Local Headteacher Wins National Award

1 November 2010, 06:00

Anthony Hull was awarded 'Headteacher of the Year in a Primary School' last night.

He received the award in front of a crowd of about 2000 people and was picked from 9000 nominees, and 86 finalists.   

Anthony Hull is currently head teacher at Costessey Junior School, in Norwich. He is described as having a passion to make a difference in children and is said to constantly raise everybody's expectations.

He went into three struggling schools to help turn them around and is currently supporting a fourth one. Costessey Junior School was in special measures, meaning it was under performing, before he was made headteacher in 2002. During his time there he has managed to make big improvements in the school. 

Shelia Dreenacre, his deputy at Costessey, was the person who nominated him for the award and she says that he has 'razor-sharp vision and clarity of thought'. She also says that hundreds of children who had low expectations will now gain university places because of his influence of them. Another staff member commented that he always puts the pupils first: 'he is always asking if something is in the best interests of the children.'

As well as influencing students, he also supports his staff and teachers from other schools. He is a National Leader of Education and acts as a mentor to other head teachers. 

The judges of the award described Anthony as 'open, honest and reflective' and said that he was constantly challenging himself to inspire those around him.

A former pupil also wrote to the judges to tell them that Anthony had left a lasting impression on him - 'Without a doubt I am a better person for it.'