Nominate a teaching assistant now!
National winner Anne Hegarty, receiving her award from TV Presenter Angelica Bell
Teaching assistants are the unsung heroes of the nation’s schools and their number has doubled since the millennium. Why not give them the public recognition they deserve and nominate them for a Teaching Award?
All those who make a nomination online will enter a free prize draw with the chance to win one of five prizes worth £1,000 each to spend on books for their nominated school, courtesy of Oxford University Press (OUP).
Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, says a nomination for the TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year can give a huge boost to school support staff, including learning mentors and all levels of teaching assistants.
‘Their roles have changed radically in recent years and they play such a big part in the life of every school. Time and again we have seen the benefit that a nomination can bring – it’s a reward that makes people feel special and the feel-good effect rubs off on everyone around them.’
According to figures from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, the number of teaching assistants (full time equivalent) has risen from 79,020 in 2000 to 162,990 in 2007.
Anne Hegarty from St Brigid’s Primary School in Mayogall, Northern Ireland and national winner of the 2007 TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year said: ‘To do what I do every day and then receive an award for it at the London Palladium is fantastic – overwhelming, actually. My award is for teaching assistants everywhere.’
A colleague from St Brigids who nominated Anne said: ‘She never counts the hours and days that she gives to St Brigid's school. She is always funny and makes work a happy place to be. Anne Hegarty is the heart and soul of this school.’
The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year in 2008 is being sponsored for the first time by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). Graham Holley, TDA chief executive, is delighted to give his organisation’s name to this major category.
He said: ‘We are delighted to sponsor the TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year in recognition of the vital contribution they make to pupils’ teaching and learning, and the growing number of dedicated teaching assistants, HLTAs, learning mentors and other support staff who help our excellent teachers.’
