Miss Wife, All Saints’ Academy’s Head of Mathematics, was overwhelmed with pride after discovering she was to be awarded the prestigious University of Bath Project Support Award for Inspirational Teachers.
The Project Support Award for Inspirational Teachers recognises and celebrates the crucial role teachers play in supporting students with extended projects.
Miss Wife has been nominated to receive the award by All Saints’ Academy alumni Thomas Etheredge, who is now studying Engineering at the University of Bath.
Thomas submitted the nomination to show his appreciation for the time, energy and support Miss Wife provided throughout his A Levels and afterwards, going above and beyond that which is expected of a teacher to ensure his progression to university became a reality.
Thomas said, ‘Miss Wife taught Maths and Physics brilliantly, making every lesson really engaging and ensuring that I fully understood the topic.’
‘She always made time to meet up with me to discuss the various problems of the project as well as her teaching duties, fitting meetings into lunch times and before school started.’
‘Her selfless nature and love of teaching makes me certain there is no one more deserving of this award. It is easy for a teacher’s actions to go unnoticed so I feel this award would show her what a great teacher she is and how grateful I am to her for all her hard work.’
The award judges concluded that Miss Wife’s contribution to Thomas’s achievements was outstanding.
The inspiring Maths and Physics teacher has been at All Saints’ Academy for six years. ‘Finding out I had won an award felt amazing, it lifted my spirits and it made me smile all day!’
‘I taught Tom Physics and Maths for two years in Sixth Form. He then also asked me to be his mentor for his Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).’
‘Tom’s EPQ project looked at the future of the universe, focussing on dark energy and dark matter. As his Physics teacher, it made sense for me to be his mentor. Tom did very well and achieved an A*.’
Miss Wife will receive is £500 for the Academy, an invite to an Awards Ceremony during which she will be presented with a trophy, an overnight stay at the Hilton Hotel in Bath and future involvements in University EPQ projects.
Miss Wife is hoping to spend the £500 on some new higher tier Maths text books to help push her students to reach those high-end grades – just like Tom.
Reflecting on her win, Miss Wife said ‘It made me realise how much students do appreciate what we do and, although it might seem hard at times, it shows that we are making a difference. Being in the classroom and helping the children is what it’s all about!’
