A TEESDALE primary has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s most prestigious school awards.
Staindrop Church of England Primary School is in the running for the Creative School of the Year accolade for the second year on the trot.
The 2018 TES Schools Awards are open to all state and independent primary and secondary schools in the UK. Headteacher Steve Whelerton said he was delighted at the news:
He added: “We are absolutely thrilled that the work we do every day in school is receiving such fantastic national recognition and we are particularly proud to be the only school from the North East to be nominated in this category.
“For it to happen once is exciting but for a second year running is humbling. It is testament to the fact that we haven’t just sat back on our laurels but have continued to find ways of bringing learning to life for our pupils.
“Creativity isn’t an add-on or something that we occasionally do. It’s something that happens every day in lessons throughout the school.
“Our teachers constantly make lessons exiting and fun, taking time get to know the children and crafting learning around their interests.
“We believe it is important to concentrate on the children being happy and to create an environment where the
children want to come to school. The academic results will then take care of thems-elves.”
It is a philosophy that is paying dividends as the school’s results rank in the top two per cent nationally for progress and in the top 100 schools in the country. It was also ranked first in County Durham and in the top one per cent of North East Schools in a recent national education survey.
The criteria for TES Creative School of the Year includes a proven track record of putting creativity at the heart of their work and achieving outstanding results in encouraging children to think beyond the conventional curriculum.
Winners will be announced at an awards dinner and ceremony on Friday, June 22, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.
Mr Whelerton has also been invited to attend a special reception for the finalists at the Terrace Pavilion at the House of Commons along with ministers and MP’s on Tuesday, June 5, in a celebration of the teaching profession.
