Popular
teacher Barbara Saddington is waiting to hear whether she has
reached the regional final of the National Teaching Awards –
the industry’s Oscar ceremony.
She
is the first teacher to be nominated by Fullerton House School
for this prestigious award, which was set up by Lord Puttnam in
1998 and is managed by the Teaching Awards Trust.
Barbara
says: “I was totally amazed when I heard that my name had
been put forward. When I sat down to watch a Powerpoint presentation
in assembly a few weeks ago, little did I know that it was going
to be about me!”
Assistant
head David Whitehead says: “Barbara certainly deserves to
win a teaching award because not only does she work with some
of the most challenging students in the country, but her dedication
to their education and their development as a whole is an inspiration
to us all.
“It
is always a pleasure to spend time in Barbara’s class, not
only to see how the students are achieving under her direction
but also to see an excellent practitioner at work.”
Some
of the parents of students Barbara has taught were also asked
to put forward comments as part of the nomination. The parents
of Gemma Whittington say: “She has coped with our daughter
from the age of ten when others couldn’t cope at all. While
being taught by Barbara our daughter’s improvement has been
considerable … Barbara’s total commitment and perseverance
brings results a parent could only dream of.”
The
parents of Natasha Babb say: “Barbara is an excellent teacher,
gentle and caring, who show true dedication and absolute understanding
of our special children and their needs…”
After
11 years at Fullerton House School, where Barbara is a senior
teacher, she will soon be leaving the Group to become head at
Birtenshaw Hall in Bolton.
Barbara
says, “I’ve learned so much during my time here at
Fullerton House School as there are so many special people, both
staff and students.
“It
takes a special sort of person to work with students with special
needs, but if you are that sort of person you can’t imagine
yourself doing anything else.”
All
of the staff and students at Fullerton wish Barbara well in her
new post.
