A secondary school teacher’s work with primary schools has earned him a top accolade. Yolanda Brooks reports on this year’s DATAAward Scheme
Allan, who started out at the school as a woodwork and metalwork teacher 28 years ago, says the support of a strong department is the reason for his success. “We are a a team and that has been one of the main reasons for this success, and that has allowed me to win this award which I have to admit has been a bolt out of the blue.”
He was nominated by Graham Edwards, adviser for Design, Technology and Arts in Carmathenshire for his work with Lampeter’s feeder schools. Fifteen local junior schools benefit from the scheme in which Lampeter’s Damp;T staff provide hands-on training and teaching for pupils and teachers. “We thought we would share our resources with them and it has been of benefit to everyone. They get to use equipment they don’t have and the students that come to us in the future will know what to expect.”
The success of Lampeter’s students has also reflected well on Allan.
Students from the school have won Audi Design awards on three occasions and they are regular finalists in the Wales Student Innovation Awards.
Lampeter’s headteacher Dylan Wyn says Allan’s all-round expertise and dedication marks him out as an outstanding teacher.
“His work with the feeder schools is quite an achievement and he helped to design our state-of-the-art Damp;T block and staff from all over Wales come to see it. The quality of his work is fantastic and he has a very high status among Damp;T teachers in Wales.”
The DATA Award Scheme was set up in 1999 and Jenny Jupe, chief executive of DATA says it provides a rare opportunity to recognise the efforts of design teachers. “It is the one time of the year when we say `well done’ to teachers of distinction. All the winners are people who have gone the extra mile - who can give 120 per cent.” For the first time this year the contribution made by teaching assistants and technicians was recognised.
Elaine McMahon a classroom assistant from St Joseph’s RC Primary School in Oxford, Stephen Pinnock the Damp;T “oracle” at Lytham St Annes High Technology College, Ken Priest a technician at Theale Green Community School in Berkshire and Doris Spence a nursery nurse at Crossens Nursery in Southport all received the Exceptional Support for Design and Technology Award.
Paul Barraclough, who inspired the development of CADCAM educational resources at Boxford and Peter Dicker, the director of the Design and Technology with ICT in Education show won the award for Outstanding Contribution to Design and Technology.
Other categories included outstanding newcomer, teacher training and subject leadership.
* A full list of this year’s winners can be found at www.data.org.uknews_eventscitations.htm
Nominations are now being accepted for 2005 and the closing date for applications is February 4, 2005.
For further details, go to www.data.org.ukinsetdiary dates.htmNoawards
