Headteacher wins Silver in the Teaching BAFTAs

Selected from thousands of nominations, Mr Williams is one of 76 Silver Award winners in the Pearson National Teaching Awards – the BAFTAS for the teaching industry.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers, 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.  The Awards recognise teachers, teaching assistants, headteachers and lecturers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr Williams was honoured with a Silver Award in the category of Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School for his outstanding commitment to changing the lives of the students he works with every day.  He was presented with his Award by Kirsty Allaway, Senior Partnership Manager at Pearson.  On receiving his Award Mr Williams said, “This recognition is testament to the achievement of the whole staff team at Malton and to the excellent culture and ethos of the positive learning environment that we have established over a long period of time.  I would like to thank all my colleagues and also Pearson for championing this awards process for educational professionals: giving a real boost to all who are working on the front-line with young people to deliver the best possible education for their future and for the country as a whole.”

In presenting the Award Kirsty highlighted some of the reasons Mr Williams had been selected as a Silver Award Winner:

• Developing a ‘front foot’ approach
• Demonstrating inspirational leadership
• Creating a learning environment which caters for students’ individual needs through a broad and balanced curriculum
• A programme of personal development activities in which students can thrive

All of which require resilience, drive and determination.

As part of the judging process, staff, parents and students were interviewed by the selection team.  Given lock-down restrictions, much of this took place virtually.  Some of the feedback received included:

“I am one of many staff who have benefited from Mr Williams’ enthusiasm for developing staff at all levels in the school.”

“Mr Williams has a very hands-on approach within the school … being involved in the academic, pastoral and extra-curricular side of school life makes such a difference to relationships with staff and pupils alike.  He clearly cares for his school community.”

“Parents value the school’s determination to provide learning their children enjoy; teachers enjoy working for a leadership team that values their hard work. Pupils fizz with excitement when they visit on induction day.”

“Mr Williams takes an interest in people and knows how to bring out the best in them, valuing their opinions and putting the school’s best interests at the heart of everything he does.”

Mr Williams is now in the running for one of just 14 Gold Awards later this year in a programme to be broadcast on the BBC.