Sheer class! Scientist Sam is Teacher of the Year nominee
CHILD-FRIENDLY APPROACH AND WORK TO RESHAPE THE CURRICULUM EARN ACCOLADE
SAM Bagley’s child-friendly approach to the appliance of science has earned her a national Teacher of the Year nomination.
Sam, deputy head of the science faculty at New College, Leicester, has been nominated by colleagues for the Pearson National Teaching Awards accolade, in recognition of her outstanding relationships with students, her childinclusive philosophy and her work to revamp the school’s science curriculum.
Sam said she was delighted to be put forward by her peers, adding: “It’s a real honour. I’m proud of what we have achieved together.”
Sam joined the school in 2015 as a newly-qualified teacher and her potential was immediately recognised by the New College leadership team.
She worked as a mentor to new staff before moving up to be key stage four coordinator and then deputy head of faculty. She also became acting head while covering a colleague’s maternity leave and oversaw a curriculum rebuild.
Sam said: “It is a team effort to achieve what we have done in the redevelopment of our science curriculum. I’m proud of what we have achieved together.
“On a student level, the biggest achievement for me is that we can say that our curriculum is truly inclusive, whether that’s a student working at a grade one pushing for a grade two, or a grade eight to grade nine.
“We are confident that our curriculum will have a positive impact on every student we see and provide real contextualised learning. It doesn’t limit people and enables students to feel successful at all levels.”
Chris Conlon, director of learning for maths and science said: “Under Sam’s leadership the staff have built a curriculum that all students can access and that demonstrates the faculty’s philosophy and knowledge about how students learn best and how the curriculum can play a significant role in delivering a rounded education.
“The new curriculum has transformed teaching and learning in science. Outcomes have improved in terms of students’ attitudes, their depth of learning and capacity to learn, remember and engage with their studies.
“We’re seeing a greater enthusiasm for science with more students taking the subject at A level, plus GCSE grades in science have already improved.”
Jane Brown, college principal, said: “Sam’s management of the curriculum redesign was a masterclass in valuing people and raising their self-esteem. Her style ensured everyone was involved in the process, particularly in the rigorous scrutiny of the sequencing of the curriculum.
“The team is empowered and feels a genuine ownership of it and its underlying rationale. All staff can talk with confidence about the curriculum because they took part in the building of it and are rightly proud of the outcome.”
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in November.