Primary school nominated in Suffolk’s Raising the Bar Awards

Red Oak Primary School, Lowestoft Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Archant © 2017)

Red Oak Primary School has been shortlisted in two categories at Suffolk County Council's Raising the Bar Awards.

The school has been shortlisted for Suffolk's Educational Setting of the Year, while PE co-ordinator Johnny Lee is a finalist in the Excellence in Middle Leadership category.

The awards recognise excellence in education across the county, and Red Oak's nomination for Educational Setting of the Year follows a glowing Ofsted report earlier this year, in which the school was rated as good.

Under the leadership of headteacher Heather Madsen, Red Oak has undergone a transformation, with 99 per cent of parents who spoke to Ofsted saying they would recommend the school and 100pc of parents either agreeing or strongly agreeing that their child was happy and taught well.

Athlete Rion Pierre shakes hands with Red Oak Primary School's PE co-ordinator Johnny Lee, after he was announced as a finalist in the Excellence in Middle Leadership category at Suffolk County Councils Raising the Bar Awards. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Archant)

Mr Lee's nomination is in recognition of his 'determination, commitment and passion for developing childhood fitness, mental health and well-being.' As Red Oak's PE co-ordinator, Mr Lee has led the school to 20 trophies in the last 20 months across a variety of sports. He also organises and coordinates inter-school tournaments within the Active Learning Trust's Lowestoft hub of schools.

Of Mr Lee's nomination as a finalist, Red Oak headteacher Heather Madsen said: 'Johnny creates an environment of positivity and leads by example with his oozing enthusiasm and energy. He offers extensive support in developing extracurricular opportunities and has even gone above and beyond in supporting children who have been tragically bereaved.

'In my eyes he is more than deserving of such a prestigious award.'

Chief executive of the Active Learning Trust, Gary Peile, praised Red Oak for its nomination as Educational Setting of the Year.

'Red Oak is a school where all pupils are given a chance to shine,' he said. Its rich and balanced curriculum provides opportunity for children from all backgrounds and of all abilities to develop, as they prepare for secondary education and life beyond.

'Red Oak is a fantastic school, providing a great educational foundation to a large number of pupils.'

The awards will take place on Monday, June 26 at Trinity Park, Ipswich.