Community Awards 2006 Nominees

Smiths of Bloxham

Teacher of the Year
(Sponsored by Smiths of Bloxham)

David Dawson
AN INSPIRATIONAL and much-loved headteacher is entering his final mile in the profession.

David Dawson has been nominated in recognition of his steadfast commitment and dedication to the task.

He said: It's a total surprise and very nice that someone appreciates what we are doing.”

Mr Dawson has been headteacher of Blessed George Napier School in Banbury since 1995, and is due to take a well-earned retirement in December after a long and distinguished educational career. But it could all have turned out very differently.

“I've always had a love of sport, and at school I wanted to be a professional footballer,” he said.

Having enjoyed school as a pupil and after giving up his dream of active competition in sport, Mr Dawson decided that “those who can, do, and those who can't, teach it”.

After teaching sport in various schools in and around Merseyside from 1972, he moved to Swindon in 1986 and arrived in Banbury nine years later, where he has remained ever since.

He said: “I've never regretted it. It's such a buzz to see young people coming into school when they are little and leaving at 18 as competent and confident adults.

“To know you have been a part of that formation really fills you with pride.”

On his time at BGN, Mr Dawson said one of the major developments since he took over at the helm 11 years ago was the school's increased interaction with the community.

He explained: “BGN has become a specialist sports college, and we now have a state-of-the-art sports hall and all-weather pitches. The hall is let out to the community in the evenings and at weekends, and it's great to get them involved.”

During his time there, the GCSE pass rate (five or more grades A*-C) has risen from 45 per cent to 69 per cent, and the school has expanded to such an extent it has now become greatly oversubscribed.

John Hirons
See Rural Project of the Year category entry

Claire Dyer
“I CAN say with all honesty that I have never met a more talented and dedicated teacher, and feel very fortunate she has taught my daughter.”

That is the view that one parent takes on a teacher she has nominated.

Claire Dyer, 25, is only in her second year of teaching at St Mary's School in Banbury, but parent Emma Lewis says she is an inspiration.

Mrs Lewis said: “She has built much needed confidence not only in my daughter, but each and every pupil in her class.

“I often wonder how she has the power to keep the children behaving so well while keeping a very quiet, calm demeanour.”

She said Miss Dyer had brought on her daughter Sian, ten, in “leaps and bounds” both academically and socially.

And as a nursery nurse and mother of two she knows how much work is involved in caring for children. “I dread to think how many hours she puts into her work; I'm sure it is far more than she should.

“But she really takes pride in her pupils,” Mrs Lewis said.

“She makes learning fun and exciting for them, and if a child misbehaves they are disciplined in such a way that they still respect her and learn from the situation.”

Miss Dyer teaches a mixed class of Year Five and Six pupils and has already been made literacy co-ordinator at the school.

She said she was completely surprised to be nominated:

“I absolutely love this job; teaching is a passion for me and the school has given me lots of opportunities to do what I want,” she said.

“When you are working with a child and they have a break-through with something they have been struggling with it's a really good feeling.”

Wendy Clifford
AN “INSPIRING” and “approachable” headteacher has been recognised for her teaching standards and relationships with those who surround her.

Wendy Clifford, 59, who has been head at Hornton Primary School for 13 years, said: “I'm very surprised to be nominated; it's incredibly kind.”

Mrs Clifford has been teaching for 30 years and still takes an active role in teaching art, gardening projects and design and technology .

She said: “I think we have got to present children with interesting and stimulating ideas through a practical based curriculum.”

Mrs Clifford was nominated for Teacher of the Year by school governor Liz Gatliff, 79, who not only monitors the performance of the school, but takes an active role in helping the younger class with reading on Mondays.

Miss Gatliff said: “I have been so impressed with the feeling between the parents, headteacher, governors and children that I cannot help commenting on how good it is; I am really aware of it.”

She has been particularly impressed with Mrs Clifford's teaching methods during the optional ‘parent' classes. These advise parents how to best encourage their children's learning by enhancing the methods used at school rather than introducing new techniques that can cause confusion and contradiction.

“Wendy teaches the children to be respectful but not to be terrified. She has found the right balance,” Miss Gatliff said.