Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Academy, Aslockton, headteacher Mel Stevens, wins national recognition through the Pearson National Teaching Awards

A headteacher has won national recognition through the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Mel Stevens, head at Archbishop Cranmer Church of England Academy, in Aslockton, has been celebrated as being amongst the very best practitioners in education and and recognised as such by her peers.

She was nominated for Primary Headteacher of the Year and received a Certificate of Excellence.

Mrs Stevens received a hand-written letter from National Teaching Awards president, children’s author Sir Michael Morpurgo.

The letter read: “The work you do – day in, day out – is life-enhacning, life-changing.

“It is also often hard and exhausting – I know that. I’ve done it.

“But I know it can be hugely rewarding too.

“For a child to have a great teacher like you is so important.

“You open doors, shine a light. You spend your working life passing on to children all that you know and love.

“Your devotion to them, to colleagues, to the schools yoiu work in has been extraordinary.

“If I had a trumpet to blow, bells to ring out, then that would be wonderful. But I have only this pen and these words to celebrate your achievements, to express my admiration, so bravo you, bravo.”

Academy chairman of governors, Dr Richard Bullock described the award as richly deserved.

Dr Bullock said: “As part of the National Thank a Teacher Day I attended the academy morning Assembly and had the pleasure of inviting the whole school to give a round of applause and three rousing cheers for all the staff at the school including not only the teachers but also support staff, facilities workers and site managers.

“Additionally I had the great pleasure of announcing that the headteacher, Mrs Melanie Stevens had won a National Teaching Award from the Pearson National Teaching Award Scheme - a unique honour which was recognised or marked by a certificate and a personal hand written letter from the president of the Sscheme, Michael Morpurgo, the famous author of works such as War Horse.”

Mrs Stevens said: “This nomination was utterly unexpected and I am honoured to have been put forward for the Primary Headteacher of the Year Award.

“I am so very proud to have won a Certificate of Excellence, and must add that I can only do this job with the support and guidance of a fantastic team around me and, of course, the incredible children who make Archbishop Cranmer Academy the remarkable and exceptional school it is.

Follow the school on on twitter at @AlocktonSchool Archbishop Cranmer currently have some spaces for September 2023 - contact the office 01949 850627