Teacher, Nicki Bovey, from saltash.net community school was named Science Teacher of the Year 2011 at the prestigious National Teaching Awards Ceremony in London on Sunday 30th October.
Nicki’s outstanding classroom practice was recognised by both the regional and national judging panels. Students, staff, parents and governors all confirmed during two rigorous judging visits that Nicki’s Science teaching is first class and her commitment to wanting to help all students in her care achieve the best they possibly can is second to none.
Nicki is passionate about making Science exciting, engaging and accessible for students across the age and ability range. As part of a very strong Science team at saltash.net, she has helped to transform the department, making it now “one of the best in the country” according to the National Teaching Awards judges with large numbers of students opting to take Science at A Level, and continue at University.
Part of Nicki’s success story is also about her superb commitment to the wider life of the school. It was her idea to have a school dog and three years ago Max, a springer spaniel puppy, joined the saltash.net community. Max, along with Nicki, has helped a number of students over the years feel a bit better about school or things in general when times have been difficult or challenging. Nicki has also led three World Challenge expeditions to Thailand, South Africa and Bolivia as well as being an ardent and active participant in Duke of Edinburgh and Ten Tors training.
Accompanying Nicki to the star studded Ceremony at the Palace Theatre in London were Heads of Science Ollie Lee and Chris Henderson, Deputy Head and Science Teacher, Dan Roberts and Head Teacher Isobel Bryce. Speaking after the event, Mrs Bryce said, “We are all incredibly proud of Nicki and what she has achieved for her students, for the school and for Science. I think it is excellent that in this new Awards category the first National Teaching Award for Science has gone to a woman. Nicki is an excellent role model for all young, budding Scientists.”
Nicki, who was joined at the ceremony by her husband, Simon, said, “It is a great honour to have been given this Award. I work with fantastic students and staff and saltash.net is an amazing place to be a teacher.”
You can read more about the “Educational Oscars” from my 2009 blog post: http://www.danjjroberts.co.uk/2009/10/29/the-educational-oscars/
Why not thank a teacher and nominate them for a National Teaching Award by visiting here: http://www.teachingawards.com/home