It’s becoming a bit like the hokey cokey for hospitality venues in Sutton Coldfield. They’re in, they’re out, then they’re back in again and who knows, maybe out again?
The Butlers Arms on Lichfield Road only reopened last weekend after the pub closed due to Covid-19 and The Bracebridge in Sutton Park was also forced to close its doors until July 24 for the same reason.
Now another popular venue, the Farmhouse Bistro at the Mitchell Centre on Weeford Road, has been forced to close and in another development, Mocha Coffee Lounge in Streetly has done the same.
A message on the Farmhouse Bistro website made this announcement: “We regret that the Bistro is now closed for a few days due to enforced staff isolation. We thank you for your understanding and look forward to seeing you again soon. Watch this space for an announcement on reopening”
The Mocha Lounge also added a similar message on Facebook.
It would appear that this is going to be a running theme. There are reports that a popular hospitality venue in Sutton Coldfield has told staff, via a memo, that if they attend a nightclub, they should not return to work for at least three days to try and prevent infections.
Andrew Mitchell talks to pupils at Hill West Primary, watched by headteacher Dr Beth Clarke
MP visits after children write to PM
Sutton Coldfield youngsters have taken their concerns over climate change to the very top of the UK Government.
Year 5 children at Hill West Primary School felt so strongly about the issues, that they wrote to the Prime Minister, asking him to uphold his responsibilities as a Duty Bearer to take positive action to support the rights of children around the world.
The school has since received a letter of thanks from Number 10 Downing Street.
As a result, pupils and staff welcomed Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell to the school in response to children’s handwritten letters to Boris Johnson.
Mr Mitchell visited the school after he passed on the letters – which focused on climate change and the impact on children’s rights globally – to Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The MP joined pupils and staff at the school on Friday 16 July to talk about a range of topics, including the UNICEF Outright campaign, which looks at how climate change can impact negatively on children’s rights, and supports children to voice their views.
The letters were initially sent to Mr Mitchell, as he is both their constituency MP and also has a strong record of campaigning for the rights of people around the world, with pupils asking him if he would consider forwarding them to the Prime Minister.
Acting deputy headteacher, Rhian Warrack said: “We were thrilled to learn that Mr Mitchell did support the rights of the children at Hill West to express their views and opinions, and to have their voices listened to, as he forwarded their letters to the Prime Minister in early July.
Acting deputy headteacher, Rhian Warrack, right, next to Andrew Mitchell and headteacher Dr Clarke and pupils from year 5,
“We were absolutely delighted to then be contacted by Mr Mitchell, asking if he could come to Hill West and meet some of the children who had written letters, and we welcomed him in school on a beautiful sunny afternoon.”
Hill West Primary School, part of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership, is working towards the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Gold Award. Mr Mitchell spoke to the children about a range of subjects, sharing some of his experience of supporting human rights during his career.
The children asked insightful questions on matters including climate change and how Mr Mitchell has been supporting those living in poverty in the UK, especially during the pandemic. Pupils also asked how the MP and the government are supporting children’s right to a high quality education now and moving forwards after COVID.
The children were interested in why and how Mr Mitchell became a Member of Parliament. They heard about the work he has been doing to try and prevent the government from reducing the International Development Budget, and his decision to keep Sutton Park open during the pandemic.
Dr Warrack added: “The children relished their opportunity to express their views and feelings in all matters affecting them to their Member of Parliament and to have Mr Mitchell take them seriously. They are also extremely grateful for his support in putting their views forward to our Prime Minister and sincerely hope that they are taken seriously by Boris Johnson, as they have been by Mr Mitchell, so that they can have a positive impact on children’s rights, both here in Sutton Coldfield, the UK, and around the world.”
Mr Mitchell said: “It was wonderful to meet the pupils and staff at Hill West and to learn more about their work with UNICEF’s ‘Rights Respecting Schools’ and ‘Outright’ campaigns. I was very impressed with their letters – huge congratulations to the children for all their hard work and tenacity. These future citizens care about the rights of all children globally and are empowered to instigate change by using their collective voice.
“The pupils are politically and environmentally aware, so it was an excellent opportunity to talk to them about politics, the world they live in and the issues that impact them and others across the world. There is no doubt that we have some young leaders in our midst.”
