Background

The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, is keen to send a personal letter of thanks to retiring teachers who have made an exceptional contribution to education during their teaching careers.

Nominations can be made by headteachers, governing bodies, dioceses and local authorities for teachers whose outstanding contribution to education they think should be recognised at the time of their retirement by a personal letter from the Secretary of State. Colleagues can also make a nomination through these channels.

It is at the discretion of the school whether this provision is publicised to parents or other interested parties. Again, however, nominations should be made through the channels listed above.

Guidance

A nomination should be made at least six weeks before the teacher is due to retire. It should be made on the appropriate form and describe why their contribution to education has been exceptional.

If the letter is to be given to the teacher at a retirement presentation, then the nomination should be made at least six weeks before the date of the presentation.

Examples of an exceptional contribution to education could be:

  • holding after-school and/or weekend classes
  • being involved in education in the community, e.g. adult education classes, family literacy courses
  • raising educational standards within the school significantly, or turning round a failing school
  • mentoring newly qualified teachers
  • coaching and developing assistants
  • working on integration programmes
  • overcoming adversity
  • building links with other schools in the community.

Specific examples of why the teacher has been nominated should be accompanied by evidence to support the nomination.

What to do next

The nomination form should be completed and sent to the Terms and Conditions division.

Contact details

Terms and Conditions Division
2nd floor, Area B
Department for Education, Mowden Hall
Darlington
DL3 9BG
Telephone: 01325 735661