The principal, Mr. Paddy McCabe, Staff and pupils are delighted and below is a reproduction of the letter from the principal, before today's (21 June 2023) announcement.
'Great news of an award for our primary school.
In the midst of the gloom brought about by the reality of swathing cuts in budget and services, it is nice to bring you some good news.
Two weeks before Easter I was informed that we had been shortlisted for the prestigious Pearson Teaching Awards in the category of “Primary School of the Year: Making a difference.
To have been shortlisted for this particular award is an honour in itself. Subsequently, I had an interview//presentation with two judges for two and a half hours, as a result we were further shortlisted. The judges then visited the school on Wednesday of this week, they were effusive in their praise of the children, staff and parents that they met. What happens next is that we will be informed on 21st June if we have been successful and awarded either a Bronze or Silver Award. Those who have been recognised with a Silver Award are invited to London on 5th July to receive their trophy. All Silver Award winners are put forward as Finalists for the Gold Award which is announced in London in mid-November.
I want to place on record my sincere thanks to all of the staff for their efforts, to our children for their manners, behaviour and work, to our parents for their support and to our Governors for your encouragement. To mark the fact that we have been shortlisted for this Award we have organised an ice cream van to come into school on Friday 26th May so that all of the children can get an ice cream.
Thank you again. Paddy'
The proud staff and pupilsof St Oliver Plunkett's Primary School