David Batchelor (front left) and Stuart Payne (front right) with members of the team
FUNDRAISERS HIT THE ROAD FOR 210-MILE CYCLE RIDE TO SUPPORT ST GILES
Fifteen fundraising cyclists have raised £16,000 to be split between St Giles Hospice and three other charities in an epic three-day bike ride through the heart of England.
The riders all work for Wills & Trusts Wealth Management Group, which organised the trip to support its charitable foundation.
Wills & Trusts Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Payne, from Sutton Coldfield, took part in the 210-mile ride and has a personal connection to St Giles Hospice as his father-in-law, John Simpson, received end-of-life care at St Giles Hospice in 2018.
He said: “The care my late father-in-law received at St Giles was just tremendous – I cannot praise the team there highly enough, whether it is for the way they looked after him in his last days or the support they offered to the rest of the family. They have such a wonderful bedside manner.
“We all know how hard charities have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, so supporting hospice care along the way seemed like a great way to make a difference on our cycling challenge.
“We came up with the idea of the bike ride as things opened up again after lockdown. For the past year our Wills & Trusts team has been forced to work from home due to Government guidance, so this cycle trip seemed like a great way to bring everyone back together and get the team bonding again.”
The team’s route took them from the company’s office in Ashby-de-la-Zouch to its head office in Thame, near Oxford, visiting its other offices along the way on a route through Henley-in-Arden, Moreton-in-Marsh and Winchester.
The money raised will be split between St Giles Hospice, Florence Nightingale Hospice in Aylesbury, Helen & Douglas House Children’s Hospice in Oxford and Winchester Hospice, four hospices based near the company’s offices.
Wills & Trusts Wealth Management Group founder David Batchelor said: “In our business we help families to plan for the future, whether it’s planning for retirement or passing money down. We help people to prepare for all of the different journeys through life and inevitably hospice care is a part of some of those journeys, so raising money to support our local hospices made perfect sense to us.
“Our team included both serious riders and people who had not been out on a bike until six weeks ago, and their dedication and determination has been matched by the generosity of our supporters and donors who have helped us to race past our £10,000 target and raise this fantastic total.”
St Giles Hospice Income Generation Director, Elinor Eustace, said: “We are so grateful to the team at Wills & Trusts Wealth Management Group for their amazing fundraising effort, which will help to support the care we offer to patients and their families living with a terminal illness.
“Their dedication and hard work are truly an inspiration to us at a time when we have never needed our community more, following 18 months when we have had to close our shops and cancel fundraising events due to the pandemic. If any other businesses would be interested in helping St Giles then we’d be delighted to hear from them.”
For more information about St Giles Hospice and the expert care it provides, please visit www.stgileshospice.com
With the hospitality industry still struggling with closures due to Covid infections, there will be a double opening to lift the gloom in the next couple of weeks with a new store and restaurant creating jobs in Mere Green.
Discount grocer Lidl has confirmed that around 40 jobs, both full and part-time, will be created at its new Sutton Coldfield store when it finally opens at the end of this month and a new Thai tapas style restaurant, the Giggling Squid, opens its doors next week.
Workers are busy working on the inside of the store, with completion set to be imminent while the finishing touches are being put to the Giggling Squid venue prior to its opening on Mulberry Walk.
A Lidl spokesman said: “Once opened, the store will create around 40 full and part time jobs for the local area and we look forward to delivering our fresh, quality and affordable produce to the local community.”
The Giggling Squid is opening with celebratory offers. Bookings are now open and diners will be notified the moment bookings go live for the opening week which includes a celebratory 50 per cent off all meals. For booking info, visit the new website at https://www.gigglingsquid.com/restaurant/mere-green/
The Butlers Arms was temporarily close because of a Covid-19 infectionThe Bracebridge in Sutton Park has closed its doors temporarily
COMMENT: We are facing chaos over reopening as cases surge and businesses shut down
As pubs are forced to close their doors again in Sutton Coldfield because of Covid-19 infections, there’s a sense of deja vu as so-called ‘Freedom Day’ looming large.
Last summer’s reckless early reopening of venues and the ridiculous ‘eat out to help out’ scheme should have served as a warning. This was followed by the autumn lockdown and the botched Christmas messaging which led to the catastrophic January and February death toll.
Yet again, this blundering government is leading us down a path to who knows where, as infections rocket.
At the time of writing this there were nearly 50,000 daily infections of the killer disease across the country.
