Thanks to Nat for this latest news from Ryde Academy. Ed
Ryde Academy’s new Principal, Joy Ballard, has been named as Head of the Year 2015 at the Pearson Teaching Awards on Sunday 18 October 2015. The awards were held at the Royal Opera House and was hosted by TV historian Dan Snow.
Often called the ‘Oscars for Teachers’, the awards recognise the winners’ exceptional contribution to teaching and learning. Each of the 11 winners receives a gold Plato Award – the ultimate symbol of excellence in education.
Educating Cardiff
Joy was nominated for her work at Willows High School in Wales which was the subject for the recent Educating Cardiff documentary on Channel 4. When she arrived at the High School just 14% of the students achieved A* to C grades including English and Maths at GCSE.
Last summer this rose to 50%. She is an outstanding Headteacher who brought new life to a school which needed a fresh vision to improve the lives of its pupils and its community.
Now at Ryde Academy
This vision and excellence is now being enjoyed by students and staff at Ryde Academy which Joy joined in September 2015.
She says,
“I was really surprised to receive this award and I am so very proud that the staff and students at my previous school nominated me. I have had such an amazing year and combined with receiving such a warm welcome from everybody at Ryde and moving to the Island, a place which I love, I feel extremely privileged and very excited about the future.”
You can see Joy receiving her award when it is shown on BBC2 on 25 October at 6pm in a programme called Britain’s Classroom Heroes.
Image: © Carmel King
