A ROWLEY Regis school is celebrating winning a prestigious teaching award.

St Michael’s CofE High School has been named winner of a Silver Award for Making a Difference as part of the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Staff at the Curral Road school were selected from thousands of nominations for their outstanding commitment to changing the lives of pupils.

Headteacher Christina Handy-Rivett, headteacher, said: "I am elated that our student-centred approach to making a difference for the community has been recognised through receiving this prestigious award”.

St Michael’s is an oversubscribed, mixed 11-16, voluntary aided school and is the only Anglican Secondary school in Sandwell.

The school said its strong Christian values and ethos have placed its students and community at the heart of all decision-making.

It has now been shortlisted to win one of just 16 gold awards which will be announced at a gala ceremony in London on 25 November 25 and televised on the BBC.

The winners will be showcased on The One Show.

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration of excellence in education run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity now in its 25th year, that recognises the life-changing work that takes place in education. 

Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “I am inspired by the devotion of teachers and the huge impact they have on the lives of the young people they tutor, support, encourage and motivate day in and day out. "The valuable role they play both inside and outside the classroom has inspired generations of young people across the country to achieve their potential.

"I am delighted to congratulate the winners of the 2023 awards and thank them for the amazing contributions they have made to our communities.”