The Butlers Arms on Lichfield Road had to close after a member of staff contracted the virus and reopened on July 16. The Bracebridge in Sutton Park has been forced to temporarily close and will reopen on July 24. It has informed the public on Facebook and with notices posted in the park itself.
The sign announcing The Bracebridge closure
A statement from the Butlers Arms said: “Unfortunately, we were made aware last night that one of our team members has tested positive for Covid-19. Thankfully, they are not seriously unwell.
“We have made the decision to close temporarily with immediate effect for the safety or our team and our guests.
“So far, no other members of the team have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test & Trace but we have decided to close as a precaution.”
You don’t have to be an epidemiologist to figure out they are just the first of many more to come as the virus runs amok throughout the population. Nearby Lichfield has already experienced several pub closures.
This commentator agrees that the country should continue with the gradual reopening, but opinion polls show that people are unhappy with the lifting of all measures and support continuing with face covering and the social distancing, whether it be two metres or ‘one metre plus.’
Sadly, those fears are being dismissed with ridiculous comments from government ministers about being on your own on long journeys on a train where you can take your face covering off and ‘expecting’ people to wear masks.
That might be OK for travelling first class back to your leafy constituency in Middle England, but doesn’t address the reality of the dangers of travel for the general public. Or the fact that many workers in hospitality could be in a constant on/off employment state without the necessary financial help to see them through this continuing nightmare.
Not to mention the actual businesses, like these venues, who have been clobbered hardest by the effects of the pandemic, with many forced to close permanently, while others teeter on the edge. They have the dilemma of self policing, balancing making a living against keeping customers and staff safe.
A reply to a my letter of concern about premature relaxation of all rules to local MP Andrew Mitchell received a reply which trotted out the same tired out lines.
I don’t often agree with Mr Mitchell, but admire his stance on foreign aid, in this case though we are miles apart.
In his reply, he said: “It is clear that we will need to learn to live with Covid and as Chris Whitty and others have outlined, continuing the restrictions beyond July 19 is unlikely to reduce the number of Covid deaths and could potentially lead to a worse peak in the winter months.”
Chris Whitty’s body language implied something else. England’s chief medical officer has warned that Covid hospitalisations were doubling every three weeks and could hit “scary numbers” in future.
Mr Mitchell continued: “Ultimately, although these are not easy decisions to make, I believe that we are now in a position where we can use our own judgement and common sense and I support this approach rather than continuing legal diktat.”
In other words, ‘it’s not our fault guv, blame the public for not using common sense.’ Unbelievable.
With the exception of the furlough scheme, the handling of the pandemic has been catastrophic, but one thing I think we can all agree on is that this is a long way from over.
The new Giggling Squid restaurant will open in Mulberry Walk on July 26
New venue opens in Mere Green with 50% discounts
Sutton Coldfield’s newest restaurant has announced the opening date for its new venue in Mere Green and is offering a 50 per cent discount during its first week.
The new Thai tapas-style restaurant, Giggling Squid, will take over from a former Italian restaurant in Mulberry Walk, and will open to the public on July 26.
As part of their launch celebrations, they will be hosting an exclusive first look at the restaurant over on their Instagram channel on July 23, before fully opening to the public on the following Monday.
Bookings are now open and diners will be notified the moment bookings go live for the opening week which includes a celebratory 50 per cent off all meals. For booking info, visit the new website at https://www.gigglingsquid.com/restaurant/mere-green/
The chain, began in the basement of a fishmerman’s cottage in Brighton in 2002,
Founded by Pranee and Andrew Laurillard, Giggling Squid now operates 38 venues across the UK.
A spokesperson for the chain said Giggling Squid has established a strong reputation for bold Thai cuisine, complemented by a stylish and relaxed setting. The varied menu comprises a competitively priced lunch menu and a more extensive evening offer, as well as separate children and vegan menus.
Co-founder, Andy said: “Thai mealtimes are energetic, informal, adventurous and where food is celebrated. It’s relaxed and there’s no standing on ceremony. Every Giggling Squid has its own personal touch to it, and this restaurant is no different; it’s a beautifully designed space that we hope will bring a lot of pleasure to our guests. We can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
The spokesperson added: “Catering to the community during the new normal, Giggling Squid guests will still receive the same great food, service and atmosphere the restaurant chain is known and loved for, but with even more stringent health and safety policies in place, making it the safest place possible for all guests and staff.”
Giggling Squid is expected to open Monday-Thursday 12pm – 10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm – 10.30pm, Sunday 12pm – 9.30pm.
