Carmarthen

SELECTED from thousands of nominations, Canolfan Elfed Inclusion Centre at QE High School in Carmarthen has been honoured as one of more than 100 Pearson National Teaching Silver Award winners across the country.

Canolfan Elfed based at the school campus in Johnstown, helps children with specific needs.

It was awarded the Silver Award in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support for its outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day. Pupils have an individual programme of study that provides specialist teaching and access to mainstream teaching where appropriate. It has now been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.

QE High said this is a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.

The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, a national campaign to honour and recognise school staff for their incredible work.

The celebrations follow new data which shows how the previous year’s lockdowns have significantly changed how families across the country view the role of teachers.

The past year has seen a wealth of stories of teachers making care visits to vulnerable families, coming up with innovative ways of remote teaching, keeping their pupils settled by regularly checking in and even using their school sites for Covid-19 testing when classes did return to school.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people.

Helen Starkey, chair of governors at QE High School, said: “I am fortunate to have regular opportunity to witness first hand the excellent practice within Canolfan Elfed so I am not surprised by this prestigious acknowledgement of good work.

“I am delighted for our learners, their families, the centre staff, QE High School and the community we serve.

“As a governing body we are proud of the inclusion centre and its contribution to establishment of the inclusive ethos and community spirit of our school. “Many congratulations to our dedicated team.”