Schools
Beacon Primary wins ‘Primary School of the Year’ silver award
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A primary school in Walsall has achieved a national award for its work in delivering exceptional education in the centre of the community.
Beacon Primary School in Willenhall has won the silver award for ‘Making a Difference - Primary School of the Year’ at the Pearson National Teaching Awards 2024.
The school has developed many initiatives and transformed the building to ensure both staff and pupils get the most out of the education experience including themed corridors reflecting the country and the world, reading corners and a fully functioning bank to help with developing real life skills.
Mr. Drew, Executive Head Teacher stated that the building has been designed to ensure children receive ‘awe and wonder’ moments at every turn. They continue to make changes so that the children can access the best possible education.
Beacon Primary ensure that reading is prioritised in every corner of the building so that children are absorbed in books and stories.
Mrs. Chandler, Headteacher at Beacon Primary School said, “At Beacon we have many initiatives to support our children, but to help raise aspirations so that children see the value of working and saving. We introduced our own fully functioning bank, complete with trained bank clerks. We have our own currency with minted coins called 'Beacons'.”
Mrs. Chandler added that the bank promotes financial responsibility and encourages children look after their coins (they earn coins each day) and when it is their weekly visit to the bank, they pay the coins in and can get a statement or balance enquiry.
Not only does the school have its own bank and have corridors that have been described as being in a film studio, but they also have a fully functioning radio station that broadcasts three times a week for the ‘Lunchtime Show.’ The show is written by the children for the children and then presented by the school’s very own radio presenters.
Earlier this year, the school, which is part of The Lighthouse Federation, the largest federation in England was rated by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ following an inspection in February.
“ I would like to congratulate everyone at Beacon Primary School on this remarkable achievement. This award follows the school's Ofsted inspection earlier this year and being rated as ‘outstanding’, this is a testament to the work that Beacon Primary is undertaking to make a difference throughout the school community.
The school has been on a transformational journey over the last few years and the learning environment is like no other, helping to raise aspirations of children and inspire them to explore new opportunities, developing life skills along the way.
Everyone at Beacon should be proud of this award and I look forward to seeing more from them in the months and years ahead. “
ENDS
Notes to editor:
- Beacon Primary School was rated as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted following an inspection in February 2024. You can find out more here: Ofsted rates Walsall primary school part of England’s largest federation as ‘outstanding’ | Walsall Council
- Beacon Primary School formed The Lighthouse Federation in 2021. The federation is a group of nine schools in the borough of Walsall, with a workforce of 500 staff who teach a combined 3,000 children. A federation allows schools to unite under one governing body, where they can benefit from collaboration and centralise key services.
- Find out more about Beacon Primary School and The Lighthouse Federation on its website: https://www.lighthousefederation.com/
