Carmarthen’s Canolfan Elfed honoured in UK teaching awards

A CARMARTHEN school has been honoured in the 2021 Pearson National Teaching Awards for its outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

The Canolfan Elfed Inclusion Centre at Queen Elizabeth High School has won the Silver Award in The Lockdown Hero Award for Learner and Community Support, and has been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC.

The Silver Award winners are being honoured as part of the wider celebrations for ‘Thank a Teacher Day’, a national campaign to honour and recognise school staff for their incredible work.

The Canolfan Elfed has a highly skilled and dedicated staff that provide a person-centred approach so that pupils and their parents/carers can be an integral part in planning their learning and school experiences. Pupils have an individualised programme of study that provides specialist teaching and access to mainstream teaching where appropriate. This allows pupils to benefit from the advantages of specialist and mainstream provision whilst working towards achieving their future aspirations.

To celebrate the fantastic achievement, Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Jeremy Miles visited the centre to congratulate staff and pupils and see first-hand the excellent work that is being carried out.

The Minister said: “I am delighted to see the efforts and commitment of teachers and staff at QE High School recognised by this award. I have been especially pleased to learn more about how the school have adapted to the challenges presented by the pandemic while continuing to provide incredible support to pupils, parents and the local community through the Canolfan Elfed.”

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, 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.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board Member for Education Cllr Glynog Davies said: “This award recognises the excellent work that is being carried out at the Canolfan Elfed by the staff, the learners and their families. There has never been a better time to appreciate our exceptional staff and the vital work they do, having worked so incredibly hard during an extraordinarily challenging time for us all.

“I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved, you really are an inspiration to us all and it has been a privilege to visit the centre and see for myself the wonderful work that is being carried out.”

Manager of the Canolfan Elfed Lisa Thomas said: “On behalf of Canolfan Elfed I’d like to thank Pearsons for this award. It is recognition of the work carried out during the last 16 months to support pupils, parents, families and each other as staff. We are delighted to accept this award on behalf of all other professionals in mainstream and ALN settings who have strived to maintain strong links within their communities. In our eyes, we are all stars.”

Headteacher Dave Williams said: “We were very privileged to have a visit to the school from the new Minister for Education and Welsh Language in Wales Jeremy Miles. This was his first visit to a school in Carmarthenshire, and one of his first visits to a secondary school in Wales.

“During the visit we were able to share with him some of our recent successes, including our orchestra winning first place in the Urdd Eisteddfod and Canolfan Elfed’s Silver Award in the Pearson National Teacher’s Awards.

“Mr Miles was able to meet with staff, pupils from Year 10 and students from Year 12. We shared with him our experiences of lockdown and the pupils and students were able to ask Mr Miles, often searching questions, regarding the future direction that education and qualifications would be taking in Wales, as well as asking about Mr Miles’ personal journey and career path and any advice that he could offer to them.

“Mr Miles concluded his visit with a tour of Canolfan Elfed to congratulate staff on their Pearson’s Teaching Award.

“Accompanying Mr Miles was Diane Pritchard, ALN Legislation Manager at Welsh Government, who took the opportunity to talk to staff in our ALN department and to tour Canolfan Elfed. She took a keen interest in the experiences of staff and pupils during lockdown and to discuss with members of the leadership as regards the forthcoming reforms in ALN education.

“This was a really rewarding day for all involved and we would like to thank the minister for taking a personal interest in our school and our community.”

Helen Starkey, Chair of Governors of Queen Elizabeth High School, said: “As Chair of Governors I am fortunate to have regular opportunity to witness first-hand the excellent practice within Canolfan Elfed, so I am not surprised by this prestigious acknowledgement of good work, however I am delighted for our learners, their families, the centre staff, QE High School and the community we serve.

“As a Governing Body we are proud of the inclusion centre and its contribution to establishment of the inclusive ethos and community spirit of our school. Many congratulations to our dedicated team!”