Clackmannanshire Educational Support Worker is Top of the Class with National Award
Published on:
14
June 2011
Jane Edwards, an educational support worker at West Dollarbeg Farm, picked up a prestigious award today, Tuesday 14 June, at the Scottish Education Awards 2011.
She collected the coveted Educational Supporter of the Year Award at a glittering award ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, after judges selected her as a worthy winner for her work with Strathdevon Primary School in Dollar.
Jane, a farmer at Wester Dollarbeg Farm, gives local pupils the opportunity to visit the farm where they can learn about farming and carry out a range of tasks. From this the pupils gain hands-on experience and can contribute to the maintenance of the land. Jane gives up her time to educate the children and works closely with pupils to share her expertise and resources.
Last year, Jane gave P3 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 where they 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.
Michael Russell, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "With the rollout of Curriculum for Excellence in all schools, this has been a landmark year for Scottish education and the Scottish Government are committed to its ongoing success.
"But such success would not be possible without the work of the tens of thousands of excellent teachers and support staff, not forgetting the hardworking pupils in our schools.
"These awards have again given us the chance to highlight the work that takes place on ground that often goes unrecognised. I'd like to congratulate this year's winners. They are an example to the whole of Scottish education."
Clackmannanshire Councillor George Matchett, Inclusion Portfolio Holder, said: "I'm delighted that two Clackmannanshire nominees were finalists at these coveted awards and my congratulations go to Jane for winning the Educational Supporter of the Year Award.
"In Clackmannanshire, we work hard to make sure schools are part of the community, supporting happy, active and creative students. Both Jane and Eleanor exemplify this and it's important that we recognise their hard work and dedication."
The Scottish Education Awards, now in their tenth year, recognise and reward the achievements of dedicated individuals who have helped young people fulfil their learning potential in Scotland. The awards are open to all publicly funded schools and provide the opportunity to showcase the hard work and achievements of all education staff in Scotland.
For further information visit www.scottisheducationawards.org.uk
Note to Editors
The Scottish Education Awards 2011 are managed by the Daily Record and the Scottish Government.
The winners were selected by a special panel of judges and the full list of winners is outlined below:
Active Nation Award - Lanark Primary School & Nursery
Learning Through Technology Award - Hollybrook School
Aiming High Award - Alexandra Parade Primary School
Lifetime Achievement - Brigid Duthie, Perth Grammar School
Educational Supporter of the Year - Strathdevon Primary School
Literacy Across Learning Award - Bishopbriggs Academy
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning Award (Primary and Early Years) - Caskieberran Primary School
Enterprise and Employability Across Learning Award (Secondary) - Wallace Hall Academy
Numeracy Across Learning Award - Kellis Primary School
Partnership for Learning Award - Cathkin Community Nursery
Entrepreneurial Learning Award - Bushes Primary School
Probationary Teacher of the Year - Ritchie McColm, Perth Grammar School
Sustainable Schools Award - Garrowhill Primary School
Global Citizenship Award - Mearns Primary School
Teacher of the Year - Christine Emmett, St Elizabeth's Primary School
Headteacher of the Year - Miss Linsey Hay, Alexandra Parade Primary School
Health and Wellbeing Award - Alexandra Parade Primary School