A SOMERSET teacher has been awarded the Teacher of the Year prize at the National Association for Special Educational Needs (NASEN) awards in Birmingham.

Clare Brun was nominated by Katie Wilson, the special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) at Holyrood Academy, Chard, and presented with the award on Friday, October 4.

She was put forward for her "incredible skills" as a teacher and for the way in which she has supported other staff to better understand students with additional learning needs.

Mrs Katie Wilson said: "Clare works tirelessly to ensure that the students in her care not only learn but thrive at school.  She truly believes that no concept is too difficult or not suited to any young person if it is presented in the right way and with the right support.  She is an amazing teacher and thoroughly deserves this prestigious national award."

Clare was the founding teacher in Holyrood Academy's "Enhanced Learning Provision" or ELP as it is known, an initiative set up in partnership with Somerset Council in September 2022. 

This provision aims to provide appropriate teaching for children whose learning needs mean that they find the transition to secondary school a little more difficult. 

Clare, an experienced primary school teacher, teaches three groups of students and supports them to access the rest of their secondary school lessons.

Dave MacCormick, headteacher, said: "We are lucky and delighted to have Clare on our staff team. She is an incredible teacher and I am so pleased that her hard work and dedication have been rewarded by her receiving this national award. 

"I am even more pleased for the children she teaches as the receipt of this award really shows that true inclusion within a mainstream school is possible for the very vast majority of children to remain within their community, attending school with their friends. 

"On behalf of the entire team at Holyrood, we say a huge congratulations to Clare and thank her for all of her amazing work."