Teaching is the best thing I’ ve ever done
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
THE Lifetime Achievement Award recognises those who are nearing the end of their careers in education. Nancy Clunie won this year’s award for her years of dedication as head teacher at Dalmarnock Primary in Glasgow. The school, which is in a highly diverse and deprived community in the east end of Glasgow, has been hugely successful in breaking down barriers under Nancy’s leadership. Michaela Collins, CEO of children’s charity PEEK (Possibilities for Each and Every Kid) said: “Nancy is one of a kind. She has worked at the school for 15 years, helping to make the school a valued local resource, not only in terms of the quality of its education provision but also by raising the aspirations and achievements of its pupils. “Through its work with local community organisations the school has focused on building the confidence, resilience, health and wellbeing of its pupils. “Nancy is known for her ‘gallus’ approach to getting things done. She always wants the best for her school community and will go to any lengths to make things better, often working evenings, weekends and school holidays.” Nancy, in partnership with Children in Scotland and PEEK, piloted a summer holiday programme in 2015, which has become a popular club where children can continue to thrive during the long break. It is also a way to tackle food poverty and loneliness for parents and carers.
The pilot for the summer holiday food programme led to Glasgow City Council investing more than £4million in the expansion of school holiday programmes – a remarkable achievement that has made a huge difference to many people’s lives.
Nancy also set up The Blether, which provides support and counselling for vulnerable parents and carers with mental health problems, and created the Family Meal and Homework club, and training for parents.
She went to Finland to study the impact of school and community-based partnership projects, health and wellbeing, and learning through play.
Nancy is also a trustee of PEEK, which during lockdown delivered more than 500,000 healthy hot meals, wellbeing packs, fuel and food vouchers, and activity packs to vulnerable children and families all over Glasgow.
She said: “I started as a teacher 44 years ago and it has just flown by. Every day someone makes me laugh and no two days are alike. Becoming a teacher is the best thing I’ve ever done.”