Teacher picked from thousands of contenders wins national award

A Special Educational Needs (SEND) teacher has won a national award for her commitment to changing the lives of children.

Amy Stimpson, 35 from Croydon, is a teacher at Meridian High School in Fairchildes Avenue, New Addington. She was selected from thousands of nominations to win a Pearson National Teaching Silver Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education.

Ms Stimpson said: “I feel overwhelmed and exhilarated to have won the silver award.

“Although I was nominated, I am accepting the award on behalf of the team. Everything we do is for the students.” 

Ms Stimpson started at the school nine years ago as a higher level teaching assistant, supporting SEND students with language and literacy before she gained qualified teacher status and now teaches the whole school language and literacy development.

Gemma Singleton, assistant headteacher, said: “It was easy to nominate Ms Stimpson due to the impact she has had and the continued success of adaptive teaching practice for SEND and supporting our SEND students.”

Ms Stimpson has now been shortlisted to win one of 16 Gold Awards, which will be announced, and celebrated at a gala ceremony in London, on November 25, and televised on the BBC, with winners showcased on The One Show.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity now in its 25th year, which recognises the life-changing work that takes place in education.

Pictured top: Amy Stimpson with her Silver Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education (Picture: Meridian High)