Ten of the most inspiring, talented, and dedicated education professionals from across Wales have been revealed as winners of the fifth annual Professional Teaching Awards Cymru.
29 finalists from all four corners of Wales, were invited to celebrate excellence in education at the awards on Sunday 10 July. The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, revealed the winners of the ten categories at a special ceremony held at The Coal Exchange in Cardiff. After last year’s ceremony was postponed due to Covid-19, the awards provided some much-needed positivity for those involved.
The Professional Teaching Awards Cymru recognise the brilliant work that our education professionals do across Wales to go above and beyond for our young people. This year saw the introduction of the new Betty Campbell MBE Award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities.
This award, won for the first time by Llanwern High School, is given to an individual, team or school that has demonstrated an outstanding awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion in the classroom, Llanwern were nominated for this new award for working with great care to instil a culture that ensures all members of the school community feel a sense of belonging. The judges were particularly impressed with the school’s whole-school approach to the promotion of diversity.
Tracey Jarvis, Headteacher from Llanwern High School in Newport, part of the team who won this very special award for 2022, said :“We are incredibly proud to gain recognition for the work we are doing to make an inclusive school. It is thanks to our staff, governors, learners, parents and carers for their commitment to celebrate diversity that it is now intrinsically embedded in our day-to-day culture.”
Holly Gordon won the award for outstanding new teacher, in her role at Ysgol Bryn Derw, ASD Special School, Newport. Within two months of starting her role at the school Holly transformed her class of 13 students and provides outstanding support for parents and carers.
Holly said: “I’m honoured to win an award alongside such inspirational people. It is overwhelming to receive recognition for something I love so much. I’m just starting my career in education and I’m excited for the future.”
The Minister also presented the winner of the Welsh Government Special Recognition Award in memory of Mr Gareth Pierce, WJEC’s former Chief Executive, for his contribution to education in Wales, in particular, Welsh language education.
The Professional Teaching Awards Cymru 2022 winners:
Teacher of the Year in a Primary school
- Charmaine Riley, Radyr Primary School, Radyr
Outstanding New Teacher
- Holly Gordon, Ysgol Bryn Derw ASD Special School, Newport
Inspirational Use of the Welsh Language
- Iona Llŷr, Education and Childrens’ Services – Carmarthenshire County Council
Supporting Teachers and Learners
- Carolyn Platt, Ysgol Bryn Elian, Colwyn Bay
Youth Work in Schools and the Community
- Christian Williams, Heolddu Comprehensive School, Caerphilly
Teacher of the Year in a Secondary school
- Mark Morgan, Pen y Dre High School, Merthyr Tydfil
School Business Manager/Bursar
- Claire Coakley, St Martin’s School, Caerphilly
Headteacher of the Year
- Meurig Jones, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Llangynwyd, Maesteg
Pupil (or Pupils’) Award for Best Teacher
- Laura Buffee, Haverfordwest High VC School, Haverfordwest
The Betty Campbell MBE award for promoting the contributions and perspectives of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities’ – new for 2022
- Llanwern High School, Newport
The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said:
“The calibre of this year’s nominations has, as ever, been outstanding and demonstrates the abundance of teaching talent we have here in Wales. It’s been particularly pleasing to see the first Betty Campbell MBE Award being presented, ahead of the new Curriculum being taught from September.
“There have been so many excellent examples of ingenuity, leadership, kindness and passion for teaching – just some of the many qualities I see when I meet staff at schools across Wales.
“Congratulations to all of the finalists and especially to the winners on your achievements.”
All winners were presented with bespoke, handcrafted Griffith Jones trophies at the ceremony.
