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UEL's John Lock named London’s top School Governor

Tuesday 19 June 2007

John Lock, Director of Development at the University of East London (UEL) and Chair of Governors at Godwin Junior School, has been awarded the DfES award for governor of the year at the 2007 Teaching Awards for London.

John was presented with his ‘Plato’, the Teaching Awards symbol of excellence in education, at a ceremony at Café Royal hosted by BBC presenter Riz Lateef, and attended by Lord Puttnam CBE, Baroness (Shirley) Williams of Crosby, education professionals and pupils on Wednesday 13 June.

As a school governor at Godwin for eight years, and chair of governors since 2003, John Lock has been central to helping the school improve standards and redefine its vision, resulting in an ‘outstanding’ rating by school inspectors in 2006. John has encouraged the school to take on big new ideas, such as developing its international dimension, and becoming more environmentally aware.

John Lock said: “Good schools are at the heart of the regeneration of East London. I've been a school governor for 25 years because it is a way of contributing to the success of the place where I live and work. Godwin School is an outstanding example of that success, as is Plashet where I previously served. UEL has always been supportive of me being a governor which is I think a real testimony to its commitment to this area.”

Nina Panayis, Head Teacher of Godwin Junior School, said: “I am delighted for John and for the whole school. He has guided us all in making our school the success it is today, and he really deserves this recognition. John is committed, supportive, a fount of wisdom and a wonderful person to work with.”

Godwin Junior School also won the DfES award for sustainable schools and Karl Bardouille received a Distinction in the BT award for teacher of the year in a primary school category.

John and the Godwin team now go forward to the televised UK ceremony held in London in October.

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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