A wide takeaway menu will also be available for click & collect or telephone orders as well as delivery.
The Mayor of the West Midlands has lauded a new cycle scheme which has been introduced across Sutton Coldfield and the wider West Midlands.
Andy Street praised the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme, despite evidence that some of the bikes were not being returned to their docking station and dumped in the street, particularly in Birmingham city centre.
People have also complained about the pricing which amounts to £4 for a one hour hire period, which includes an unlocking fee.
Safety campaigners have warned of a new danger to pedestrians in Birmingham city centre because of the ‘abandoned’ bikes.
But users say that when trying to return the bikes, the docking bays are already full.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Our cycle hire scheme is providing incredibly popular in Sutton Coldfield, far exceeding our expectations at this stage.
“People who hire our bikes in the Royal Town are using them for nearly an hour on average, cycling more than 4.5km each time.
Mayor Andy Street
“These are impressive usage figures and we expect them to continue to grow as more docking stations are introduced. New docks have not long been installed at Good Hope hospital and Four Oaks Station, whilst we hope to get our planned one for Sutton Station in ASAP.”
On top of a £1 unlocking fee via an app, users are then billed at the rate of 5p per minute (£3 per hour).
So it is £4 for the first hour and then £3 per hour thereafter.
Sutton Park enthusiast Patrick James said the bikes were a good idea, but the fees were too high, especially as its a new venture.
He said: “You would have thought they could have started with a discounted price and if that proved popular, then perhaps look again at the pricing structure. But for a couple of hours riding around the park, or anywhere that hires them out for that matter, £7 is too much.”
The mayor defended the prices and said: “West Midlands Cycle Hire is a new scheme and we are confident that our pay as you go prices are competitive – especially with our offer of the first 30 minutes being free for new users.
“However as we continue to roll-out more bikes and docking stations across the region, we will of course be exploring the pricing structure and seeing if we can offer subscription packages to provide better value for regular users.”
In theory, any bicycle not ‘docked and locked’ will charge you £37 for the first 24 hours it is not put back into position.
The company website show four steps for hiring a bike:
How to ride
It’s easy to hop on a bike to get to work, pop to the shops, or even to discover new places to explore!
On the dumping of bikes, Mr Street added: “Hundreds of cycle hire customers use our docks without problem every day. The very small number of users who do leave bikes out of docking stations receive a fine. We’ve found that following a fine the instances of bad-parking are greatly reduced.”
Martha Davis on holiday with her grandpa Alan Bird
Sutton Coldfield woman urges people to support St Giles Hospice
A Sutton Coldfield woman, whose beloved grandpa died at St Giles Hospice, is calling on local people to support the “amazing” charity which cared for him through his final days.
Martha Davis, aged 24, who works as an NHS Communications Officer, has been a passionate supporter of St Giles since her grandfather Alan Bird received end of life care at the Whittington hospice.
Martha said: “St Giles is such an amazing local charity and they recognise that good end of life care is so important, not only for the patient, but for the whole family too. My grandpa had been there for me all my life, and it means so much that I was able to be there with him in the last moments of his. It’s the moments together that matter the most.”
As well as fundraising for the hospice after her grandpa was cared for by St Giles, Martha also joined the hospice’s weekly lottery, and was delighted to get a phone call a couple of months later telling her she’d won the £1,000 weekly jackpot prize.
Martha said: “Grandpa always wanted to give me a bit of pocket money – even after I’d started earning a wage – as he was worried about whether I had enough cash after I’d graduated.
“I like to think that he’s looking out for me even now and used the lottery as a way to make sure I’m alright even though he’s no longer here!
“I was lucky enough to win the weekly jackpot prize not long after signing up, which was completely unexpected! It’s helped me towards a house deposit and it’s so nice to think that a donation in memory of my grandpa has enabled me to do something I know he would have wanted.”
Martha was very close to her grandpa throughout her childhood and they shared many memorable family holidays together. Sadly, he was diagnosed with cancer and in 2018 was admitted to St Giles Hospice in Whittington for end of life care.
Martha was devastated by his illness but was comforted by the “truly personal care” she says he received at St Giles and the support her family was offered both in his final days and after he passed away.
“I absolutely worshipped my grandpa and the staff understood that and treated him just as our family would’ve wanted,” she said. “It’s hard to express just how much grandpa’s amazing care meant to us as a family. You simply can’t put a price on the love, support and peace of mind that we all received.
