Inspirational teacher of the Year

NAME – Stuart Beaumont
AGE – 27
SCHOOL – Longshaw Junior School
BASED – Park Lee Road, Blackburn
NUMBER OF PUPILS - 310
MISSION/VISION – Success for all, nothing less

GOOD teachers make a difference – and they’re the ones we remember for the rest of our lives. That’s certainly the case for the winner of this category: Stuart Beaumont credits Gerard Keane (now head at St Edward’s in Darwen) for making him believe he could do anything he put his mind to. 

Stuart was born with Poland Syndrome, a debilitating muscle deformity so he only has the full use of one arm, which he thought would make a teaching career impossible.

But at the age of 10, he recalls Gerard (or Mr Keane as he stills calls him) telling him to follow his dreams and he’s gone on to do just that.

Now he’s having a similar impact on his own students at Longshaw Junior School which he joined last September as a newly qualified teacher.

Deputy head teacher Jonathan Berry said Stuart was responsible for improved attendance and a better attitude in the school.

“He is perhaps the most enthusiastic teacher I have ever worked with, who firmly puts the children at the forefront of everything he does,” he said.

“He is determined to model to the children every day that disability should never get in the way of what you want to achieve.

“He teaches not only the children but us as adults too…to believe in ourselves and aim high.”

Judges felt he was a worthy winner of this hard fought category, sponsored by Blackburn with Darwen Council, despite being at such an early stage of his career.

Stuart said he was “over the moon” when he heard about the award.

He said: “It was Mr Keane who started me off in the right direction.”

He said the pupils were very inquisitive about his disability but quickly accepted it.

“It’s very difficult, particularly cutting out things. You do not realise how many times you will use scissors as a primary school teacher!

“Also the relationship with pupils was tricky but I love them and they love me,” he said.

“They asked me about my arm and I tried to use that to help them fight their own social ills…if you work hard and commit to something you can achieve whatever obstacles are put in your way,” he said.

He is a keen sportsman and helps the pupils with athletics, netball and the girls’ football squad.

“I run as many after-school clubs as I can, it builds good relationships,” he said. 

A true inspiration to us all….just as Mr Keane was to him nearly two decades ago.