National award for outstanding supply teacher

Peter Dickinson (41) from Chorley in Lancashire has been voted the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) ëSupply Teacher of the Yearí.

Peter Dickinson has been working through Select Education since 1997 teaching English in a number of secondary schools in Preston. Peter was working towards becoming a fully qualified teacher when he realised that he could gain the teaching experience he needed through working as a supply teacher while continuing in his current job. Select Education, the largest UK education recruitment consultancy, nominated him for his professionalism and his outstanding work in local schools over the last eight years.

The ëSupply Teacher of the Yearí award is part of National Temporary Workers Week (6-10 June), which aims to highlight the variety and skills of workers placed through the UKís recruitment consultancies. Temporary workers entered for the awards were judged on their professional attitude, flexibility and keenness to fit into the workplace. Judges also looked for examples where they had performed above and beyond the call of duty. Peter Dickinson collected his award yesterday (8 June) at a champagne reception in the House of Commons Membersí Room.

Gareth Osborne, Managing Director, REC says ëPeter Dickinson is an extremely worthy winner and I am delighted to name him ëSupply Teacher of the Yearí. Increasingly, high quality candidates like Peter are being drawn into this lifestyle and events like this give us a rare opportunity to highlight the value that the army of one and a half million temporary and flexible staff contribute to the UK workplace.í

According to Bob Wicks, Chair of Select Education plc, Peter embodies professionalism, ëPeterís teaching skills, professionalism, classroom management and reliability are second to none. He consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty and is a real example to others. Around 10% of teaching staff are estimated to work on a flexible basis like Peter and this type of recognition of their important role in education and the benefits supply teachers like Peter bring to children locally and nationally is long overdue.í

Steve Roe, Head of City Of Preston High School commented, ëPeterís teaching ability is first class; he is a consummate professional. His lesson plans are meticulous and he has excellent classroom control in all circumstances.í