A former Primary PGCE trainee from the Faculty of Education has been named ‘Teacher of the Year’ by her local authority , after parents at her school praised her ‘astounding’ support during lockdown.

Claire Williams, who works at St Andrew’s Primary in Halstead, was one of eight recipients of the Essex County Council teaching awards, which celebrate the inspirational teaching that takes place in the county’s schools. Claire studied on the Primary PGCE course in 2012/13 and also went on to complete the Faculty’s part-time Master of Education (MEd) degree in Children’s Literature.

She received the award having been nominated by numerous parents of children at the school, many of whom submitted glowing praise for her work, particularly during lockdown.

One parent, whose daughter attends Claire’s class, said: “Miss Williams is quite simply a fabulous teacher.”

“She exudes enthusiasm and puts absolutely everything into making learning for her class truly inspirational. Throughout lockdown she has been sensational – motivating the children and thinking of new and exciting ways to deliver online learning. She more than deserves a teaching award.”

Other parents described the ‘fun, passion and enthusiasm,’ which Claire brings to her lessons, and repeatedly described her as ‘inspirational’. “Where do I start?” one wrote. “She has inspired the children, particularly in their reading and story-telling skills. She makes me want to try harder!”

Another added: “She is my daughter’s class teacher, but more than that, she is a beacon of light during such a dark period.”

Claire grew up in Suffolk and completed an undergraduate degree in education at the University of East Anglia before studying for her PGCE at Cambridge. It was during her last week of school, however, that the seeds of the idea that she might one day study at the Faculty were sown, during a conversation with a teacher.

“She told me that she ‘just knew’ that I would end up studying at the Faculty of Education and that there would be all sorts of great thinkers to inspire me,” Claire recalled. “I never dreamed that I would be offered a place, which almost kept me from trying, but I kept thinking about how she was so sure I would be inspired by the people.”

Claire also opted for the Cambridge PGCE because of the way it “bridges theory and practice, enabling the development of practical experiences in school in conjunction with a critically reflective understanding of theoretical perspectives.” She joined St Andrews the following year as a Newly Qualified Teacher, and has worked there ever since. Throughout that time she has also continued to involve herself with educational research; among other activities she has been a teacher adviser for the Open University’s Teachers as Readers project, and has also been part of the Faculty-based DIALLS project.

Eight years after completing the PGCE course, Claire says its impact on her day-to-day practice at St Andrew’s is ‘as strong as ever’. “Interacting with the most inspirational academics and practitioners sparked new interests, some of which have grown into lifelong passions,” she said.

“At the start of the PGCE, there was nothing I felt more apprehensive about teaching than English. My PGCE English tutor from the Faculty (Mary Anne Wolpert) was, and continues to be, one of the most significant narrators on my journey. Her impact on my professional confidence, passions, and, ultimately, the path I have chosen to follow has been absolutely transformative.”

St Andrew’s headteacher, Bridgette Gough, said: “We are very excited and proud that one of our St Andrew’s family has been recognised in this way. Miss Williams can always be relied upon to give her best for our community and this pandemic has been no exception to that.”