AN Irish woman who took over a school and transformed it has received the highest accolade of her profession due to her “inspirational” work in the classroom.
Maire Thompson is credited with transforming Malone College in Belfast since she took over as Headteacher in 2013.
Due to her hard work and dedication she was given the Gold Award for Headteacher of the Year in a Secondary School at the Pearson Teaching Awards - during a glitzy London ceremony hosted by BBC Presenter Naga Munchetty.
Ms Thompson was nominated for the prestigious award by by pupils, parents and colleagues from her school, the organisers explained.
“She has transformed it into a school with high expectations that encourages ambition, and has instilled a renewed sense of optimism and enthusiasm into her staff and pupils alike,” they added.
“She operates an open-door policy, and pupils throughout the college commented on the Headteacher’s remarkable accessibility and knowledge of their lives – including knowledge of their families.”
Ms Thompson has also brought in a ‘Rainbow Project’ at the school, to help provide support for gay pupils, and has been recognised for helping pregnant teenagers and any pupils who have experienced difficulties beyond the usual challenges of teenage life.
At the ceremony, which was held as the East Wintergarden, Ms Thompson was one of just eleven teachers from across Britain to receive a ‘Gold Plato’ award.
It was presented by Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas.
The ceremony is due to be broadcast on BBC2 on October 29 at 6pm as Britain’s Classroom Heroes – where viewers can find out more about Ms Thompson’s work in the classroom.
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