South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 29/10/2014

Matt Smith of Meadowbrook Primary School in Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire is off to London to attend the star studded UK final of the Pearson National Teaching Awards hosted by TV historian Dan Snow….

Back in May of this year, Matt was recognised for his exceptional contribution to the teaching profession as one of just 59 Silver Teaching Award winners in the UK.

Matt and the other Silver Award winners, will attend a glittering ceremony at London’s Guildhall Great Hall, to find out which of them has been selected to win a National Pearson Teaching Award, also known as a Gold Plato Award.  The ceremony, hosted by Dan Snow, and filmed by the BBC, will see the announcement of just 11 Gold Plato award-winners, representing the very best of the UK’s teaching profession.

The ceremony will be broadcast on BBC2 at 6pm on 2^nd November as “Britain’s Classroom Heroes”.

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.

Jon Barr, head teacher at Meadowbrook Primary School, said:“We wish Matt luck with the gold award at the Pearsons Teaching Awards on Sunday and look forward to seeing the result on Sunday. He has led our children, staff and school to excellence in the use of technology. Whether he wins a gold award or not, we are proud of the journey he has taken us on with our learning. He has inspired our success with his.”

About Matt Smith

Matt is an exceptionally talented teacher with a vision to enhance learning through the use of technology. The implementation of his ideas has had a profoundly beneficial effect on the whole school. He has integrated advanced technology into teaching and is said to be “transforming our school, our teachers and most importantly our students”. He has led developments in a wide range of projects, all dedicated to supporting the children’s computer literacy as well as their learning outcomes. And most importantly, he has inspired the children to love learning!

Oscar-winning actress Emma Thompson, president of the Teaching Awards said, “I am genuinely proud and honoured to be the president of the Teaching Awards.  I owe so much of what I’ve done to my fantastic teachers at school and university and it is exciting to join in celebrating what is probably the most important profession of them all.”

President, UK and Core Markets, Pearson, said: “Everyone can remember a teacher who inspired and challenged them so it’s important to say thank you.  It is great teaching that makes the biggest difference to learning and that’s why great teachers must be recognised”.