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Nominate a teaching assistant now!
TEACHING
assistants are the unsung heroes of the nation’s schools and there
are 23,730 in the North West alone. Why not give them the public
recognition they deserve and nominate them for a Teaching Award?
All those who make a nomination at
teachingawards.com will enter a free prize draw
with the chance to win one of 5 prizes worth £1,000 each to spend on
books for their nominated school, courtesy of Oxford University
Press (OUP).
Maggie Eyre, who gained a distinction for the TDA Award for Teaching
Assistant of the Year from Cale Green Primary School, Stockport,
Cheshire said:- ‘I came into the role of learning mentor, just
as it was introduced. I feel very honoured, pleased and proud to
have been nominated. The children had to write a bit about me and it
was very moving.’
A fellow teaching assistant and colleague from The Grange
Comprehensive School, Runcorn, Cheshire nominated Brenda McDermott
who won the 2007 TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the year in the
North West. ‘Brenda works within the SEN area of the school
and works with pupils who have a wide range of learning
difficulties. She helps the pupils to gain self-esteem and instils a
feeling of belonging. Staff and pupils feel part of a big family.
She is just the best.’
Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, says a
nomination for the TDA Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year can
give a huge boost to school support staff including learning mentors
and all levels of teaching assistants. ‘Their roles have
changed radically in recent years and they play such a big part in
the life of every school. Time and again we have seen the benefit
that a nomination can bring – it’s a reward that makes people feel
special and the feel-good effect rubs off on everyone around them.’
The Award for Teaching Assistant of the Year in 2008 is being
sponsored for the first time by the Training and Development Agency
for Schools (TDA). Graham Holley, TDA chief executive, is delighted
to give his organisation’s name to this major category. He said:-
‘We are delighted to sponsor the TDA Award for Teaching Assistant
of the Year in recognition of the vital contribution they make to
pupils’ teaching and learning, and the growing number of dedicated
teaching assistants, HLTAs, learning mentors and other support staff
who help our excellent teachers.’
Anyone can nominate an outstanding teaching assistant, inspirational
headteacher, teacher, governor or school for a Teaching Award -
parents, colleagues, pupils and members of the local community.
Next year is the Teaching Awards 10th Anniversary. Lenny Henry, Rob
Brydon, Jemma Kidd and Jon Snow are among 10 famous names pictured
by Rankin, the celebrity photographer, in support of the 2008
Teaching Awards.
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FREE FINANCIAL ADVICE
TRADING
Standards officers in Sefton are leading a special consumer pilot
scheme which gives out free financial advice. Called the Thorensen
Review, the Government funded scheme aims to look at how generic
financial advice can be provided to everyone.
A pilot scheme was set up in the region involving Consumer Direct
North West and the Citizens Advice Bureau, which involved the help
of Sefton Trading Standards through a special Steering Group.
Through the scheme, free advice is now available for everyone across
the borough to help them budget and plan their finances. Accessing
the new service will also arm consumers to help them deal with
banks, building societies, insurance and financial service companies
on an equal footing.
The service also suggest other avenues where consumers can go to
help them make more informed financial choices.Such advice can be
made by just calling a low cost number or by visiting a website.
Sefton Trading Standards Mananger, Andrew Naisbitt said"Everyone
should be able to get good financial advice easily and simply and
this is exactly what this scheme sets out to do.
"The advice is given free of charge and what is good about the
service is that they will not try and sell a product or a service to
anyone who contacts them. They will also not pass on consumer's
details on to any financial service providers.
" By offering specialist financial advice in this way, it will raise
awareness of consumer law issues and Trading Standard services,
particularly in relation to consumer credit legislation.
" Anyone can call but consumers must remember this is only a trial
scheme."
The pilot scheme runs until 17 December 2007 and for free impartial
financial advice, call 0844 581 1020 or visit
www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
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