Deputy Head Teacher wins Lifetime Achievement Award for transformative work

Greenfield Special School’s Deputy Head Teacher, Carol Conway, has been recognised with a Silver Award for Lifetime Achievement in this year's Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Chosen from thousands of nominees, Carol will now be in with the chance of winning the highly desired Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London and on BBC’s ‘The One Show’ later this year.

Carol has been teaching in Special Education for 30 years and has been at the forefront of developing special education to the highly skilled specialised education work force that we have today. Carol brought approaches back to Wales in early 2000 such as PECS and Autism awareness training.

Her work has positively impacted many children and their families. Lots of her pupils have grown up to become independent and able to communicate which has been life changing.  Her contribution to developing Positive Behaviour Support training has helped to shape the move towards a more positive and ethical approach in schools across Wales and beyond.

Carol is one of 93 deserving teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions recognised as a silver winner in this year’s awards for the lasting impact they have on shaping the lives of young people.

Celebrating the whole education community, National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.

Cabinet Secretary for Education, Lynne Neagle said: “Once again our talented workforce has been recognised for their hard work and dedication, with the silver winners representing the teaching workforce across a wide breadth of education, from Early years to Further Education. The awards for lifetime achievement, for Carol and Lynn are particularly special, highlighting those who have dedicated their life to teaching the next generation in Wales. Congratulations all and I wish you good luck for the Gold awards later this year.”

Rhiannon Stephens Davies, Head Teacher of Greenfield Special School said: “Carol is an inspiration to everyone who is involved with children who have additional learning needs. We are so proud that Carol has been recognised for her lifetime’s work in striving to have high aspirations for all of our pupils. Over the last 30 years Carol has improved the lives our pupils and their families through innovative quality specialist teaching. Carol has an infectious personality and is the heartbeat of Greenfield Special School, we will all miss her when she retires this summer.”