EDUCATION professionals in North Wales have been announced as finalists for a national awards which returns with two new categories.
This year, 27 education professionals have made it to the finals of the sixth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru, which celebrates the inspiring education workforce across Wales.
Nominations were received from parents, carers, learners, and colleagues. There are seven individuals shortlisted from schools and settings across North Wales.
Alex Davies (Black Lane School, Wrexham).
These include: Dyfan Phillips (Ysgol y Llys, Prestatyn) for Headteacher/Principal of the Year, Dr Paul Humberstone (St Brigid's School, Denbigh) for the Learners' Award for Best Teacher/Lecturer, Dr Gareth Evans (Ysgol y Creuddyn, Llandudno) for Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, Jo Wyatt (Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Mold) for Learning Support Assistant, Alex Davies (Black Lane School, Wrexham) for Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language, and Amy Grimward (Ysgol Aberconwy, Conwy) for the Betty Campbell (MBE) award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
Read more:
- Thumbs up for "nurturing" Wrexham school's latest Estyn report
- Flintshire pupils offering a bit of 'hope' in their community
- Flintshire school to open its doors for farewell community event
For the first time ever, the awards were open to the college workforce as well as schools. Sadie Thackaberry who teaches at Coleg Cambria, Mold, is a finalist for the new Lecturer of the Year award.
The 10 award categories include Headteacher/Principal of the Year, Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language, Outstanding New Teacher, Teacher of the Year in a Primary School, Learners' Award for Best Teacher/Lecturer, Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School, Learning Support Assistant, and Betty Campbell (MBE) award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. Plus, new for this year, Lecturer of the Year and Learners' Engagement in School/College.
Jo Wyatt (Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Mold).
The new Learners' Engagement in School/College prize was created to award a school or college that has demonstrated an excellent approach to help improve learner engagement and attendance.
Engagement in school/college impacts attainment, wellbeing and citizenship, and the award celebrates where learners have been supported in this area.
Read more: Flintshire school's uniform and equipment shop a huge success
The Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle, said: "I'm delighted to reveal the finalists for this year's Professional Teaching Awards Cymru. We received the highest number of nominations to date and, as ever, there was an outstanding level of competition, highlighting the inspiring education professionals we have in Wales.
Dyfan Phillips (Ysgol y Llys, Prestatyn)
"This year we wanted to recognise the good work happening in Wales to improve learner engagement and attendance that ensures all our young people are healthy and confident individuals. The new award for 'Learners' Engagement in School/College' is a recognition of the amazing teams and of individuals that are working hard to put extra support in place.
"I look forward to celebrating these incredibly motivated individuals who go above and beyond for their profession and our learners."
• For more details visit: www.gov.wales/teachingawards
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here