Published on:
01
April 2011
Educational support worker, Jane Edwards and primary school teacher, Eleanor McGlashan have been selected as finalists at the Scottish Education Awards 2011.
The top Clackmannanshire educational support worker has beaten off stiff competition from across Scotland to secure a place as a finalist at the coveted Scottish Education Awards 2011, which recognise excellence in Scottish education.
Jane Edwards, who works with Strathdevon Primary School, has been selected by judges as a finalist for the Educational Supporter of the Year award in recognition of her dedication to providing local children with outdoor learning.
Jane, a farmer at Wester Dollarbeg Farm, gives pupils the opportunity to visit the farm where they can learn about farming and carry out a range of tasks, enabling the children to have hands-on experiences and by contributing to the maintenance of the land. Jane gives up her time to educating the children and works closely with the pupils to share her expertise and resources.
Last year, Jane gave Primary 3 pupils the opportunity to develop their understanding of the world of work and commerce. The children were given their own area of land within the farm. The children prepared the land and planted vegetables, wild flowers and fruit trees. The pupils then gave guided tours to members of the local community to display the work being done at the farm. Following the summer holiday, the children returned to harvest their crops and sold their potatoes at a local food festival. The money they earned was used to buy more compost and seeds to continue their work on the farm.
Jane's enthusiasm and generosity has allowed the pupils at Strathdevon Primary School to develop their planning, team-working and communication skills, whilst encouraging them to explore and consider the environment.
She will be joined by Eleanor McGlashan, a physical education teacher at Tillicoultry Primary School who has been shortlisted by the judges for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Eleanor started her work in Clackmannanshire Council in 1989 as the only peripatetic primary Physical Education teacher in the area. Travelling and working throughout 20 primary schools, Eleanor created a PE programme that she delivered with support from by primary teachers.
In 2000, Eleanor joined the sports development team one day a week and was instrumental in creating the vision and initiating an improvement in the educational opportunities for all pupils in Clackmannanshire. Eleanor worked alongside Active Schools co-ordinators to provide support, advice and an understanding on how schools work and strategy on how to develop the partnership.
Since August 2004 Eleanor has been based in Tillicoultry Primary School and her high level of energy and commitment is demonstrated everyday in her teaching and involvement in the ethos of the school. She had developed PE and sport within the school and runs numerous sports clubs and teams including gymnastics, cross country, basketball, badminton, athletics, cricket, and rugby.
She encourages pupils to excel and take part in competitions where appropriate. This has allowed pupils to develop their commitment, determination, perseverance, self-confidence, awareness and their ability to work in a team.
Eleanor is approaching retirement and her nomination for the Lifetime Achievement Award is a reflection of the amount of energy, time, knowledge, enthusiasm, skill, passion and compassion that she has continually shown over the years.
Chief Executive of Clackmannanshire Council Angela Leitch said: "I'm delighted that two Clackmannanshire nominees are finalists for these coveted awards. In Clackmannanshire, we work hard to make sure schools are part of the community, supporting happy, active and creative students. Jane Edwards and Eleanor McGlashan exemplify this, and my congratulations go to both ladies for going the extra mile."
The Scottish Education Awards are open to all publicly funded schools, including secondary, primary, nursery and special schools. There are also categories to recognise and reward the dedication of teachers, head-teachers and support staff across the country.
Local people are thanked for nominating their leading education stars in Clackmannanshire, who have shown great dedication and commitment to pupils and the community.
A specially selected panel of judges has selected the finalists and a winner from each category will be announced at an award ceremony on Tuesday 14th June 2011 at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow.
For further information visit www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk
Categories at the Scottish Education Awards 2011 include:
Active Nation Award
Learning Through Technology Award
Aiming High Award
Lifetime Achievement
Educational Supporter of the Year
Literacy Across Learning Award
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning Award (Primary and Early Years)
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning Award (Secondary)
Numeracy Across Learning Award
Partnership for Learning Award
Entrepreneurial Learning Award
Probationary Teacher of the Year
Sustainable Schools Award
Global Citizenship Award
Teacher of the Year
Headteacher of the Year
Health and Wellbeing Award
For further information please contact Ashleigh Colquhoun from Consolidated PR on 0131 240 6420 or ashleighc@consolidatedpr.com