Golden moment for teacher ambassador
A HUMANITIES teacher from the Together Trust’s Ashcroft School in Cheadle has become a UK parliament teacher ambassador.
Beverly Wheeler took part in a programme designed to help teachers engage their colleagues and students with democracy.
In January, Beverley spent three days in London, joining 50 teachers from across the sector.
After the initial training, the cohort were tasked with putting their learning into practice and, if successful, the teachers would be awarded bronze, silver or gold grade.
Beverley, who gained the highest accolade, is now the proud holder of the gold teacher ambassador status.
She achieved this through an integrated work programme that saw students and staff participate in learning activities based around parliament, diversity and British values.
Beverley worked with Together Trust’s communications team to invite Mary Robinson, the MP for Cheadle, to visit Ashcroft School on Schools Hill.
Beverley said: “For a lot of our young people, politics can seem like a world not for them.
“By questioning Mary Robinson on topics as far ranging as police budgets and her favourite food, students could see that their opinions do matter.”
Beverly also created an AQA unit award and resource which can be used by teachers anywhere in the UK. It was this contribution that helped ensure she received the highest award.
Beverley said: “Young people today are entering into a difficult world – university fees have sky-rocketed, jobs are harder to come by and house prices are astronomical.
“Because of this, a lot of young people feel disaffected by politics. I hope that through applying my training students from across the country can become more engaged with politics and understand that their voice does count.”