School leadership (primary), Northern Ireland

Citation “She raised her school to a standard of excellence..then faced the ultimate management task of amalgamating it with another and relocating. She resolved difficulties and anxieties, trouble-shot firmly when needed, kept everybody on board. And she enjoys ubiquitous love and respect because that is what she extends to others.”

Background

“Long before I knew I wanted to be a nun, I wanted to work among the poor. And then I wanted to be a teacher, especially of children we used to call ‘non-academic’. Then I became a headteacher - St Dallan’s is my third headship. The greatest joy is helping children to sense the endless opportunities before them, if they will only believe in themselves. Teachers too.”

Turning points?

“Moving from teacher to school management: beginning to learn how to lead people, how to create team spirit, how to communicate with parents.”

Most proud of?

“My second school was called Star of the Sea - a lovely name for a lovely school. But when I started there in 1992 it was a time of intense change in education, and teacher morale was low. At the end, though, we got this wonderful report - an affirmation of the importance of focusing on the positive.”

Any regrets?

“Some of the changes that have been hurled at teachers and schools. Because of them, we have lost many of the teachers who would have been the next generation of heads and leaders.”

And if you win a national title?

“It would be simply wonderful - for this school, and for everybody who might be thinking of a teaching career.”

MICHAEL DUFFY

The national finals of the Teaching Awards will be held in London on October 28, and broadcast on BBC1 on November 4. www.teachingawards.com