And
this is what the Teaching Awards website had to
say:
Every
child flourishes at Stephen Fraser’s school.
Pupils consistently achieve above the national
average. But not because they are high-flyers.
The school is also in the top five per cent of
the country for ‘adding value’ to
children’s achievements.
Stephen’s
leadership and management has been praised by
school inspectors, and staff love to work for
him. They say that over the 12 years of his headship
he has taught them always to focus on the children,
encourages them to develop their skills, and supports
them in every way. “He’s superb if
you need time for the family or for illness,”
says one teacher.
At
the same time he insists on the highest standards.
He wants children to “achieve themselves”
and he has developed sport and healthy eating
at the school, enriched the curriculum with specialist
German and music classes, built close links with
the community, and given pupils a say in their
school through the School Council.
He
believes in trust, respect and cooperation. However
he will fight his corner. He stood up to pressure
from the local education authority to focus on
boys’ achievement by proving that gender
was simply not an issue at his school.
Every
inch of his school is adapted for up-to-the-minute
learning. There is a new library and kitchen and,
outside, flower and vegetable beds show how the
children learn from the environment. Even the
old school house has been adapted to house the
local community police officer.
The
school has received three National School Achievement
Awards, and last year Stephen was appointed a
National Leader in Education. He is also now the
support leader for a local school which is improving.
‘He’s
a superb head,” says a governor, “efficient,
knowledgeable and incredibly hard-working. He’s
always available, quick to respond, quick to help.”
In his free time he supports Carlisle United and
plays weekly ‘oldie’ football. |
