Selected from thousands of nominations, Rob Williams, Headteacher at Malton School, has been named as one of the nation’s most inspirational headteachers, winning a Pearson National Teaching Gold Award. Rob Williams was presented with his Gold Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School on The One Show on BBC One on Wednesday evening.
This focus on celebrating teaching comes at a time when the country has truly recognised the vital work that schools perform daily. Now, these award-winning school staff will be honoured on a national platform.
Rob has transformed Malton School during his time as Headteacher, with all students excelling both academically and with their extra-curricular activities. Malton is now highly thought of in the local community, with demand for places exceeding availability year on year. With Rob at the helm, the school continues to strive for incremental improvement and development, ensuring that staff and students alike are always supported and encouraged to be their best.
Many of the Pearson National Teaching Award Gold Award winners, chosen from thousands of nominations, will receive national acclaim for their incredible work supporting students across the country. Each award winner has repeatedly gone above and beyond their role to change the lives of their students and help them move towards a brighter future.
The Pearson National Teaching Awards, which are now in their 22nd year, 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 teach.
On receiving his Award, Rob Williams said:
“The award is a huge surprise and a massive honour. The process, realising how many people within and connected to our school community have supported my nomination, is very humbling indeed. I want to say thank you to all who have helped me along the way; thank you to the whole staff team – this is a very significant tribute to them; and a special thanks to my children and loved ones for tolerating and understanding the additional time I have devoted to trying to help the loved ones of others. I am lucky. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher. It is a vocation that is so rewarding and refreshing, working with young people who have such energy and ideas, who constantly surprise and challenge you. There is genuinely never a dull moment! And finally, I want to thank the Pearson National Teaching Awards for these awards and the important recognition and boost that they give for the profession, for all working in education, especially in these very challenging times. Thank you!”
Rod Anson, Chair of Governors at Malton School, said:
“We have seen first-hand Rob’s quiet yet determined development of a wonderful community with an excellent learning environment and also his rigorous implementation of innovative ideas such as the weekly Personal Development Activities and iPads for all scheme that help to open up new horizons. These activities and the many partnerships he establishes succeed in ensuring every student in this rural North Yorkshire area can take full advantage of a breadth of opportunities and be well equipped to thrive in and contribute to this fast changing world.
The culture of being the best you can be, while looking after each other, permeates throughout the school with Rob, students, staff and governors encouraging and inspiring each other to strive for excellence.”
Alex Jones, Presenter of the One Show, said:
“We are so thrilled to have Rob on the show and want to thank him for his incredible work! We all know the value of a great teacher, and Rob has proven himself to be both outstanding and inspirational. There has never been a more important time to celebrate the hard work that happens in our schools across the country, and we are delighted to do our bit to thank them.”
Michael Morpurgo, celebrated author and former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said:
“We have long known the impact that one superb teacher can have, the young people they can inspire and the lives they can change. But this past year has shown us all, more than perhaps ever before, the true value of teachers.
“No one becomes a teacher for the applause it brings, and indeed too often it can feel a thankless role. That is why this coming week is so important. It is our opportunity to show our thanks, to praise their endeavours and to tell their stories.”
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said:
“Congratulations to Rob and all of our wonderful Gold Award winners on their success. They have all displayed the most fantastic dedication to this superb profession and truly deserve to have their hard work recognised in this way.
“We want staff in schools and colleges across the country to know much deeply we appreciate the work they do and the impact they have. More than ever before we have gained a real understanding of the incredible work school and college staff do every day, and we are delighted to have had this week celebrating them. They deserve nothing less.”
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:
“A massive congratulations to this year’s gold award winners – teachers and school staff truly deserve the national recognition for the work they do to motivate, inspire and support pupils day in, day out.
“This year has been like no other, and it is because of schools’ hard work that millions of pupils are able to be in the classroom receiving an outstanding education. I would like to thank every single teacher and staff member for what they have done for our children.”
