A WIRRAL educator, who is special needs lead at a local Trust, has been recognised with a Silver Award for Excellence in Special Needs Education, in the Pearson National Teaching Awards.

Stacey Evans, from Wallasey, who works at Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust in Birkenhead, was highly commended for her contribution to children with Special Needs at the Trust.

Selected from nominees from all corners of the UK, the win highlights the remarkable impact Stacey has had on shaping the lives of many young people with a wide range of different needs who attend one of the Trust’s 12 schools.

Stacey was surprised with news of her silver award at a presentation held on National Thank a Teacher Day, June 19, at an event held at Poulton Lancelyn Primary School, where colleagues, pupils, parents and Trustees assembled for the big reveal. Stacey was thrilled to be given the award as she facilitated a Wirral SEND Local Offer event with a range of exhibitors aimed at supporting parents and carers across the Trust and Wirral.

National Thank a Teacher Day celebrates the whole education community and shines a light on the exceptional impact teachers have on shaping young lives and the celebrations on June 19 included celebrities, students and schools across the UK paying tribute to all those who work in education.

Stacey said: ‘I am truly overwhelmed with the news of this award. I love my job and making a difference to the lives of many children and their families on the Wirral and at the Trust".

Stacey is one of 102 deserving teachers, lecturers, leaders, support staff and institutions  named as silver winners in this year’s awards. She will attend a Silver Winners’ Afternoon Tea in July, in London and is now in the running for the coveted Gold Award, which will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in November, and which will be featured on BBCs The One Show.

Tony Lacey, CEO of Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of Stacey. She has made so much impact here at the Trust and made a difference to so many children’s lives."

National Thank a Teacher Day and the Pearson National Teaching Awards are run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity established over 25 years ago to celebrate the transformative impact of education, shining a spotlight on the roles of teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people.

Oak Trees Multi Academy Trust is an award winning organisation that looks after 12 schools in Wirral. Multi-academy trusts (MATs) are groups of academies that have joined together with shared values to form a charitable company, with a single group of ‘members’ who have an overview of the governance arrangements and a single board of trustees, accountable directly to the Secretary of State through the regional schools’ commissioners.