Distinction for Elaine in NW awards

Elaine Vicary

AN inspirational special-needs teacher has won a distinction at this year’s Teaching Awards ceremony.

Elaine Vicary, deputy head teacher at Kingfisher School, Chadderton, was short-listed for the special-needs teacher of the year award in the North-West finals.

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-needs co-ordinator, and was nominated by the head teacher Anne Redmond.

Although she missed out on the top spot and a place in the national final, the mother-of-two and former Pride in Oldham nominee scooped a distinction and was awarded a glass trophy.

The event, which celebrates excellence in schools throughout the North-West, was held at The Lowry, Salford, yesterday.

BBC TV newsreader Wendy Gibson presented the awards and all nominees were cheered on by a 250-strong audience, including pupils, parents and colleagues.

The 12 category winners will now go through to the national final held in London in October.

Caroline Evans, chief executive of the Teaching Awards, said: ‘I am delighted to congratulate all our award-winners who deserve every bit of praise and applause.

“They are real heroes among their colleagues, pupils and parents and now the wider world knows what a difference they make.”