St Cecilia’s celebrate ‘Making a Difference’ Silver Award

nominations, the College is one of just 76 Silver Award winners across the UK.

St Cecilia’s College is a Catholic all-girl secondary school situated in an area falling within the top 10% of the most disadvantaged electoral wards in Northern Ireland. They aim to ensure that their students are provided with opportunities to achieve qualifications, employability skills, cross-community experiences that break a cycle of deprivation.

They do this through comprehensive pastoral care programmes, engagement of community groups, the setting of high aspirations through award-winning careers provision, and high quality learning and teaching.

St Cecilia’s College is now in the running for one of just 14 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with. This year marks its 22nd year of celebrating, award-winning teachers, teaching assistants, head teachers and lecturers across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “Over the past year, we have, all of us, come to appreciate and respect the value of teachers.

“They have so often been taken for granted. Not any more.

“Parents know now what it takes to teach, and teach well, and how much commitment, dedication and enthusiasm and knowledge and understanding, yes – and patience.

“Children know it too, if they didn’t before. So many missed their teachers as well as their friends. We all honour them today. Let’s now praise them, wish them well and above all, thank them.”

Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: “Congratulations to all of our Silver Award winners for their commitment, dedication and passion for heir work. Despite the incredible challenges they have faced over the past few months, school staff have risen to the occasion time and again.

“It is so important to recognise and celebrate teachers, teaching assistants and lecturers for the impact they have on our young people every year, and that is why Pearson is delighted to support these Awards.”

Lorraine Langham, Chief Executive of Future First, the education charity sponsoring this award, said: “Making a difference is what our work at Future First is all about. That’s why we sponsored the Making the Difference Award. St Cecilia’s College has shown just what can be done and our heartfelt congratulations go to all concerned.

“A young person’s start in life should not limit their future and through our alumni programmes with schools, students can be motivated and inspired to make the difference themselves and transform their own lives.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “My warmest congratulations go to all this year’s silver award winners.

“They should be proud to receive this recognition of their commitment to the profession, and the outstanding education and guidance they provide for their students.

“Teachers and school staff up and down the country consistently go above and beyond for their students, and this is especially true over the past few months.

“It is down to their hard work that schools have been able to open their gates to all pupils again for the start of the new term, and I cannot say thank you enough for everything they have done.”