A Barrow primary school teacher is in the running for a prestigious national award.
Lyndsay Venter, of Chetwynde School, has been shortlisted in Outstanding New Teacher category in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.
The award is given to early careers teachers who inspire pupils to love learning and achieve their best while showing openness to learn as a professional.
Lyndsay, who is currently teaching Year 3, has become known for creating a vibrant learning environment with a classroom filled with music, poetry and creativity.
She said she was surprised to be nominated but also felt very honoured.
She said: “Children are at the centre of everything I do. I try to create a classroom that is a safe and welcoming space for all children so they feel happy and secure and can then reach their full potential.
“It is important that children feel it is okay to make mistakes and aren’t afraid to have a go – it is all part of learning.
“I am lucky to have really wonderful colleagues who have been supportive and helpful through my training and first year of teaching, which has been invaluable.”
Balancing the demands of family life, with two young children alongside a new career, Lyndsay secured her degree after studying in the evenings while working full-time as a teaching assistant. Her husband was also studying for a degree and they graduated on the same day.
She then completed her postgraduate teaching apprenticeship before beginning her teaching career.
Chetwynde’s head of primary Reece Edwards said: “Lyndsay uses inventive approaches to make learning memorable for the children.
“She has a fully inclusive classroom where the pupils feel valued and supported.
“She’s really engaged in being the best practitioner that she possibly can and always wants to do her very best for the children.
“She is in the classroom and not just teaching as a new teacher but teaching really well – way beyond her experience.”
She will find out if she is a silver award winner in June as part of National Thank A Teacher Day.
