A TEACHER has put his school on the map after winning a special commendation in the National Teaching Awards regional final.
John Law, head of drama and expressive arts at Fartown High, received his award in the Teacher of the Year in a Secondary School cate- gory at a ceremony at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate.
The category was described as `hotly contested' by the commere, BBC Look North presenter Claire Frisbee.
After the ceremony, Mr Law - one of whose former pupils is Footballers Wives actreess Zoe Lucker - said he still felt as enthusiastic about his job at Fartown as he did when he arrived 14 years ago.
"I can't be anything else!"' he said. "The kids I teach are the salt of the earth and just need something to enthuse them and give them some self-esteem.
"I was lucky. I had opportunities.
"But a lot of these kids come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds, so what we give them at the school is stability.
"I have a vision of kids leaving Fartown and - years later - remembering the school production, the steel band, all kinds of things like that," added Mr Law. "But when I tell them I came second they'll say `why didn't you come first?' "
His former head teacher, Warwick Firmin, described Mr Law as modest and self-critical. But he professionally created a climate of mutual respect and aspiration among pupils.
"Young people want to be in John's lessons," added Mr Firmin.
"I have observed him teaching on several occasions and felt the hairs on my neck tingling in response to the quality of personal learning taking place and the emotional support given to the young people."'
* Other shortlisted nominees were Susan Brough, from Earlsheaton High School in Dewsbury, in the special needs teaching category, and Felicity Benton, of Cliffe High Community Primary School, Lightcliffe, in The BT Award for Teacher of the Year in a Primary School group.
Nominations are being accepted for next year's awards. Log on to www.teachingawards.com
