Lisamaria is named best primary teacher in UK
A West Lothian teacher has been picked from thousands of her peers to be named Primary School Teacher of the Year in a competition that covered the whole of Britain.
Lisamaria Purdie has been named as one of the nation’s most inspirational teachers at the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
Lisamaria, headteacher of St Ninian’s Primary School in Dedridge, Livingston, was presented with a Gold Award in the Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School category at the prestigious awards ceremony.
Lisamaria Purdie has transformed St Ninian’s into an inspirational school during her time as headteacher.
The judges said she is loved by staff and pupils for creating a warm, nurturing environment that supports every child to be their best and learn to love their time at school.
And they noted her impact goes beyond her school, supporting other headteachers as they come to terms with the role but also challenging them to reach their full potential.
She also plays a huge role in the local community, including transporting shopping to stuck families during the winter snow storms and even organising a parent boot camp to get families in shape.
This is not the only accolade Lisamaria has received recently as she was also named Headteacher of the Year at the Scottish Education Awards 2019.
After accepting her award,
Lisamaria said: “It is amazing to have won this award.
“I am so privileged and feel humbled because this recognition is all for doing a job I love. I am really lucky that so many people have inspired me throughout my education.
“I believe parents are their child’s first teacher, and that philosophy has shaped my thinking and practice in terms of my relationships with the parents of our school children.
“The people who inspire me most are my parents. They supported and challenged me, their small acts of love and kindness always helped me and spurred me on.
“My nanna inspired me to always do my best and I use those words all the time with the children at St Ninian’s.”
Lisamaria was presented with her trophy at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden, London.
The ceremony will be shown on BBC2 this Saturday on‘Britain’s Classroom Heroes’, with hosts Sean Fletcher and Tina Daheley.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam, to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of pupils.
West Lothian Council’s executive councillor for education David Dodds congratulated Lisamaria on her award saying:“On behalf of everyone involved in education in West Lothian I have to express delight at Lisamaria picking up this award.
“She has always been a credit to her school and much admired by her colleagues for her work to help develop and shape both current and future school leaders.”
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister, Scottish Government, said:“Many congratulations to Lisamaria for her magnificent achievement. She is a role model within her community and consistently goes the extra mile in order to support her pupils, her parents and her staff.”