Martha at St Giles Hospice with Ward Sister Ruth Abell.
“Every member of staff was a specialist in their field and we trusted them completely. It was so reassuring for us as a family. When we left the hospice we never had to worry – we always knew that grandpa would be cared for just as attentively and lovingly as though we ourselves were still at his bedside.
“We could concentrate on being with grandpa until the end, knowing that all his needs were taken care of and, when the time came, we were given all the time we needed to say goodbye to him and begin to grieve.
“It’s vital for everyone to support St Giles; you just never know when you might need their care. Nobody plans on becoming seriously ill, nobody plans on dying, but because of the support of the local community, St Giles can be there for patients and families when they’re at their most vulnerable.”
Chloe Herbert, Head of Fundraising at St Giles Hospice, said: “The support of local people means so much to the patients and families supported by St Giles, particularly when our income has been so badly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last 18 months.
“There are so many different ways to support St Giles and we’d like to say a big thank you to our community for ensuring that we are able to provide care for patients and their families living with a terminal illness. We are hoping our community will be there for us again this summer, supporting Martha’s Moments Together campaign to help the hospice care for more families like hers in the future.”
For more information about St Giles Hospice and how you can help, please visit www.stgileshospice.com/momentstogether
Selling more than a million models is a testimony to the appeal of Mercedes’ baby SUV. Baby is perhaps the wrong term. The smallest in the range, it is far more than a pumped-up A Class, on which it is based.
With its muscular stance, but still coupe-like lines and distinctive three-pointed star of Mercedes, silver roof rails and 19-inch, five spoke alloys, it never failed to attract attention.
This latest version is a bit higher and a bit shorter than its predecessor, but all models are well equipped and goodies increase as you move up the range with this range topper featuring leather, heated and powered seats, 64-colour ambient lighting, multi-function steering wheel and high-end sound system.
Like all Mercs it hosts myriad gadgets and gizmos, not least its clever MBUX entertainment system which now uses the latest augmented reality software and a comprehensive range of safety kit. It also features highly efficient and frugal petrol and diesel engines and other cutting edge technology.
The interior on this range-topping model is pure executive quality, with piano black and soft touch finish throughout.
Five round ventilation units are meant to offer a turbine look, and trimmed in chrome, are a classy touch. The centrepiece is a 10.25inch touchscreen which is the brains of the car, connected to a touchpad on the central console.
Unlike some touchpads, this one is not jerky and works well, operating key features like sat nav, infotainment and connectivity for smartphones. It also houses the reversing camera.
On this AMG model another 10.25 inch merges with the touchscreen to provide a cockpit style and to deliver key driver information.
The standard MBUX system uses voice control. It can be individually configured with the aid of a range of options for configuring screens and graphics and sat nav with augmented reality and learning software.
For this to work, the camera in the roof console behind the windscreen records a video image of the surroundings. This, in turn, enhances the system with helpful navigation information. Indicator arrows or house numbers are automatically superimposed on the image shown on the media display touchscreen.
The GLA features two petrol and two diesel variants, with this model featuring the two litre, 190bhp diesel engine, mated with an eight-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
It is an extremely lively and refined unit offering rapid acceleration, high levels of torque, 400Nm for excellent pulling power in all gears and lowish CO2 emissions. Add to this fuel consumption of around 50mpg and that’s pretty impressive considering the car is carrying the extra weight of the four-wheel drive capability.
This diesel is a refined unit with barely any diesel clatter while acceleration is very brisk, the car hits 60mph in just 7.3 seconds.
The increased dimensions means there is plenty of leg and headroom while the seats are comfortable and supportive, the firmish but smooth ride means passengers have a comfortable experience and despite its high stance, the vehicle always feels stable with a marked absence of wallowing on corners.
As an SUV it needs to be practical and the seating arrangements offer various combinations, while the 485 litres of boot space can be increased to a maximum of 1, 420, while the sliding rear seats offer extra practicality.
While unlikely to spend much time off road, the four wheel drive offers extra safety, with added traction in poor weather. Actually offroad, power is transferred 50-50 to each axle, giving the capability of pulling a horsebox or caravan on and off a muddy field.
Other safety features include a full complement of airbags, standard autonomous braking to avoid a collision, exit warning function alerting the driver to approaching cyclists or vehicles, and a warning when pedestrians are detected near zebra crossings, plus many more. The range starts at £31,465.
