Home   Spalding   News   Article

Subscribe Now

EDUCATION AWARDS 2019: Retired special needs teacher Sue Coleman to be a member of the judging panel




Nominations for this year's Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Education Awards have now closed.

Since mid-March, pre-schools, primary and secondary schools in South Holland, Bourne, the Deepings and surrounding villages, Bicker, Kirton, Sutterton, Swineshead and Wyberton have been invited to consider which children and staff are deserving of recognition.

From environmental innovation, community action and classroom support, to academic improvement, sporting excellence and inspirational teaching, the award's 11 categories has been specially chosen to reflect all aspects of pre-school and school life.

Sue Coleman receiving her Top Teacher trophy at the 2014 Pride in Boston Awards after nearly 14 years teaching children special educational needs and disabilities at John Fielding Special School in Boston. Photo supplied.
Sue Coleman receiving her Top Teacher trophy at the 2014 Pride in Boston Awards after nearly 14 years teaching children special educational needs and disabilities at John Fielding Special School in Boston. Photo supplied.

Once the nomination are all in, a panel of judges will meet to carefully look through all of the nominations before choosing winners and finalists in each of the 11 categories for which a trophy and framed certificates will be awarded.

One of the judges will be retired teacher Sue Coleman who spent nearly 14 years working alongside children with learning needs and disabilities at John Fielding Special School, Boston, before retiring in 2014.

Mrs Coleman said: "I worked with children who had a wide range of needs, including autism and physical disabilities, using a lot of communication systems to help them.

"I really loved it because even though it may have taken a long while to achieve a small step, the fact that we and the children achieved it was wonderful.

"When I was at school as a student, you could do community service instead of games.

"So I chose to do it at a special school in Spilsby and I loved it.

"Then when I finished my A-Levels, I spent a year at a centre for children and adults with special needs before going on to do my teacher training college in Watford.

"It was at a time when SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) had moved from being under mental health to education and the college in Watford was one of the few places that offered special needs teaching.

"After my course, I got a job in Bedfordshire and worked there before marrying my husband and moving back to Lincolnshire where I was born."

Mrs Coleman is no stranger to winning awards herself, having been recognised at the 2014 Pride in Boston ceremony for her work at John Fielding Special School.

She said: "I was very flattered to be asked to join the judging panel and it's lovely for me to be able to still be involved in the education sector.

"It's good to see what good practice is going on in other schools and it's very important to have awards like this because they give the children confidence.

"It's also good for adults to have their contributions recognised as well."

Coun Patricia Bradwell, executive member for children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, said: "We have some of the best education providers in the country and these awards celebrate the many achievements and success stories in our schools.

"It is important that nurseries, pre-schools, primary and secondary schools in the county don't miss out.

"So send your nominations in and take the chance to get some deserved recognition for students and teachers who have really made a difference."

The categories are Contribution to the Community, sponsored by Bakkavor; Environmental Award, sponsored by South Holland District Council; Pre-School of the Year, sponsored by Riverside Training; Inspirational Teacher of the Year (Primary), sponsored by Springfields Outlet Shopping and Leisure; Inspirational Teacher of the Year (Secondary), sponsored by Produce Industry Expo 2019; Most Improved Student, sponsored by Worldwide Fruit; Student of the Year, sponsored by Duncan and Toplis; Outstanding Sporting Achievement, sponsored by Double G Clothing; Primary School of the Year, sponsored by Moore Thompson; Secondary School of the Year, sponsored by Freshtime UK; Support Staff Award, sponsored by Calthrops Solicitors.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More