Titchfield Primary School teacher Ruth Carty was surprised with a special a lifetime achievement award for teaching today (May 17).
Award-winner Ruth Carty
Nominated for her award by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo Ruth knew she had been shortlisted, but had no idea she would be the winner of the Pearson Teaching Award for London and the South East.
She beat 24,000 nominations to the award and has been celebrating with her fellow staff and pupils today after she was presented with the prestigious prize by the awarding body’s judges.
It marks her 10 years teaching at Titchfield Primary as well as 20 years at St Paul’s Primary in Paulsgrove – where she was also deputy head.
“It was lovely – once I got over the initial shock of it,” she said.
“You see all the other teachers doing amazing things with children and you think why didn’t I think of that. So to get this award was very humbling. I got a standing ovation from the pupils, staff and judges.
“You look back at the magicial moments you’ve had with the children and never do you think in a million years you’ll be rewarded for it. That’s not what it’s about.
“I’ve never won an award like this before. At my old school I was invited to have tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace which was good.”
Ruth was described by the awarding body as “a visionary teacher”, who has encouraged culture, for example with her steel band, which she developed from scratch, and which saw the children play on the O2 stage in London.
Titchfield pupils give a round of applause for Ruth
Head teacher at Titchfield, Mike Bainbridge, said: “Ruth was overwhelmed receiving the award. Right up until the judges came in to assembly this morning she had no idea she had actually won the award. We’re immensely proud.”
Mr Morpurgo’s citation stated: “A great teacher has to have a passion for what she does, a dedication to the children and boundless energy and enthusiasm. Ruth Carty has all these. Here’s a teacher that touches lives and always tries to help children to fulfill their dreams.”
The Pearson Teaching Awards are an annual celebration of exceptional teachers and teaching, founded in 1999 by Lord Puttnam, they recognize the life-changing impact of an inspirational teacher on the lives of the young people they teach.
Ruth is one of three regional winners across the country who will be at the UK final of the Teaching Awards on October 20 in London, which will be broadcast by the BBC.