Trudi Toms, New Collaborative Learning Trust’s Director of Primary Education, has won a Silver Award in the Lifetime Achievement category, and may yet win the Gold Award, announced in the autumn.
As teacher, headteacher, and MAT CEO, Trudi has had a profound impact on the lives of young people and colleagues for over 25 years in primary education in Rotherham. Her career has seen her lead the amalgamation of two schools, the establishing of a new primary MAT and the eventual merger with NCLT. She has touched the lives of so many, from pupils battling life-changing illness, to families facing crisis points, from baking wedding cakes for colleagues to running training for the EEF. Trudi has excelled on every front, whilst always managing to bring “fun, sparkle and a little bit of magic” into daily school life.
Richard Fletcher, NCLT CEO, said: “Trudi is an exceptional educational leader whose career has spanned numerous roles, each marked by dedication, vision, and an unwavering commitment to improving lives. Her career is a testament to leadership, compassion, and service. Her lifetime of achievements truly deserves this recognition.”
The announcement of Trudi’s award took place on National Thank a Teacher Day.
Sir Michael Morpurgo, author, former Children’s Laureate, and President of the Teaching Awards Trust, said: “I am especially proud to congratulate this year’s Silver Award winners. In a world that moves quickly and demands so much, you have chosen to invest your time, energy, and passion into future generations, and that is something truly worth celebrating. Thank you for the dedication you show every single day.”
Bridget Phillipson, Education Secretary, said: “On Thank a Teacher Day we stop to appreciate the extraordinary lengths teachers go to, every single day, to inspire the young people in their classrooms. I know more than most how great teachers shape young lives. So, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your dedication, your commitment and your hunger to help your pupils go on to live better, more fulfilling lives.”
