellence of their staff teams.

Brocklewood’s Early Years and Foundation Stage (EYFS) team were described as experts in developing provision for their youngest children. They go above and beyond to support the children to feel safe and happy in school when many of them are leaving their families for the first time. By modelling and teaching positive learning behaviours, children make great progress. The EYFS team will do whatever it takes to welcome the children and their parents and carers so that they feel like they belong to the Brocklewood family.

Brocklewood’s Year 1 and 2 team were described as experts in Early Reading, they build on the excellent work of the EYFS team to continue to develop strong relationships with the parents and carers of the children in their care. The teachers provide engaging and purposeful learning environments alongside expert teaching, ensuring the children love school and therefore love learning.

Brocklewood’s Year 3 and 4 team were described as experts in meeting the varied needs of the children as they move through the school, working as a team to develop provision, scaffolding and challenge to ensure all pupils make great progress and have the opportunity to develop their individual talents and interests whether they be creative, sporting or academic.

Brocklewood’s Year 5 and 6 team were described as experts in promoting and developing independent learners who are ready for the next stage in their school journey. They carefully design provision so that the children can develop their leadership skills and understand how they learn so that they can take control of their own learning and study.

Through individual excellence and incredible teamwork, Allenton, Parkdale, Ashbrook, William Booth and Brocklewood, are proud to nominate their dedicated staff for every accolade possible. Across the Trust, by demonstrating kindness, creativity, respect and equality, teachers are at the heart of education recovery, and we look forward to hearing and sharing what all of our schools are doing for World Teacher Day 2021.