On Sunday 22nd October, Aberdare Community School’s Mr Nathan Keeble will attend a glittering awards ceremony at The East Wintergarden, London, where he will find out if he has won a prestigious Gold Plato Award. Mr Keeble was nominated for the accolade by pupils, parents and colleagues of Aberdare Community School.
The ceremony, hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty with Countryfile's Sean Fletcher, will be broadcast on BBC TWO at 6pm on 29th October, as “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”, and is an annual event that celebrates the very best of the UK’s teaching profession. Eleven Gold Plato awards will be presented across categories such as Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School, Excellence in Special Needs Education and Lifetime Achievement.
In June this year, Mr Keeble was recognised for his exceptional contribution to the teaching profession as one of just 56 Silver Teaching Award winners in the UK, winning his award in the category The Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year.
Mr Keeble joined Aberdare Community School in September 2015 as a NQT. Since his appointment, Mr Keeble has proved himself to be a truly inspirational teacher. Every once in a while, a teacher is appointed whose ability, natural talent, commitment and enthusiasm remind you that great teachers change lives. In a relatively short period of time, Mr Keeble has really made his mark in Aberdare Community School. His consistent innovative and excellent teaching methods have produced outstanding results at both GCSE and A Level. Pupils love going to his lessons. Mr Keeble understands how to engage all pupils and inspire them to learn. In addition to his work in the History Department, Mr Keeble has also taken on the role of developing the School Council. His inspirational leadership has ensured that pupils’ views are heard both within school and through the RCT Youth Forum. Mr Mark Powell, Headteacher, said 'We are all extremely proud of Mr Keeble and his success in achieving a Silver Award. We wish him well in the national awards. His outstanding potential has recently been recognised in his becoming Head of History in only his third year of teaching. His commitment and enthusiasm are truly inspirational.'
The Pearson Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching. Founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam, they recognise the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach.
Michael Morpurgo, Children’s Author and President of the Pearson’s Teaching Awards said: “Teachers are the quiet heroes. By telling their stories, by highlighting their skill and dedication, we can do some justice to them and to the whole profession. Through the Teaching Awards, we hope to enhance the reputation and value of the teachers in our lives, their importance in our society, and thus help to encourage the most talented and committed young people to become teachers.”
Rod Bristow, President of Pearson UK, said: "Great teaching improves the life chances of our children. It's an incredibly tough, pressured and wearing job. Teachers deserve all the support we can give them, now more than ever. That's why these Pearson teaching awards are important, and that's why I'm delighted once again to lend our support to giving teaching the recognition it deserves."
Parents and students alike can recognise and thank the teachers who are making a difference by visiting http://teachingawards.com/thank-a-teacher/ to thank a teacher. Doing so means they will be in with a chance of winning at next year’s ceremony.