School at top of class in the UK
ASCHOOL in West Lancashire has been recognised as the best in Britain.
Delph Side School, in Skelmersdale, won the Best Primary School of the Year award at the prestigious Pearson National Teaching Awards, known as the Oscars of the teaching profession,
Run by the Teaching Awards Trust and supported by Pearson, the awards recognise and celebrate excellence in education and is the UK’s most distinguished celebration of transformational teaching.
The team from Eskdale travelled to London for a glittering awards ceremony aired on Saturday on BBC2’s Britain’s Classroom Heroes and beat thousands of nominations to win Best Primary School 2019.
Clutching the golden Thinking Man award on stage, head teacher Liz Ormerod said: “It’s not just these guys on the stage here, it’s all the team back at home in Skelmersdale watching tonight.
“It’s all our community partners. It’s our governors. It’s our families, but possibly more than anything it’s our little Delphsiders.”
The school has received the award for having challenges and tackling them creatively and constructively. Delph Side’s results have improved rapidly in the last three years, its improvement trajectory is strong and it’s seen as a model of good primary practice.
Delph Side urges pupils to be social activists and works to make its local community better and regularly holds socials and events to get involved in. The school’s therapy dog, Poppy, has become a well-loved member of the team and is there to help pupils who have faced trauma and challenges in their lives.
Parents with children at the school posted their praise at the announcement of the win on the school’s Facebook page.
Jacyln Turner posted: “Well done. Lovely school. Very personal and family feel to it. Staff lovely. most importantly, the kids love it.”
Fleetwood
Harrison commented: “What an amazing place.”
Danielle Nicole posted: “Amazing!!! So well deserved!”
The Primary School of the Year award is for schools seen as a huge asset to the local community and well respected by parents and key partners.
Local political party Our West Lancashire, said: “It’s fantastic to see Tanhouse and Skelmersdale recognised on the national level. Take a bow, Liz Ormerod, and all at Delphside.
“We’ve had dealings with Liz and the school and we are not surprised that they’ve triumphed on such a large stage.”
After the ceremony, the team took the award, nicknamed Goldie, on a trip around London to see sights such as Buckingham Palace, Downing St and the London Eye.