Ayrshire People Student Rachel makes ‘ A’ grade

Her dissertation is voted best in the country

An Ayrshire student has scooped up the best undergraduate dissertation in the country.

University of the West of Scotland ( UWS) graduate Rachel Frew received The George D Gray CBE MA award for 2016/ 17 for her Bachelor of Education ( B. Ed) dissertation.

Now in its 17th year, the George D Gray CBE MA Award seeks to find the best academic B. Ed assignments in Scotland.

And judged by an experienced panel of educationalists, the 24- year- old’s work was voted the country’s best.

The Braehead Primary School teacher was presented her award at the annual General Teaching Council for Scotland ( GTCS) event on December 13.

She was congratulated for her outstanding work by UWS Dean, Professor Donald Gilles, the dissertation module co- ordinator, Dr Paula Cowan and Laura Wilson, dissertation supervisor.

The student is a former pupil of Annbank Primary and Ayr Academy and graduated top of her year from UWS in July 2017.

And it seems Rachel isn’t the only teacher in the family as 75- year- old grandmother Janet Frew still teaches on supply, having formerly taught at Main Home and Queen Margaret Academy.

Upon picking up her prize, Rachel, of Annbank, said: “Winning the George D Gray Award has come as a wonderful yet unexpected surprise.

“I feel privileged and delighted to be the recipient.”

Her research project entitled ‘ Primary School Language Education in Multilingual Scotland: Opportunities and Challenges for Community Languages’, discussed the need for equality in terms of race, culture and ethnicity across schools in the country.

She added: “I am hopeful that the exposure winning the award brings will raise awareness of possible opportunities to better support all of our learners in their additional language acquisition.

“Thus helping challenge some of the negative and stereotypical views surrounding migration to Scotland.

“If Scottish schools are truly to become welcoming places for all, more must be done to incorporate the community languages of pupils in schools into the curriculum, as a tool for teaching and learning.

“This would demonstrate to pupils and their communities that all languages are valued and all have an equal place.”

Happy mum Meghan Hamill, of Ayr, with son Tyler Watson who was born at the maternity unit on December 15, weighing 6lbs 13 oz

All smiles Ayr couple Allan Aitken and Cheryl Simpson with son Matthew James who was born at the maternity unit on December 14, weighing 8lbs

Happy family Ayr couple Rebecca and Barry Broughton with son Joseph William who was born at the maternity unit on December 13, weighing 7 lbs 11 oz

Scotland’s best Rachel pictured with UWS Dean, dissertation module co- ordinator and supervisor