THREE schools in the district are celebrating today after being named National Teaching Award winners.

Marshfield Primary School, Esta Bernardini, a teaching and learning assistant at Carlton Keighley, and Sarah Walker, reception class teacher at Carlton Mills Primary, have been named Pearson National Teaching Award silver award winners.

Marshfield, in Little Horton, has received The Award for Making a Difference - Primary School of the Year. 

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Staff at Marchfield Primary School celebrate with their awardStaff at Marchfield Primary School celebrate with their award

Ms Bernardini received the award for Teaching Assistant of the Year and Mrs Walker received the award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year.

They are among 80 award winners announced today nationally. Each of the winners has been presented with a Silver Award for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the children they work with every day.

The Silver Award winners have now been shortlisted and are in the running to win one of just 16 Gold Awards later in the year. They have been honoured as part of the wider celebrations for national ‘Thank a Teacher Day’.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Esta Bernardini (top) with her award at Carlton KeighleyEsta Bernardini (top) with her award at Carlton Keighley

Marshfield was judged as an inadequate school in 2015 by the Local Authority with Key Stage 2 results displaying a historic downward trend, placing it in the bottom 5 per cent of English schools.

Today it has a track record of successful school improvement and is currently positioned in second place against all primary schools in Bradford and in the top 22 primary schools in England.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sarah Walker with her award at Carlton Mills PrimarySarah Walker with her award at Carlton Mills Primary

Ms Bernardini was honoured for her valuable contribution to school life, working tirelessly with students with additional learning needs.

Through her work with visually impaired students, she has transformed the culture of SEND support in the school, making it truly inclusive and accessible to pupils.

Mrs Walker became the reception class teacher at Carlton Mills in September 2021, having worked there as a teaching assistant for ten years.

She has revolutionised the learning environment for her children, where they are now thriving, as well as playing a vital role in the development of the new EYFS curriculum.

Sharon Hague, managing director of schools at Pearson UK, said: “Congratulations to today’s Silver Award winners on their incredible achievement, they should all feel very proud of themselves.”

“I am delighted that we can take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate all that you do for the young people in your care.”

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Stephanie Little from Marshfield Primary School with her awardStephanie Little from Marshfield Primary School with her award

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education, founded in 1998 to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.

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