AS PART of the Education Awards, the Standard wanted to recognise those who have made an indelible impression on the education community with our Lifetime Achievement Award.
At a ceremony on Friday, July 12, at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel near Chester city centre, over one hundred teachers, teaching assistants, pupils and parents from across Chester and Ellesmere Port came together to celebrate the achievements of their peers over the past twelve months.
This year’s winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award is Dave Williams, headteacher of Dee Point Primary School.
Dave was congratulated by colleagues and friends from Dee Point as well as last year’s winner CEO of North West Academies Trust (NWAT) Steve Docking.
Of the film Dave said: “It was brilliant, the best bit is that my old deputy [headteacher] looks really old, so I’m pleased about that. I can’t wait to tell her.”
On winning the Lifetime Achievement Award: “It’s quite exciting isn’t it? Yeah it’s been a bit of fun.
“I hate stuff like this, but I prepared something in case I had to come up and I felt a little bit like Joe Biden, you know, because I’m really old, I’ve had about six wees between each [award] and this is the thing you do before you retire or die isn’t it!
“But I’m really excited, thanks.”
Lucy Meacock added: “As long as you don’t call me Donald Trump.”
Dave turned the table on our host briefly adding that he remembers Lucy from drinking in the Plough in the 1980’s to which she added:
“Okay, so let’s not go there.”
On teaching as a career: “Absolutely I would [recommend it]. It’s a chance to be really immature most of your life.
“No, it’s great fun and I also feel a bit of imposter syndrome that there are some cracking people here.
“You feel very lucky and very blessed. I work in a mad place, it’s bonkers and it’s ace. We work with some of the most incredible children and the most passionate and exciting staff.”
On receiving a standing ovation: “That was a bit embarrassing, I think they all just had a bit of cramp to be honest. It was great.
“It was lovely to hear those words [from Steve and others] because we started teaching at around the same time and I am a bit of hermit nowadays.
“I just feel very fortunate to work in a job and a school that means the world and selfishly I get as much out of it as they do so you feel very lucky in that respect.”
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