Sussex's first class education

10:18am Tuesday 10th June 2008

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The unsung heroes of education will be in the spotlight this week for the South East final of the National Teaching Awards 2008.

Among them will be 15 schools, headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and governors from Sussex. Andy Chiles reports on the outstanding individuals in the county's schools.

The future of Sussex education appears to be in good hands.

The shortlist of finalists for the South East region of the National Teaching Awards 2008, being presented at Canterbury Cathedral today, are dominated by staff from across the county.

Fifteen have been chosen, having been nominated by parents, pupils or colleagues and assessed by a panel of independent judges.

Winners will go on to the televised national final in London on October 19.

Among the Sussex representatives hoping to make it through will be three headteachers, two schools, six teachers, three teaching assistants and one governor.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said: "The influence of these outstanding individuals on the lives of children and their families cannot be underestimated."

Charles Davies will not be at the ceremony. Instead, showing the dedication which has typified his work at Moulsecoomb Primary School, he will be leading a group of pupils on a trip in Wales.

Since he arrived at the school in 2002 he has overseen its merger from infant and junior schools and helped shape a key role as a community hub in one of the most deprived parts of the county.

He has also helped the school improve its results and pull away from a position in the bottom 200 nationally.

He was nominated by a school governor, who said: "The school has become a vibrant hub of the community, not just for children but there are classes for adults throughout the day.

"He is always open to new ideas and willing to let people put them into practice.

"There is a friendly buzz around the school and pupils feel proud to go to Moulsecoomb Primary."

Mr Davies said: "It's a great honour to be nominated but I feel very embarrassed by it all.

"I see it as recognition not just for me but for everything everyone involved with the school has achieved.

"This area has not always had the best reputation and neither has the school but I think we are helping to change that.

"The school has become somewhere children are happy and proud to be involved with."

Among the teachers invited to the awards is Clare Stenning, head of languages at Hove Park School in Hove, who has also been named one of the best German teachers in Britain.

Two pairs of primary school teachers and their teaching assistants have made the list together.

Jill Hassan and Carol Wilson, from Balfour Infant School, in Balfour Road, Brighton, were named as finalists, as were Shirley Barrell and Eileen Foster, who work at Pashley Down Infant School in Beechy Avenue, Eastbourne.

Last year former stockbroker Nick Wergan was named as the national winner of the new teacher of the year award for his work at Sackville School in East Grinstead.

Tim Costello, from Ringmer Community College, John Galvin, from East Preston Juniors in Littlehampton, Alison Turk, from Ticehurst and Flimwell Primary near Robertsbridge, and Ann Bolt, from Imberhorne School in East Grinstead, all won at the regional ceremony.

Is there a teacher or teaching assistant you think is worthy of recognition? Tell us below.