Teacher makes awards shortlist

ONE of the best . . . Kingfisher deputy head teacher Elaine Vicary

INSPIRATIONAL Elaine Vicary will fly the flag for Oldham at at the 2009 Teaching Awards.

The deputy head teacher at Kingfisher School, Chadderton, has been shortlisted for the special needs teacher of the year award in the North-West finals.

BBC TV news reader Wendy Gibson will host the event at The Lowry, Salford, on June 18, which will recognise the top teachers, head teachers, governors and teaching assistants in 12 categories.

Winners will receive a prestigious Plato — the teaching equivalent of an Oscar — while distinctions and commendations will also be presented.

They will go through to the national final held in London in October and televised on BBC2.

Mrs Vicary (52), from Middleton, has taught at the school for 30 years, originally working at Gorse Bank before it merged with Foxdenton to form Kingfisher in 2001.

She is also its special educational needs co-ordinator.

She said: “I love the school. I have been very privileged to see it change such a lot from care to education.

“The fact that the children perceive the world differently and they learn differently from everyone else, that’s the challenge.

“I think what we do well is look holistically at children. We cater for a whole range of needs, not only educational, and we work well with a whole range of different teams to get the balance of education and care right.”

Mrs Vicary was nominated for a Pride in Oldham Award in 2003. She will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Nicola Garth, from Watersheddings School; and Stephen Hill, from St Joseph’s School, Shaw; who have previously scooped the North-West primary school teacher of the year title.

However, the mother of two grown-up daughters said modestly: “I am very humbled by the nomination.

The head nominated me and the fact that so many people stepped forward in support of the nomination is very gratifying.”

Head teacher Anne Redmond added: “I am absolutely delighted Elaine had made the final.

“It is a real recognition of her outstanding work.

“However, she does not do it for the recognition.

“She really cares for the children and goes out of her way to ensure the children get what they need.

“We are proud of her and we are lucky to have her at Kingfisher School.”