New teacher wins Inspirational award nominated by Peterlee pupils

Relaxed, funny and super respected – that’s how Ryan Gooch’s students describe him.

In the first year of his two-year ECT (Early Career Teacher), he has already made a huge impression on his pupils, peers, school and education trust.

And on Friday night, he won the Inspirational Staff Award at Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust’s special staff awards ceremony held at Ramside Hall Hotel in County Durham.

“I’m really happy to have won this award because it’s only my first year as a teacher,” says the 23-year-old from Peterlee, who teaches biology at St Bede’s Catholic School & Byron Sixth Form in Peterlee.

“I really feel like I’ve found my feet and I have a great relationship with the students. I completed my SCITT training with the Trust and everything I have learnt has been through the Trust.

“I have always had a passion for teaching and always been interested in working in schools and I studied sports science at university.

“St Bede’s is my old school and some of my old teachers still work there, so I really feel like I’m where I’m supposed to be.

“The best thing about teaching is the relationships I have with students – both my biology classes and my tutor group, who are a great bunch.

“Just to be nominated I felt privileged but having read what was said about me in the nomination and watched the shortlisting video, it makes me want to keep doing what I’m doing and keep improving. My teaching style is relationships first and creating a good classroom climate.”

This award celebrates someone who is positive and full of enthusiasm, who has gone over and above the remit of their role to emotionally and practically support pupils.

In this award category all the nominations are made by pupils.  

The nomination said: “Mr Gooch is the kind of teacher everyone wishes they had. He’s relaxed, funny, and always there when you need help, but still super respected.

“He makes biology enjoyable, and his lessons go so fast we’re disappointed when they end. Whether he’s staying after school, running clubs, or just cheering us on, he always goes above and beyond.

“He makes school feel welcoming, helps us believe in ourselves, and genuinely cares about every student. He inspires us every day and we all think he truly deserves this award.”

The Inspirational Staff award was one of 14 awards handed out on the black-tie evening. The Chadwick Celebration Awards are held annually in the summer term and this was the fifth celebration.

Other award winners included SCITT Trainee Teacher of the Year Award, won by Bobbi Bowman, of St Godric’s Catholic Primary School, Thornley; Teacher of the Year (Secondary), won by Dr Rachel Bennett, of St Wilfrid’s RC College, South Shields; Teacher of the Year (Primary), won by Laura Laverick, of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland; Living the Gospel Award, won by Sophie Barnfather, of St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland; Guiding Light Award, won by Sarah McKeown, of St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Sunderland; New Teacher Award, won by Amy Watson, of St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, Seaham; Staff Member of the Year Award (Support/Central Team), won by Laura Bolam, of St Leonard’s Catholic Primary School, Sunderland; Staff Member of the Year (Classroom based), won by Bernadette Robson, of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School, Peterlee; Governance Award, won by Patricia Alexander, of St Oswald’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields; Leadership & Management Award, won by Laura Dudley, of St Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy, Sunderland; Team of the Year Award, won by Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton, Our Lady of the Star Catholic Primary School, Horden, and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Blackhall; Heart of Our Trust Award, won by Paul Baldasera, of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School, Shotton; and Faith in the Community Award, won by Lucie Campbell, of St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, South Shields.

There are places available at St Bede’s Catholic School & Byron Sixth Form. For more information, visit www.st-bedes.org

For more information about BCCET, visit www.bccet.org.uk