Anna Oulton, centre, receives her award
A TEACHER who has gone “above and beyond” to help resurrect musical traditions at a County Durham school is among a host of employees honoured by an education trust.
Anna Oulton, Faculty Leader of English at Wolsingham School, won the ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category at the latest Advance Learning Partnership (ALP) Employee Awards.
As well as maintaining high standards as an English teacher, Anna – a former Wolsingham pupil – was also praised for her commitment to a range of extra-curricular activities.
These have included helping to resurrect an annual musical at the school over the past four years, as well as community Christmas carol concerts.
She has also been a driving force in establishing a British Sign Language Club, the Wolsingham Acting, Singing, and Performing Society (WASPS), and Wolsingham Writers’ Club.
The citation read: “Anna throws her soul into her work and is respected by children, staff, and the wider community as a result. She has made a monumental difference to the lives of hundreds of people, and we are very proud to call her our own.”
Anna said: “When I was six, I started dreaming of being a teacher at Wolsingham because I wanted to serve my local community. Working with our fantastic students and staff is a privilege and it is an honour to be recognised for doing the job I love.”
The awards were organised by ALP Director of Operations, Laura Mellis, who said: “This event showcases the dedication of staff who go above and beyond, day after day, in a wide variety of roles, and the standard was particularly high this year.”
The awards, held at Whitworth Park Academy, coincide with ALP being reaccredited with an Investors in People platinum award.
The awards event was supported by the following sponsors: Aircon Group, All in Bloom, Bridge Door Systems Ltd, CDS Security & Fire, CER Education, FM4U, Geordie Signs, IMP Software, Lyreco Group, ODIN Services Ltd, PBL Print, Simply Health, Turner Price.
ROLL OF HONOUR
Central Services – Lauren McMaster (Strategic Lead for Maths); Innovation in Education – Lee Stott, (Lead on Digital Strategy); Outstanding Contribution – Anna Oulton (Wolsingham School); Early Career Teacher – Niamh Blackett (Staindrop Academy); Primary Classroom Support – Molly Sumpton (Copeland Road Primary School); Primary Leadership – Victoria Summerfield (Head of Copeland Road Academy); Primary Non-Classroom Support – Kealey Harmer (Brandon Primary Academy); Primary Teacher – Lorna Rosie (Bowburn Primary School); Secondary Classroom Support – Rachael Cook (Staindrop Academy); Secondary Leadership – Joanne Barrett (Deputy Head Hummersknott Academy); Secondary Non-Classroom Support – Graeme Clarke (IT Network Manager, Durham Academy); Secondary Teacher – Natalie Coyne (Art teacher, Dene Academy).
