An outstanding and inspirational teacher at an Ellesmere Port primary school is off to London having been shortlisted for a prestigious international award.

For the second year running Woodlands Primary on Eddisbury Road has provided a finalist for the Investors in People manager of the year award, known as the ‘IIP Oscars’.

Sharon Liversey, leader of the key stage 1 department at the school, has reached the short list of seven for recognition.

Attracting applications from Investors in People worldwide in the 25th year of the organisation, the 2016 awards received over 300 entries from 12 countries.

Sharon will be joining the best from across the world in a grand spectacle offering ‘an immersive experience of music, dance and performance’ in the magnificent Old Billingsgate in London.

Those present will travel back to the glamour and flamboyance of the 1920s at the awards, the third to be held.

Guests will be greeted with a fizzing gin cocktail and will be entertained by live jazz and ‘flappers and dappers’ in the iconic venue with its art deco opulence, renowned detailed arcs and riverside views.

Sally Phillips, star of Smack the Pony, Bridget Jones’ Diary and Pride and Prejudice will be hosting the prestigious awards evening.

Dedicated and outstanding

Sharon was described by an IIP assessor as ‘clearly a dedicated and outstanding leader and teacher’ who is respected by all.

She demonstrates skills and capabilities on a day to day basis and has responded to change with initiatives and programmes.

Most importantly outcomes are measured and monitored enabling continuous improvement to take place.

“Results have been most impressive through Sharon’s interventions,” suggested the assessor.

In their nomination, Sharon’s colleagues at Woodlands said she is an ‘inspiring and outstanding’ leader of the Key Stage 1 department who has been ‘relentless in her passion and drive to provide the best possible provision for the children in her care’.

She has led the department overall whilst developing ‘excellent’ relationships with children, parents and staff.

They commented she had seen many changes in her time at Woodlands but had always embraced challenge positively and is able to motivate her team and lead by example.

Leadership

Sharon is also said to have high expectations and strong leadership skills, involving staff fully in key decisions.

Woodlands, which has 75 staff, over 600 pupils aged three to 11 and ‘very active’ governors, gained Investor in People ‘Gold’ standard status last year.

It is said to pride itself on its ‘can do’ approach and a creative curriculum tailored to meet the individual needs of all pupils.

Following a rigorous two day assessment, the IIP North of England assessor said at the time: “Woodlands is a high performing school. Its people live and breathe

its values and everyone leads and works with great passion.”

Twelve months ago the manager of the school’s infant department, assistant head Kathryn Kennedy, was also shortlisted.

Last year the school gained a number of awards including Unicef recognition for its approach to embedding children’s human rights into its ethos and culture.

The assessor said the school’s motto ‘certainly sums up their many achievements to date’.