Factfile
Mercedes-Benz GLA 220 d 4MATIC AMG Line Premium
Price: £41,430
Mechanical: 190bhp, 1950cc, 4-cylinder, diesel engine driving all wheels via 8-automatic transmission
A Sutton Coldfield teacher has received a second top award for her services to children and education.
Selected from thousands of nominations, Arthur Terry School/Arthur Terry Learning Partnership teacher Sue Bailey MBE has been honoured as one of 102 Pearson National Teaching Silver Award winners across the country.
Sue was honoured with a Silver Award in The Award for Lifetime Achievement for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.
Sue has devoted her career to the educational, social, and emotional welfare of children, transforming many lives, and in 2017 she received an MBE for services to the community and vulnerable children.
She was the Strategic Lead for the Four Oaks Children’s Centres, providing a ‘lifeline’ to families, by organising transition days, community choirs and partnership events.
Sue received her MBE from HRH Prince William in 2017
A Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award holder, recognised by the Outward Bound Trust for her long service, Sue has headed up visits to partner schools in South Africa through ‘Aspire for Africa Trust’. In 2016, Sue’s dynamic leadership became headline news when she led students and colleagues to safety during a military coup at Istanbul Airport.
Sue has now been shortlisted to win one of just 15 Gold Awards later in the year, in a programme which will be broadcast on the BBC. This is a great opportunity to celebrate the exceptional school staff who have worked wonders during an incredibly challenging time for educators across the country.
She said: “I’m really honoured, humbled and proud to have received this Pearson Silver Award. Thank you to all the colleagues I have worked with over the years, who have supported me, inspired me, challenged me, laughed with me, cried with me and been part of this incredible journey. On this national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’ I would like to congratulate all schools and everybody who works in education for the incredible work they do.”
Sue is pictured (centre) along with her daughter Jodie, husband Colin and colleagues from Arthur Terry School and the ATLP.
Richard Gill CBE, CEO of the Arthur Terry Learning Partnership and Chair of the National Teaching Schools Council, said: “We are absolutely delighted to see Sue win this Silver award. She is an inspirational and dedicated teacher and leader, who has transformed the lives of so many children and young people, both at the Arthur Terry School and across our family of schools. It’s a privilege to work alongside Sue, and we all look forward to congratulating her on this ‘National Thank a Teacher Day’ when we will also be celebrating and thanking all colleagues across all schools for their incredible work, every single day.”
Sue’s work with schools in Africa is a key part of her role
Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell said: “Congratulations to Sue on such a phenomenal achievement. Her outstanding service to education and safeguarding across Arthur Terry School, ATLP and the wider community, has helped to shape so many lives over the years. This Silver Pearson Award is richly deserved!
“Every child matters to Sue, and this was never more apparent than when she helped to secure the safe return of her students and colleagues following a military coup in Istanbul. Sue was calm, caring and courageous – exactly what we need in great teachers and leaders, and it is an honour and a privilege to work with her.
“It is befitting that she receives this accolade on ‘National Thank a Teacher Day’ when we celebrate the valuable contribution that all school staff make to our schools and communities. We are very fortunate to have such wonderful schools here in the Royal Town, filled with exceptional individuals like Sue Bailey, and I am very proud of their incredible work.”
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 celebrations follow new data which shows how the previous year’s lockdowns have significantly changed how families across the country view the role of teachers.
New research from Parentkind and The Teaching Awards Trust highlights that three in four parents and carers have a newfound respect hold for the teaching profession following their experiences of remote learning during lockdown. 74.9% of survey respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they had more respect for the work that teachers do following their family’s experiences of remote learning.
The last year has seen a wealth of stories of teachers making care visits to vulnerable families, coming up with innovative ways of remote teaching, keeping their pupils settled by regularly checking in and even using their school sites for Covid-19 testing when classes did return to school. There has never been a better time to appreciate them and the vital work they do.
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. This year marks its 22ndyear of celebrating, award-winning teachers, teaching assistants, headteachers and lecturers across the UK
Sharon Hague, Senior Vice President of Schools at Pearson UK, said: “After a year like no other we want to take today to say thank you to all the incredible school staff who have kept children and young people learning despite unprecedented challenges. We hope the celebrations today show how much you are appreciated, and that your hard work has not gone unnoticed nor unrecognised.”
Sutton Coldfield Life 