A National Award for Cottingham School's Administrator

The Pearson National Teaching Awards is an annual celebration founded in 1998 by Lord Puttnam to recognise the life-changing impact an inspirational teacher can have on the lives of the young people they work with.

Carolynn Southcombe, the School Administrator at Cottingham CofE Primary School, has been honoured as one of 80 Pearson National Teaching Award Silver Award winners nationwide. She receives the 'Unsung Hero' Silver Award for her exceptional commitment to positively impacting the lives of the children she works with daily. Over her 20-year service at Cottingham School, Carolynn, a former RAF member and special constable, has become a pillar of support for the school community.

Despite her administrative role, Carolynn goes above and beyond, offering assistance to children and families dealing with various challenges. She leads the pupil 'Magnificent Minds' group and conducts weekly yoga sessions for students and parents. Beyond the school gates, Carolynn's philanthropy shines through her participation in events like the London-to-Brighton walk and the London Marathon, raising funds not only for the school but also for charities like The British Heart Foundation and Breast Cancer UK.